FIJI NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5553, 15 January 1879, Page 2

FIJI NEWS.

(PER PRESS AGBNCT),

Auckland, Monday.

The Agnes Donald, schooner, from Levuka, arrived at eleven 'o’clock. She brings news from Levuka to the 4th instant. The schooner Tubal Cain, recently wrecked at Ono Island, is being repaired rapidly, and is expected shortly in Levuka. The damage is not so great as was expected. The schooner Magolla Island, with maize, sailed for Auckland on the 3rd, and the schooner Winifred is to leave on the sth’ for the same port. At the enquiry into the wreck of the Tubal Cain the Court recorded a very severe censure on the master, James Lewis, for an error of judgment in attempting to go to windward of low islands like the Ono group, and for want of caution on entering the Fijian group. Mr, H. Thurston, postmaster at Fiji, met with a serious and probably fatal accident. He was outriding, when his horse shied and bolted, throwing the rider with considerable violence, his head coming in contact with the iron wire stays of a flagstaff, from which he received a severe scalp wound. The other portions of his body were much bruised. Two severe shocks of earthquake have been experienced, doing serious damage. Several large sugar mills have recently been started at Levuka.

Diphtheria is very prevalent at Kaudavau. A large number of natives have suceumbed to its iusiduous attacks.

The schooner D..phne has returned from a cruise to the Now Hebrides and Solomon. During the passage from Havannah Harbor the Daphne had a very narrow escape from a collision with a vessel. On a dark and stormy night we descried a vessel lying to. From her position it was imagined she was on Cook Reef, and we bore down to assist her, when her yards were immediately hauled round, and she crossed the Daphne’s bows, bringing up ahead of her. There was but little room to spare, and it was lucky for the brig that there was any, or the old Daphne’s timbers would have told a tale on the Janet Stewart reef. Remained off Aurora two days, during which fifteen immigrants were landed at the town of Leto, their own town having been destroyed during the wars which have occurred in their absence. On the 6th July off Vanua Lavu, and noticed signal fires near Aoreas Bay ; stood in and sent a boat ashore, but could get no men. The natives offered pigs and ooooanuts. On the mate offering to buy the former, some of the natives left to fetch them, and he put off a little from the shore to await their return, when one of the natives who had just reached the scrub turned and fired his musket at the boat. The crew threw themselves down in the boat aud returned the fire over the gunwale. Several volleys were then exchanged. These men were returned laborers from Queensland, and spoke English. On arrival at the Solomons heard particulars of Townsend’s death. The boy who was with Townsend received eight spear wounds; notwithstanding which he recovered. Fever and ague have been very prevalent. The Marion Kenny had left for Fiji three weeks before. The returned laborers from Fiji give that place a very bad name. Proceeded to Marau Sound on 10 th. White traders coming on board report that there is a skull hunting expedition on a visit to Thousand Ship Bay. Heard a story of a chief demanding pay from a pearl shell diver to permit him to dive for shell. The diver refused, aud appealed to the captain of H.M.S. Beagle, who adopted his view of the case, aud sent a message to the chief to prevent the diving at his peril. Labor is very scarce at Fiji. Fortunately over 200 natives have engaged themselves at Kaadavau sugarmill, erected at Rewi by Wateraton. The rollers are expected to crush sufficient cane to manufacture four tons of sugar daily. Four hundred coolies are expected from India early this year. Polynesian labor continues to be preferred by the planters. Two gentlemen have arrived from Ceylon to commence coffee-planting. Thomas Keel, an old settler at Natewa Bay, formerly of New Zealand, was accidentally drowned.

A number of suicides have taken place among the natives in consequence of the oppression to which they are subjected by their chiefs in connection with the native taxation scheme.

The Fiji Times, in a leading article, says if any conclusion may be arrived at from indications presented by the first meeting of the Legislative Council, a busy time is in store for its members. Ordinances are to be proposed, others amended ; questions to be asked, some of which will sufficiently tax the ingenuity of those called upon to reply to them. The financial statement has yet to be brought forward, being held in abeyance, evidently awaiting communication from the Governor. If members do their duty the sittings will extend over a period comparatively lengthy. The work to be done will demand their closest and most serious attention. The country is to be congratulated upon the fact another labor ordinance is promised ; this time in connection with the Fijian supply. From the fact that it is not a repealing Bill which the Colonial Secretary has been instructed to submit, great confidence may be felt that the provisions of the proposed

enactment point in the direction of restriction. No doubt some provisions have been found whereby Sir Arthur Gordon’s favorite idea, that laborers shall not leave the district in which they are born, will be carried out.