SOUTH SEA NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10289, 21 February 1895, Page 4

SOUTH SEA NEWS.

(Psst United Fkess Association.)

Auckland, February 20.

The Herald's Tongan correspondent reports under date February 9 :—The British Consul returned from Haapat ta-dsy. The native charged with the murder of Mr Low, at Lifnraa, was t'oujid guilty and condemned to death. The sentcr.co was to have been carried into effect to-day. The unfortunate man pleaded thiit he was drunk at the time, and did not know what he was doiDg. Arisicg oat of this the To»(tan Government brongat a charge in the DepHty-Commissioner'a Conrt against George Middleman far selling liquor to a nr.tive. He was found guilty and sentenced to pay a fine of £12, or to bet iinprinoned for three months, with hard labour, and, in addition, to give security for £100 to be of good behaviour for one year, or be imprisoned for six months, with hard labour.

It is reported from Samoa by the Upolu that a my»terious epidemic of a aerioug nature is prevailing there amongst the white people. When tho Upolu left 11 deaths had occurred aruuogat the white population at Apia, amongat those carried off b&ing the wife ot the British Consul. The complaint in e&id to be a aort of fever, with racking pains.

Tho general elections for the Municipal Council, which take place here every alternats year, have been held. Great intereat was taken in the confceate, and, as usual, the event was marked by strong international feeling. For the western district the German ticket that io, nominees of the German firms—proved victorious, Messrs Ertei, Conradt, and Adams being elected by large majorities. For the eastern district. The Anglo-American " ticket" was successful, Meo3«i Carruthers, Garr, and Hetherington being elected. The council is therefore eqnally divided between German and non-German, but as President Schmidt is a German the advantage ib with the Teuton*, they being four to three. It is said Mr Gurr's eleotion io to be disputed. H.M.S. Wallaroo armed at Apia from Auckland on the 2nd iast. During the passage, when ahout 100 miles south of Tonga, the warship fell in with a hurricane, but suffered no damage, though it was a most uncomfortable time for those on board, owing to the pitching end roiling of the vessel, the Wallaroo being noted for having a peculiar motion when in a heavy saa-wsv. The health of the crew had not improved, as there were quite a number on the sick list, which waa being added to daily. The boatswain of the ship arrived by the Upolti on sick leave.

Late news from Fiji reports that so far nothing has been heard of the Auckland-built schooner Oceaca, which was blown to sea from Levuka in the recent hurricane after having had her masts out away. Captain Lancaster and a native crew were on board, and are believed to have all perished. Captain Lancaster traded to Fiji as far back as 1875 in the barque Meteor, and afterwards had charge of the Wesleyan mission brig John Wesley in the islands.