SOUTH SEA ISLAND NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2103, 14 June 1894, Page 21

SOUTH SEA ISLAND NEWS.

Auckland, June 8. The news brought by the Taviuni from Fiji is not of any particular interest. On Mafe£o several shocks of earthquake were felt on Tfoe hills around Levuka, but were not so perceptible on the flat. H.M.S. Ringdove arrived at Suva, from Sydney and Norfolk Island, on May 26, and was to leave for the Gilbert group about the 4-th inst. to bring the deputy-commissioner to Suva. The Australian delegates to the Canadian Conference, who were passengers by the Canadian mail steamer Arawa, were entertained by his Excellency the Governor at luncheon on May 22. On May 21 and 29 four natives were executed in Suva G- 101 for murder, death being instantaneous in each case. It is stated to be worthy of notice that between the date of sentence and the execution the culpritß increased very materially in weight, so it would appear mental anxiety certainly did not trouble them much. A high Samoan chief named Tekuka, a son of King Malietoa, died of oonsumption at Suva on May 23, and was buried the following day, Deceased, who was a single man

about 30 years of age, had been Buffering from the disease for about 12 months.

News received at Suva from the Gilbert Islands states that the commissioner has hvn engaged at Butaritari with a debts inqiiry (the debts of natives to f6reigncrs), and tho introduction of law 3 amongst the natives. Tho establishment of schools for natives has been a matter of great importance, but neither tho Hawaiian nor the Catholic mission can provide the requisite teachers. The commissioner is at present awaiting the arrival of a gunboat to visit the islands south of Butaritari. In tho island of Butaritari law and order prevail. The southern islands of the Gilbert group are still suffering from drought.