News from Fiji.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5485, 5 December 1885, Page 4

News from Fiji.

« SERIOUS DROUGHT. [Per Press Association.] (Per s.s. Arawata, via Auckland.) AUCKLAND, Dec. 4. Reports have been received from various quarters in the group, giving an alarming account of the serious state which produce and vegetation are in, owing to long continued drought. Should rain not come soon the natives will be compelled to leave the island and go over to Manilland. In all districts complaints are made of the smallness of the cocoanut crop, the nuts not being much larger than a man's fist. This state of affairs will tell materially on the collection of native taxes. Reports as to the state of the country for want of rain are lamentable. Even on fertile and evergreen Taruni the streams have dried up, grass has disappeared, and stock have to be hand-fed on fodder brought in from the dense scrub. H.M.S. Miranda arrived in Suva from Samoa, after a passage of four days, under

command of Captain J. Paul, who reports that affairs in Samoa are quiet and more settled thanfor years. The Miranda subsequently took her departure for Sydney. Another serious riot has occurred among the Polynesian labourers at Suva. The combatants were armed with knives and clubs. The fight was stopped by European residents, and the rioters fled, leaving one of their number on the ground in an unconscious state from the number and character of his wounds. He was carried to the hospital, where he now lies in a precarious state. News has recently come to hand confirming in a great measure the report first received as to the disastrous effects of bush fires which have devastated the northern portion of Bau province. An investigation since held by Mr Tripp, S.M., has clearly traced these fires to native agency, and compensation has been awarded for damage.