FIJI ISLANDS.

Waka Maori, Volume 11, Issue 12, 22 June 1875, Page 137

FIJI ISLANDS.

The Prevalence of Measles.

Cultivation of Maize.

Our files of Fiji papers are to the 12th May, from which we make the following selection of news:A great deal of maize is now on hand at most of the plantations, the many calms we have experienced of late preventing the small coasters plying their usual trade. Several thousand bushels are waiting shipment, so there is plenty of freight for the colonial vessels trading to this port. Mr. Ilorton is convalescent. He has for some time been an acute sufferer from dysentery, but during the past few days he has picked up wonderfully, and resumed his active commercial business. A gentleman, who recently arrived at Levuka from tiio Kewa, states that ihc measles arc fast disappearing from th;it district; that the natives are about again as usual, and are actively employed in cultivation and exportation of produce. A sample of resembling the kauri, has been brought to the J< /jTimes office, and is an average sample. ~\Ve believe several tons have been obtained, and will be exported, probably to America, where the best mart exists for the disposal of this article of commerce. The erection of a Good Templars' Hall is being proceeded with, and the foundation piles and plates have been firmly fixed. The framework has been ' commenced upon, and as the timber is all to hand its speedy completion may be anticipated. The building will be 50 feet by 30 feet, and will allow of a spacious platform, a gallery, and two convenient ante-rooms. A boy died from dysentery on board H.M.s. "JBlanche," on her downward trip. She called at Norfolk Island, where it was learned that an epidemic of measles had occurred after the visit of the" Dido," but fortunately no death happened on the island. The eldest daughter of Mr. William ITennings, o£ Loma Loma, has died from congestion of the caused by an attack of measles. Things are looking dull in the Loma Loma district; measles and dysentery have been bad on the plantations, but casualties have been less than on the island of Ovalau. Owing to the attention paid to natives, and the kindness rendered to them by Messrs. Lcviek and a great deal of life has been saved. Native fruits are becoming more plentiful: any quantity of oranges, pineapples, &c., are coming into the market. This tact is satisfactory, as it shows the convalescent natives are getting about, and again renewing their labours in the bush and out-districts.

The building trade is at present brisk in Levuka. "Word has been received from Taviuni/by a boat which arrived recently, that a quantity of maize awaits shipment, and planters are inconvenienced by no boats arriving; there is freight therefore for any number of small craft. Sir Arthur G-ordon and suite are expected to arrive in Levuka about the 16th June. He will be conveyed thither by the " Pearl," but the " Barracouta " will replace her. The Times says : —" Although we are happy to state that the measles have now almost, if not entirely, died out on the island of Ovalau, we are constantly in receipt of news of its terrible ravages in the surrounding islands, and while it is difficult to arrive at an estimate of the number of the deaths, we cannot believe that it will be found to be less than one-third of our entire population, when the angel of death has ceased to hover o'er us. As may be easily imagined, many of the details of the progress of the disease in the native towns are very sickening, in many cases the pest-stricken natives being entirely neglected by their relations and friends, either through their inability to assist in consequence of whole families being stricken at the same time, or through fear of catching the dysentery, which in nine cases out of ten sets in after the measles have left the patient. Out of a population of 300 at !Na Korovou, at the south end of Taviuni, seventy-five had died up to the date our informant left; and on the east side of Yiti Levu, commencing at Namalata, to the small island of Qama, a distance of some twenty miles along the coast, 180 have succumbed." —Weelcly News.