PRESENT STATE OF FIJI.

Wanganui Herald, Volume V, Issue 1429, 26 March 1872, Page 2

PRESENT STATE OF FIJI.

(From a correspondent to D. S. Cross). Leytjka, February 13. At no time, since the first settlement of white persons in these islands, has there prevailed such a sense oi insecu- ' rity as that which exists to-day. Day by day the discontent grows stronger against the rulers, who, in spite sf all entreaties, more and more prominently expressed, still retain the reins of power, and seemingly are determined to initiate for the white residents an abominable system of oppression and espionage of the greatest intolerance. Dissatisfaction is the prevailing theme, abuse of the men who are dubbed "Ministers;" and those whose misfortune it is to become Government employees are censured in no measured terms by all and every one with whom they come in contact. Tn many instances the civil servants are finding their quarters very warm. On Saturday, one of the Civil Servants, who prides himself upon his pugilistic prowess, came to grief. In a drunken brawl at an hotel on the Beach at midnight, he was ready to fight all and singular ; and in an encounter with "Favu. Savu Smith" received a dislocation of the right elbow-joint. Nice amusement your readers will think, for a Civil Servant. However, of that stamp are our officials composed. This afforded practice for the doctors, and it is reported that the gentleman is ■ doing well under the hands of Dr Mitchell. All Government officials are armed with the most approved Snider rifles and revolvers of the latest English and American patterns. Levuka harbor has, of late, been the scene of many a wouldbe naval engagement, equalling i n importance, as a facetious friend of mine observed, the Battle of Trafalgar Although this powerful (?) Government has not been in existence a year, and never recognised by any foreign Power, or the British colonies, it yet boasts of its numerous fleet of war vessels. This notable fleet is under the command of Admiral Hedstrom, who also performs the functions of pilot and harbormaster. A vexed question has arisen in reference to levying harbor dues. The Vivid has a suitable armament," -j sundry brass cannonades, and is used/ for the purpose of overhauling British ships trading to the colonies, and other places among the group of islands in these waters. The Vivid has often proved herself to be a "fast sailer." and invariably overtakes her prey before getting clear of the harbor, when one or more guns are fired from the Vivid This is the means of making her defenceless adversary heave-to. A parley ensues—a Government barge, pulled by a score of Fijians, bears down upon the scene, when the like number of civil servants, armed to the teeth, who are in the stern of the boat, gallantly board the prize and extort from the capt-iin his modicum of « filthy lucre." This civil servant corps are enrolled for the purpose of throwing aside the pen -\t any moment for the sword. They -u-e under the command of Captain Henry Freeman. J

The present Attorney-General for

Fiji is Colouel Hamilton, who was until lately a violent oppositionist, but, who chdjjred his polities immediate]}' upon being put into office.

No less than four members of Parliament have accepted Government appointments, and still retain their seats' in the Legislative Assembly. The Chief Clerk of Treasury Department, John Campbell McCal'lum, was recently charged with embezzlement. The jury when called upon for their verdict acquitted the prisoner, and appended a rider to their decision, severely censuring the Ministers for the incompetence which they had exhibited in their attempts to administer the affairs of the nation.

The Solomon Islanders, who captured the ' Meva' and foully murdered those who were in charge, have been brought uj3 before his Honor judge Norwood. The original number reached 40, but the rifle practice indulged in at the time of their capture on the island of Bega thinned their rauks, and two deaths from emaciation have also taken place' recently. The mockery of Coroners'inquests was held upon the two bodies of those natives who died in Levuka. The

evidence tendered to the jury was of a

certain character, and verdicts in each instance returned of " Death by natural causes," thus exonerating those who confined them as close prisoners from blame. A thrill of horror however shot through the breasts of every juryman tvhen called Upon to view tlie remains. In each case perfect skeletons were ex-

hibited, with the addition of the natural

skin. This clearly showed that their deaths had arisen from starvation. And in parading those that still remained in the Court House 'the greatest commiseration was felt . for their unhappy condition. I must tell you that, in this happy land, religion and justice are so happily blended that that the Wesleyan Mission church, Used ?s a place of worship by the Fijians, has been converted into a Supreme Court house. A difficulty, however, an>se in proceeding with their trial on the charge of murder; inasmuch as no interpreter could be secure i who is thoroughly conversant with their language. That being laid before the Jiidge, he directed their remand for one "^jf".{ in order that that efforts might be made in the meantime to secure the services of a reliable interpreter. —" Gazettes Extraordinary" are issued every few days warning the people not to do this, or not to do that, as the case may be. Sometimes these edicts are signed by J. C. Smith, on

another occasion by S. C. Bart, and, lastly, our new Attorney-General comes out of his shell, and tells the community that no public meetings are to be held. This last announcement from the Government warns all "good citizens that the privately or publicly assembling .

. . . is contrary to law, and punishable with heavy penalties*; and that any and every person found guilty of having taken part in any such illegal

act will be prosecuted with the utmost rigor of the law." The abundance of paper money which now floods the town of Levuka is found to be a crying evil. The Government arc doing their utmost to circulate their paper among the people, and, notwithstanding the efforts made to check them in this fatal policy.

they still issue paper for all claims made upon them. Whatever the sums of

money may be that are collected in coin from taxation, and eventually finds its way into the Treasury, none of it seems

ever to be paid away to the public.—A formidable Volunteer movement has been set on foot within the last few days and already upwards of one hundred members have joined the association. Although it is supposed to be based on a similar footing as volunteer corps in Great Britain or the colonies, yet this step is taken ostensibly for the purpose of being the nucleus of a powerful Opposition to the present holders of administrative power. It is given out that Mr Woods, or Lieutenant Woods, or the Hon G. A. Woods, has proceeded to Sydney as Ambassador Extraordinary from

Fiji to New South Wales, armed with powei's from bis Fijian Majesty T£- treat for loans—advances fo^ bullion for State purposes. In addition thereto he is provided with credentials' from the highest personages in the country to the

representatives of banking institutions

in Sydney and Melbourne, with a view of inducing several of those corporations to commence operations in Levuka. Ho is also to interview Commodore Sterling in order if possible to induce him to permanently placeone of Her Britannic M; - jesty's ships of war among those islands. The natives are perfectly harmless here ■ —at least the country is declared to be by the Government in a perfectly state of tranquillity. If this country is ever to progress it will be in consequence of the introduction of the energetic and in"defatigable -white race; and, as the geographical position of these islands places them in frequent communication with the British colonies of New South Wales, Victoria, and New Zealand, it is from those eoiintries that the majority

of our new arrivals will come. Therefore the wealth of this country, the latent resources of these fertile islands, must be developed by British subjects. The country has been steadily drained of its floating wealth, until there is none left to tell the tale, of its former abundance. Practically there is no gold or silver in the land. Every business transaction is negotiated by means of ragged paper. The Government issue three descriptions of cent notes, namely, 25, 50, and 100 ; also dollar notes, ranging from Ito 100. These arc printed on vile paper, and, consequently, before they have been many days in circulation are dotted with holes, and more or less torn. Government debentures are also resorted to for the purpose of maintaining an appearance of financial stability. Many persons kick against recognising them, and therefore difficulty is often experienced in floating them. But in the act of issuing debentures, the Ministers are supported by an Act of Parliament which empowers them to raise money on debentures to the amount of .£5,000. —A Chamber of Commerce has been recently initiated at Lovuka, of) which Mr T. Grover is chairman. From the judicious manner in which its councils are directed, it alreadj commands the sympathy and support of the whole communitjr.