FIJI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3250, 13 July 1871, Page 3

FIJI.

We have received files of the " Fiji Times" to June 17, from which we make the following extracts : — OUTRAGE BY NATIVES AND NOVEL TRIAL. Mr Wilkinson's hired laborer-, men from Dama, who were employed on Lekuba, Bua, having taken offence at some imaginary grievance, burned to the ground the plantation cotton house, and were proceeding to commit other outrages, but were fortunately pacified, but not before they had commenced to destroy the dwelling house, thoroughly alarming Mrs Wilkinson with their threats and savage conduct. Here is another instance of how the " harmless Fijian" will actunder an imaginary grievance, and of what treatment our wives and children (Mrs W. was accompauied by four children) may expect to meet from this race, who, according to some, are never to give us any trouble, treat them as we may. On the 10th of May the culprits were brought to trial before a mixed Court. Messrs Otway and Beaven sat, with the native chief magistrate. The wrong done was admitted by the men, and reasons assigned by them in justification, which were at once scouted by tho Court. Two of the men were sentenced to four years' labor, one of them to three years' labor, and the remaining fifteen to two years' labor. Mr Wilkinson is to be re-couped in what the prisoners might earn, to the amount of the loss. The magistrates would have liked to have administered the lash also, but the Buan law on the point appeared rather obscure, and, as one of the great objects in view is to teach the natives the supremacy of law under all circumstances, the thrashing they so richly deserved, in addition to their term of servitude, was not administered to the fellows. ACGIDENT TO A PLANTATION MANAGER. An accident occurred here a few days ago to Mr Scott, the plantation manager to Messrs Wilson, Hamilton, and Co. It appears that Mr Scott had borrowed a loaded gun from one of the natives to shoot a fowl, and after discharging it the hammer broke off, striking him j heavily on the shoulders, and, rebunding, inflicted a nasty wound on the bridge of the nose. Captain Lessing, of the Harriet Armitage, applied the necessary remedies, and he is now recovering fast. This ought to act as a caution to white men using guns belonging to the natives, as they invariably put in a double charge of powder. ARRIVAL OF NATIVE WARRIORS. On June 10, the troops who arrived on the pievious evening by the Jeanie Duncan, from Angua, paraded the beach at Levuka iv force, fully armed and accoutred according to Fijian notions. They were well ornamented with paint, and presented themselves before the King, to whom, as is the Fijian custom, they protested their loyalty. Lovoni is their destination, and before many days they will take their departure for the seat of war. APPOINTMENT OP A GOVERNMENT. Cakobau has appointed an Executive Council, which was inaugurated with great demonstrations by armed natives. The members of it are : — Sydney Cbas. Burt, Premier and Minister of Finance ; Lieutenant Woods (of New Zealand), Minister of the Inferior; John Temple Sagar (of Adelaide), Minister of Trade and Commerce ; Ratu Savanca (Cakobau's son), Minister of Native Affairs ; Ratu Timoci(Cakobau's brother), Minister of War ; and James C. Smith and Gustavus Hennings, members of the Executive without office. The new Government has already exhibited indications of an intention to carry things with a high hand. The white population has protested, and it is very doubtful whether the new Government will be able to exercise any authority over the European population.

A gentleman travelling in Ireland said to a very impcr'.uoe beggar : ' You have lost all your teeth. 1 The beggar quickly answered, 'An' it's time I parted with urn, when Id nothing for urn to do.'