FRIGHTFUL SLAUGHTER OF FIJIANS.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 225, 28 September 1870, Page 2

FRIGHTFUL SLAUGHTER OF FIJIANS.

By the s.s. Auckland, which arrived in harbour at an early hour this morning, we are in receipt of later files of the Fiji Times, from which we make the following extracts : —

We are sorry to have to report another slaughter of natives. It will be remembered that in 1866, Cakobau conquered the districts of Vugalei and Virio, which had for some time been in rebellion against him. During that war Cakobau requested the chief of Matailobau to secure Muakalou, a chief of Soloira, and brine him a prisoner to the Bau camp. This the "chief of Matailobau did, probably expecting that Muakalou would be taken on to Bau, and not allowed to return to the mountains. Such, however, was not Cakobau's intention. After giving Muakalou a good talking to, he ordered his release, telling him to go back to his home among the mountains, and live in peace among his people. No sooner had Muak-lou got to his own town, and among his own people, than he expressed his determination to be avenged on the Matailobau chief by eating him. This determination he has several times repeated, but he has not till now openly declared war against the Matailobau people. A short time ago a Soloira woman fled to a Matailobau town, where she was sheltered, and this has been made the pretext for a war in which the tribes of Soloira and Matailobau are engaged. As soon as war was declared a Soloira town called Nakorobolovu joined the Matailobou people, and this is the town in which tbe slaughter we now report took place. At midday on Friday, the 12th August, when the men were all in their gardens, a large war party from Navosa and Dawarau entered the town of Nakorobalavu by five different paths, took the people by surprise, and killed, it is said, all in the town. The men who were on their planting ground hearing the firing rushed to the rescue of their wives and children, but, finding there was no hope for them again&t such a large attacking party, they soon turned and fled, hoping to reach some friendly town ; but in this they were disappointed, as they were met on the way by the people of Nacau, who killed everyone they found, whether man, woman, or child. It is said that 260 were slain, and, as ut present only ten of the Nnkorobalavu people are known to bo alive ; there is reason to fear that if not 280, a very large number have fallen.