ARRIVAL OF THE MERLIN

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 458, 29 June 1871, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE MERLIN

LIGHTING AT THE PIJIS: Ok Thursday evening, the 15th instant, the Jenny Duncan arrived in Levuka, from Bau, with 600 warriors, destined to attack the rebellious Lovonis, a tribe inhabiting the interior of Ovalau, tfhd for some time in open rebellion, with Thakombau. The attack took place on Friday, 16th, and the firing and shouting could be easily heard from Levuka, On Saturday morning at 8 o'clock, just as the habitues of Manton's Hotel were about sitting to breakfast, the hoarse war cry of the King's soldiers was heard, evidently returning from a victory over the Lovonis. They appeared in a state of frantic excitement, gesticulating in a most extravagant manner, and brandishing a human arm and hand tied at the point cf a bayonet. They then reported themselves at the native village as having killed ten men and women. The arm was subsequently presented to Mr. W. 0. Gardenhire, as an addition to his extensive collection of Fijian curiosities.

By the arrival of the schooner Merlin, from the Fijis, we have received papers to the 14th instant, from which we make the following extracts:—

Yesterday the troops who arrived on the previous evening by the Jeanie Duncan, from Angau, paraded the beach in. 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. "We believe that preparations for the trial of the two murderers of the late Mr. A. Underwood, of Kadavu, are being made. The court is to be a mixed one, and the jury to be composed of whites and natives. The mission barque John Wesley left port on Thursday morning, on a cruise. She was to call at Kadavu, Lakeba, and Loma Loma, leaving a missionary at each place. Thence she will proceed to Samoa, returning via Rotumah to Fiji, en route to Sydney.