FIJI.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1692, 21 July 1875, Page 2

FIJI.

(FROM OUR q,WN CORRESPONDENT.)

Levuka, July 12. THE ARRIVAL OF THE GOVERNOR

Since last writing to you a change has come over our local affairs; our Governor has arrived, and, despite ail that has been spoken against Lim by some of tbe colonial press, who auparently derive their information from prejudiced persons in tbe Mauritius, is well liked—at any rate it is only fair to judge of a man as you find him, and from bis bHarin? to all classes ; he is courteous, affable and concilliating ; there is no ostentation whatever with him, and he courts visits from Europeans, as he says through their instrumentality he seeks to inform himself of the past of Fiji and the necessary steps to be taken in legislating for tbe future.^ His arrival in the colony was attended with no show or display ; he landed with the Commodore and received a fitting welcome on bis arrival by all the respectable portion of the residents, who. after the annoyances they had been subjected to by Woods, Thurston, and coterie, were pleased to recognise as their ruler—a gentleman —the accredited representative of her British Majesty. The old Government Buildings at Nasora have been converted into the temporary vice-regal quarters, and as they are spacious, roomy and well ventilated, they afford very good residential accommodation. THE LOCATION OF THE CAPITAL. The locality for a capital was one of the first matters that came under bis consideration, and in company with Commodore Goodenough he has been sailing round the group. Suva is condemned in consequence of so many blind reefs existing there. Savu Savu is held unfavourably in the opinion of the Commodore for a naval station. Kadavu is looked upon as out of the way, and Levuka is well entertained by reason of centrability, and .in consequence of its harbour, which by all mariners is admitted as the easiest of access or egressand possessing good anchorage grounds if the tackle is only strong in the hurricane months. REFORMS INSTITUTED. All documents relating to the past Government are receiving a very careful overhaul from Sir Arthur Gordon, and such officials as have been honest and consistent, in their actions will not bs allowed to be wanting in billets, but his policy is evidently to have all new men at the heads of departments, and under these old officials will be allowed to exist as Jong as they, do their work. The days of "Government strokes" are over, as seen now in a brief epace of three weeks, for an order given must be objected with military promptness and punctuality. The lands question, probably the most intricate and difficult is already receiving attention, and Mr Mitchell the new head of the department seems a man of untiring energy and aptitude to business ; already he is fast accumulating the various claims to properties and getting them into ord^r for the consideration of the Commission, and persons here . hitherto accustomed to wait months for an answer to communications addressed to the Government now defunct receive per return of post acknowledgments of their letters. THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND GOVERNOR'S STAFF. The Attorney-General, Mr de Ricci, came down in the Meteor, bringing his wife, together with a large house ready for fixing. He is a young man, but is said to be clever and shrewd in the adjustment of native complications. Dr. Mays, Ht>r. McGregor, and Dr. Cruickshank form fiis Excellency's medical staff, and they have already been apportioned their .several duties. The personal staff of aide-de-camps, secretaries, &c, consist of his nephew, Mr Arthur Gordon, Mr Eyre, a son of Governor Eyre, of Jamaica j Captain Knowleys, and Lietentant Olive, whoji^has recently taken up his quarters at Government House, although he

continues to discharge his duties of Inspector ■ General of Police (native and European). ADDRESSES TO HIS EXCELLENCY ": AND COMMODOBE GOOD ENOUGH. Of course several addresses w ere presented to His Excellency, to all of which courteous replies were vouchsafed, and this, by-the-bye, reminds me of a very gratifying ceremony that took place to-day in the present*, tion of a memorial to Commodore Good-"? enough, for his valued services in support of annexation. He is truly beloved in Fiji and no less than 20 gentlemen, chosen from the planting and commercial element formed the deputation to present him with an ill u . minated address. The veteran tar was much pleased at this mark of general esteem and ' in very appropriate terms signified big ?; pleasure and pride at the expression of public opinion. The Pearl leaves on Wednesday for a tiip about the islands conveying the Governor and suite. ':' STATE OF TBADE. Turning to commercial matters, trade ig resusitated and a greater confidence is 6hewn ~'l in business circles than heretofore. A fine - 1 opening is afforded to exporters of timber I from Auckland. 28/ per 100 feet is the price of ordinary building material, and the demand is great here, as new-comers must have houses, and there are none to let in the place. Spirits, wines, and beer are not plentiful in the market, and will allow of early importations. For bacon, cheese, and potatoes there is always a demand, but the I prices are absurd considering the coßt they I are obtainable at in New Zealand. Some very | good maize is being shipped by this trip t of the Star, the exporters being principally 1 the Fiji Bank and A. Little, and of these {■: the second exportation named is the best lot • I in color and condition. Copra is fetching a* F very high figure, in fact the greed of some f buyers is making the natives so cute that 1 a profitable barler with them now is almost I impossible. Several new arrivals came § down in the Star, but those hunting for . 1 Government billots will, I fear, return 1 empty handed. Those on " speculation bent' | will have a large field for the display of their I enterprise. I SHIPPING. I The weather is magnificent, cool southerly 1 breezes and dry. It has been a little stormy , I for shipping, and the loading and unloading " : I of vessels much retarded in consequence of 1 a heavy swell on the beach. The Meteop 1 leaves to-morrow for Loma Loma en route I to Sydney. The Emu for Tavanui, where 1 she is to load for New Zealand. The j Silver Cloud direct for Sydney. The I Pearl for a cruise. Expected arrivals are the.; j James Patterson from Sydney, the Barra- 1 couta from an island cruise and the Western j Star from Sydney. \ The prospect of the 'Frisco service being: I via Fiji has raised to a high pitch the hopes • j: of our colonists. _