THE FIJIS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 497, 27 October 1871, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE FIJIS.

An old resident of Fiji, writing to a friend in Melbourne, thus discourses on the subject ofthe newly established Government, and the expedition which has been despatched to punish the mountaineers of the Ba district for the murder of Messrs. Spiers and Macintosh ; —I am somewhat hopeful of the new Government, and this because I find that the respectable men among the cotton-planters are accepting it, and giving it their support ; not, they say, as a thing good of its kind, but as the best thing they can get for the present. Herein I think they are wise, and if they can make head against the rowdy element of Fijian society, and if the old chiefs do not prove impracticable, they may eventually bring light out of darkness ; though all I can say about their prospects is only what Burns said of Sandy Mackay, ‘We maun bide and see.’ Maafu seems really and truly to have thrown his weight into the 'lhakombauan scale. He is a shrewd fellow, and no doubt looks forward to the inheritance ofthe Thakombauan shoes. However, this may be, his coming over is extremely important, and is certainly the best piece of Fijian news that I have heard for many a long day. I am very anxious indeed about that expedition of the white men into the interior to punish the murderers of poor Spiers and Macintosh. It is a most <oolhardy move, Our race seems to have the same lesson to learn over and over again whenever brought into contact with savage tribes. First, an absurd contempt ofthe enemy,then an equally absurd panic fear of him, both together residing in a war of extermination. 1 his is our role. It is barely possible that the hill folk may be terrified by the approach of the white men, and may not molest them. This, however, I consider extremely improbable. Most likely they will retire from a view of the nearer towns with a view of enticing the assailants into the hills. If the white men retire without doing anything, the results will be evd, for the natives will be emboldened to make another attack. If they burn an empty town and then retire to the beach, as seems most likely, the natives will not consider that a defeat; it will be only a powerful spur to exertion for revenge. While, if the white men allow the savages to , entice them far into the hills, there will be an awful tale of blood for those to tell who live to tell it. I have been far inland in that district, and know the difficulties of the way. There are several fine decent men gone with that expedition. How glad shall Ibe to hear that they have returned..