FIJI.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 351, 28 July 1875, Page 3

FIJI.

(Pall Mall Budget ) Fiji has already commenced a new financial era. The three months’ returns up to the end of last year show that the revenue more than covers the expenditure, and even leaves a substantial surplus—quite a new thing in Polynesian finance. It seemed almost impossible that smuggling could be kept under where such numerous facilities exist for landing cargoes, but it is evident that at any rate a large proportion of the Customs duties is properly collected. To counterbalance this favourable news comes the unfortunate intelligence that the measles has broken out among the natives. That strange sterility which so far has blighted every Polynesian race when brought in contact with civilization is once more assisted by the excessive virulence with which European disorders rage among a native population. In the present instance, the disease appears to have been brought from Sydney by Thakombau himself. Two of the great chiefs, Savenatha and Kitova, who have already fallen victims to it, were celebrated throughout Fiji. Savenatha was, perhaps, the ablest of his race, and certainly almost the only Fijian who understood that skilful lying was not a praiseworthy accomplishn ent. His loss will be seriously felt when the attempt is made to combine English with Fijian justice throughout the group. Kitova, on the other hand, was a thorough savage, and had lately been removed from his chieftainship of the Mathuata district on account of the continual feuds which he kept up with his neighbours. This part of Vanua Leva was for more than a quarter of a century the favourite resort of American whalers, and Kitova used to gain largely by their visits. In a few years it may be apprehended the decrease in the native population will be severely felt, and in a moist and enervating tropical climate it is certain that European colonists cannot take their their place.