FIJI NEWS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 358, 5 August 1875, Page 3

FIJI NEWS.

By the arrival of the Star of the South, which left Levuka on the 12th inst, we {Southern Cross) have later exchanges to hand from which we take the following items:— Many complaints are made that there is no proper landing stage nearer Levuka than Nasova. A dinner was given to Mr Thurston by his friends and admirers on Wednesday last, and Messrs Sturfc and Yates deserve every credit for the manner in which it was provided at their hotel. The Pearl landed at Savu Savu Dr Mayo and his attendants, who proceeded to Captain Barrack's residence, where we understand the\ are at present enjoying that gentleman's hospitality. A very fine lot of tobacco leaf was brought in from Nadroga last week for shipment to New Zealand. It is in splendid condition, and could be manufactured into first-class cigars or tobacco. It is probable it will find a quick market in Auckland, where if not bought for making up it will fetch a good figure for sheepwash. About ten tons will leave per Star of the South. Mr Warwick Weston, inspector of the Bank of Fiji, arrived per Star of the South on Tuesday night. His visit is connected with the business of that institution. We learn from a correspondent that at present about 154 natives have died from measles on the Island of Cicia, out of 625. The survivors are now beginning to get round. Everything for the cotton picking is looking most favorable, and we anticipate heavy crops. Picking will be commenced at once if the weather holds fine. The Botanical Gardens now in course of formation at Loma Loma have been enriched by the kind thoughtfulness of Commodore Goodenough. A valuable case of plants from the Botanical Gardens of Sydney was brought by the Pearl, and has since arrived at their destination. Wednesday last waß probably the hottest day recorded for a very long time. A northerly wind had been blowing for three days, and, the sky being entirely cloudless, the sun was very scorching during the hours of mid-day. The thermometer rose to 91 in the shade, so the heat outside may be guessed at. The wind shifted suddenly in the night, and the change was acceptable. By the same vessel in which the charter of the colony came, there was another, that of the Good Templars. Some two months ago the Hope of Fiji Lodge ceded from New Zealand, under whose jurisdiction they have hitherto been working, and petitioned New South Wales to annex them. The Sydney G.T.'s granted the request, sent down the charter, and commissioned Mr W. H. Smith, S.D.G.W.C.T. to read the same and set the lodge to work under the new regime, which was accomplished. The lodge room was nicely decorated for the occasion of the Ho e of Fiji's second birth, and there were some seventy members present to act in the capacity of god-fathers and god-mothers. The Times says—Already there is a very marked difference in the management of affairs in official quarters for instead of protracted delays being of every day occurrence even in the answering of letters, all correspondence to the Government receives a prompt answer on the most trivial subjects. We refer especially to the office of the Lands Commissioners ; persons sending iu their land claims have been astonished at receiving an acknowledgment within three days, imagining probably as many months would transpire ere they heard any more about it. We likewise learn, and with considerable satisfaction, that his Excellency is carefully examining all the old records of the country, and inasmuch as this displays a desire on his part to thoroughly post himself with past events, we may expect his labour will bear fruit profitable to the planters of the colony. His Excellency admired the scenery of Savu Savu, but was not sufficiently impressed with it as to think of it for a capital, in fact Levuka is very favourably entertained by Sir Arthur, and since his arrival his many walks about the place have revealed to him the fact that several large patches of ground exist about the township which can all be utilised for building purposes. The only question that will arise will be the dealing with private interests, but we {Times) should think no holders of land would, in their own interests, be exorbitant in their demands, or throw obstacles in the way of the Government. The other evening we had a very narrow escape from a large and disastrous fire iu our midst; A kerosene lamp in the bar of the Levuka Hotel exploded, and the blazing oil was running all down the wooden partition, on which were ranged bottles of spirits,. &c. By the promptness of Mr Yates and his night watchman the flames were smothered, but not until a good deal of the wood had been charred, the native's head of hair set on fire, and a few burns received. A distressing and fatal accident occurred near the residence of Mr John Fisher, on Tavinui, about a fortnight ago. Mrs Fisher, a young and amiable lady, was superintending laundry operations near a waterfall in the bed of a rapid creek a short distance from the house, when luddenly a large volume of water was perceived approaching over the falls like a gigantic tidal wave. The women ran to the shore, but Mrs Fisher attempted to save some clothes which were on a stone in the creek and, sad to relate, before she could reach the bank the great volume of water overwhelmed her, and tore her limb from limb against big stones and logs, hurled with tremendous force by the irre sistable flood. It seems that there is an extensive watershed formed by high hills up the creek, which during heavy rain, quickly inundates the flat above the falls, and the pressure of water forces away some obstructions to its outlet, causing a sudden and fearful rush of water into the already swollen creek, which gathers in its course like a rolling snowball until it leaps over the falls with terrific violence. The noise of the falls it is supposed, prevented Mrs Fisher and her women hearing the roar of impending flood in time to escape it, and to save the clothes th ey were washing. The deceased lady was highly esteemed by those who had the pleasure of her acquaintance. Mr Fisher has one child to assuage his grief for the loss. Parts ot the mutilated body were recovered after the flood had subsided, and were buried. On Wednesday the address of welcome to Sir Arthur Gordon from the colonists of Fiji was presented as follows: —" To his Excellency the Honorable Sir Arthur Hamilton Gordon, K.C.M.G., Governor of b'iji, &c, &c : May it please your Excellency,—We have the honor of being deputed by our fellow colonists to welcome your Excellency upon your arrival, and to

present you with this address, expressive of our great satisfaction at your Excellency's assuming the important office of the first Governor of Fiji. We assure your Excellency of our loyalty to our beloved Sovereign, and are grateful that these important islands have been added to the British Empire. In the appointment of your Excellency we recognise the discernment of Her Majesty's advisers, and their desire for the future advancement of the colony. While tendering you our hearty congratulations on your safe arrival, we offer our earnest co-operation in establishing your Government. Praying that your Excellency may long continue to administer the Government of this colony—We have the honor to be, sir, your Excellency's most obedient humble servants.—[Here follows the signatures. |"—His Excellency replied as follows:—" Gentlemen,—l thank you for your welcome, and especially for your promise ef co-operation which your address contains. Without such co-operation I could expect to effect but little for the public good i with it, we may I trust together build up here a great and prosperous colony. It is my desire to avail myself of your assistance, and to profit by your experience. To enable me to discharge efficiently the high trust committed to me by the Queen, it is essential that 1 should be acquainted with the opinion of all sections of the community. I trust therefore that as many of the European residents in these islands as can conveniently do so, will meet me here in about six weeks or two months from this time, on a day to be hereafter named, with a view to a full and frank expression of their views and wishes on the questions which most affect the public and private interests of her Majesty's subjects in Fiji. Those interests it will ever be my object, as it is my duty, to protect and promote." The Independent Order of Good Templars also presented an address, in which they stated that the Order numbered about 100 in Fiji. His Excellency suitably replied.