FIJI.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 575, 22 April 1876, Page 4

FIJI.

We (Auckland Herald) select the following items of Fiji news from the papers brought by the Llewellyn Two days ago planters could go forth into their plantations, and with much pride and satisfaction look at the up-standing fields of cane, only requiring to be cut and convoyed to the mills to afford them good returns. Now, instead of the stately upright canes, may be seen, as the result of the last two days’ gales, the crops bowed down to the ground, as if mourning with the poor planter. The river is rising fast, and should it continue to do so at the same much fiat land will be flooded by to morrow. Th s is, of course, a great misfortune, as there hi yet a great deal of cane ready for crushing, and the water will bring down the density. Unfortunately the mills are not able to overtake the work ; there is enough cane in the district for several more mills than those we have crushing. The Kewa Plantation Company mill has had fine cane to work upon for some time past—densities as high as 11J to 12. Since the new manager has been at work, none but Mr Graham’s and Mr Waterson’s cane has been crushed, now nearly a month, and this is very freely discussed. They are making hay while the sunshines, and little blame to them. I hope there will be no worse news re weather by next mail. We are glad to be able to state that no serious results have attended the late blow, in any part of the group. Our advices from Loma Loma, Viti Levu, and other places all confirm this pleasing intelligence ; and as any fea'S which may have existe 1 as to a renewal of bad weather may now be considered as allayed, we may, with considerable cause for so doing, congratulate the community upon the dreaded season having passed over with such light cause for complaint. As will be seen upon reference to the items of intelligence in our shipping columi s, the Nymphe will shortly leave these waters, her presence being required in Auckland with reference to some naval courts-martial to be held there. One of the matter for inquiry arses, we believe, from some misunderstanding between Captain Stevens, of H.M S. Barracouta, and Mr Qayne, the pay master of that ship, with respect to whom the gallant captain has made some charges, for the clearing up of which a court is to be held. Some other matters are also to be taken into judicial consideration, the result of which we shall, no doubt, be in a position to report in a future issue. If telegrams and newspaper reports are to be at all trusted, but little doubt can exist that Fiji is to lose its present Governor, and that he is to be replaced by Mr Birch, Colonial Secretary at Ceylon. We are informed that no official intimation of the contemplated change has reached Sir Arthur Gordon, but it is spoken of so confidently, both by the Australian press and that of Ceylon, that very little, if any, doubt can rest upon the subject. The promotion, for such it undoubtedly is, must be highly gratifying to his Excellency, as evincing the high estimation in which his services are held by the Imperial Government, and while Fiji must regret the fact that she is to be deprived of the assistance of one so able in her effort to emerge from the state of depression in which she is at present laboring, it would be tit once ungrateful and selfish for her to grumble at this mark of increased confidence which Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to exhibit in the abilities of one of her distinguished servants. The existing state of matters will not, however, be altered suddenly, and Sir Arthur Gordon will have the opportunity afforded him of seeing at least some of his plans for the development of the resources of Fiji reaching such a point as will enable him to judge by results of the advisability of his policy, and its adapta bility to the requirements of the colony. On Monday last His Lordship the Chief Justice delivered bis judgment in the case of Haynes v Maofarlane. The verdict was for the plaintiff for the sum consigned him from Auckland, without any further amount for damages. Previous to the decision, Mi J. 8. Macfarlane had sent a letter to the papers in correction of a statement made by asolieiior, when appearing in Another case. Mr ’Mac farlane said “ I did not deny my liability as owner of the Sea Gull, nor did i cbsi me the correctness of the bill of lading. I simply pleaded that one copy of the document having been accomplished, the other was void, and the only witness called on ray behalf was Mr J. C. Smith, who leclged that he held the bill of lading when the vessel arrived here, and that he received full value for Its contents from Captain Jones, As a matter of course I denied my liability under the duplicate copy of the document, which was first presented to Gapt Jones some months after he had settled with Mr Smith, and I now repeat that if the receipt of Mr Smith, as agent of Mr Haynes and as holder of the document, was not a sufficient guarantee for Captain Jones, then there must be an end of all business being done by or through agents. I also E leaded that the owner of the ship could not e held liable for any injury inflicted on Mr Haynes, by his agent, Mr J, C. Smith, and if Mr Smith acted so as to injure Mr Haynes, by accepting paper money in lieu of coin, it was no fault of the owner of the ship that he had so acted.” In Mr Forwood’s answer to the above, he says:— 11 Mr Macfarlane should not let his blind rage at any one daring to oppose the potent lord of Auckland, cloud his usual good sense. He attacks me for illustrating my argument in defence of Ennis, viz, “ That it did not follow that because goods were short-shipped, the bill of lading was a forgery or its transfer fraudulent,’ by alluding to this action, in which it was acknowledged that goods mentioned in a genuine bill of lading had never been shipped at all, and it was sought, therefore, to make the shipowner liable, Mr Mac farlane’s own letter (as published by your contemporary) shows my illustration was apt as well as founded in truth. I never referred to the grounds nor the merits of his defence to Haynes’ action, nor shall I now. They must abide the Supreme Court’s deliverance.’

We have great pleasure in being in a position to state that Mr Le Jeune is revisiting F jl, for the express purpose of opening up a plantation for tobacco growing. He intends commencing operations at Maro, Manua Leva, and is confident of effecting a great success, Mr Le Jeune’s large and practical experience in this direction lends particular weight to his anticipations, and we hope to be in a position shortly to give more detailed information on the subject. We are glad to state that the policy of the Government with reference to the native taxes, promises to turn out a great success. At Kandavu no less than 1800 natives hart

already commenced clearing and plantiig land; at Tai Leva 1000 acres have been planted ; at Macuata and other places the same activity prevails ; no doubt before long large quantities of produce will come to market from the natives. Kidney cotton is being planted extensively, and this will pay very well. From this source unquestionably a great stimulus will be given to the commerce of Fiji,