LATER FIJI NEWS.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 681, 25 August 1876, Page 3

LATER FIJI NEWS.

By the arrival of the Augusta from Levuka, an Auckland contemporary has exchanges from Fiji to the 29th ult, from which the following extracts are made : Complaints are made of the arbitrary manner in which the native police carry out their duty. Substantial and commodious baths have been constructed at Levuka by the Royal Engineers. There is a great scarcity of rain in the Ba district, which is somewhat affecting the crops. The sugar industry is increasing, and some very rich cane has been produced on the estate of Mr Pilan, Savu Savu Bay. Candle nuts are now being produced in the Fiji Islands in large quantity. Recently a cargo of 10J tons was brought from Bau, and shortly before a cargo of 17 tons was brought from the same place. kt Mr McEvoy's plantation at Oicia, at tin Windward Islands, 90 tons of cotton have been picked this season, and the picking is continuing in full vigor. About 1500 to 2000 bushelß of maize have also been produced on the same estate.

The wives and children of five of the Royal Engineers arrived per Star of the South from Kandavu. Having just arrived from the old country, they present a marked difference in their appearance from persons who have resided any time in Fiji. With reference to the lately talked of tidal wave at Suva, a correspondent writes: " The tidal wave is all nonsense, only an extra heavv sea on the reef. The wind had evidently been blowing from the south-east, and being a very high spring tide, caused a lew rollers to come in, lasting an hour or so."

The Bank of New Zealand having taken over the business of the Fiji Banking Company, commenced operations on Monday last, the 17th July. On Tuesday the_ bank was closed for the purpose of facilitating the transfer. The notes to be issued by the bank are the same as those issued in New Zealand. Mr Du Moulin will continue as manager. The Customs revenue (including pilot and light dues, warehouse charges and general licenses) received at the Port of Levuka for the half year ending the 30th June, 1876, amounts to £6970 13s 7d, and from out districts as follows, though these returns are not complete to the 30th June (Customs only)—Lau, £169 4s lOd; Kandavu, £33 9s 9d; Suva, £lsl 5s 8d; total Customs, £354 9s 3d; general licences in province, £175 10s 8d; grand total, £7500 4s 6d. This being up to date £3OO 4s 6d in excess of the estimated revenue from these items. The cultivation of manilla fibre has been begun on a considerable scale amongst the natives o* Ovalau. The Government have erected a steam engine for the purpose of driving the manilla fibre dressing machine, lately imported, for the use of the natives of that province. This machine has only lately been invented, and if, as appears likely, it proves a success, others will be supplied, A complimentary dinner was given to Mr T. Horton, late manager of the Fiji Bank, Levuka, on Wednesday evening, the sth of July, by a number of his friends in Levuka. (Some thirty-five gentlemen were present, and the Hon J. B. Thurston occupied the chair. The usual toasts were drunk and responded to, and after a very social evening the company separated highly pleased with themselves.

Polynesian immigrants are getting rather choice in their selection of vessels. One intending emigrant fiom the Hebrides Group expressed great disgust that he should be requested to expose his valuable life in so small a vessel ; another, after chopping away some bits of wood off the timbers of the cutter, remarked that she was rotten and unsea worthy, aud declined to secure hie p asaage.