FIJI NEWS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1247, 6 March 1878, Page 3

FIJI NEWS.

The following items of intelligence from Fiji are extracted by the Auckland "Herald" from papers to hand by the schooner Mazeppa: — Recently, in accordance with an invitation of His Excellency, about 100 planters, merchants, and landholders of the colony, met the Governor at Nasova. His Excellency addressed them on various subjects, stating that the progrenß of the colony during the years 1875, 1876, and 1877, had been very encouraging. He showed that the export of copra had increased as follows: —Tn 1875, it whs exported to the value of £31,917; in 1876, £41,908 ; and in 1877, £66,355. The exp'i't of sugir had increased in an equally satisfactory manner. In 1875, the exports of sugar were valued at £3245; in 1876, £9036; and in 1877, to £14,500. Ot-her topics of general interest were also touched upon. The grape vino has been found to thrive in Levulia. It is believed that in the centre of Viti Levu it would thrive well. Mr Home, who recently visited the Eewa district, said, from what he saw, he was sure that the district could keep twenty-live or thirty sugar mills constancy at work. An Act has been passed, authorising the colony to borrow £50,000. H.MS. Sapphire was sighted off the port of Levuka on the Ist inst., and entered the harbor at about 11 o'clock. She proceeds to Samoa early with his Excellency Sir Arthur Q-urdon, in his dual capacity of High Commissioner and Consul- General of Polynesia. The Agricultural Society of Fiji his made application to the Government for £SOOO per annum for five years to introduce labour. Th< j re is general displeasure at this application. Six natives of Waiuku were recently poisoned by ea'ing the Fiji sardine the " Daniva." In one case it proved fatal. A fow drops of spirits of ammonia in a little water is an effectual euro, even in its latest stage. The luxury of ice and ice drinks is now becoming common in Lavuka. The ice is being used by the grocers in keeping butter and other perishable produce cool. Arrowroot, prepared by Mr W. Chalmers, of Koro, has been eold in the Lmdon market at about 3d per lb in packets. The fibre, prepared by Captain Hill, of Eambi, has been soid in London at £25 per ton.