FIJI NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1866, 16 February 1880, Page 3

FIJI NEWS.

[Yia Auckland.! Tho schooner Energy brings Levuka papers to the 4vh inst. The brig Violet reached Fiji in distress in leaky condition. After consul!a ion, the several shipmasters on the island deemed it advisable to haul her up on the beach to ascertain what repairs were necessary. After taking her off the beach she was worse than ever, being broken amidships. After this the shipmasters condemned her, and she was sold by auction to Messrs Herns and Co. for 900 dollars, who hauled her on to the beach and broke her up. A resident knows personally of no less then forty-three deaths of natives in his district attributed to the effects of a late carouse at Bau, which were the result either of drowning or exposure in inclement weather. Mr Robert Evans, whose schooner Ariel was chartered for Nadi to make search for the ill-fated cutter Byron, lost at the time her owner, the late Mr Fergus McPherson, met his death, has returned to Lovuka, and reports that ho has succeeded in finding the object of his search, which is sunk in about six fathoms, but will bo easily lifted and recovered. Diphtheria has broken out amongst the native population at Biu, and four serious oases ore reported. Dr. Farquar left Honolulu to render professional as-istanoe. It is hoped the disease will quickly be stamped out.