FIJI.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 644, 5 March 1870, Page 3

FIJI.

We have files of the Fiji Times to the ••■ ;15th January, from which we extract the ■following :— A report has been received from the Viti Levu coast of a native having' been .shot dead by Colpnel Jennings. Tlie Fijians settle matters in such a way as to prevent " native difficulties.' 1 Some time ago a disturbance took place on the beach, /caused by a quarrel between the halfcastes and natives. One of the latter, called Sarua, took up a large stone and hurled it at a company of white men who had taken refuge from, a shower of rain in the verandah of Messrs Wilson and L'Estage. The stone struck J. C. Smith, Esq., near the temple, and wounded him ■ severely. The white men caught the offender) and sent for the native judge, ■who sentenced him to twelve lashes on the spot, which were duly administered by < able hauds. Nothing but prompt measures, says tlie Fiji Times, can put an end to stone throwing by natives in the midst ' of the white settlement. ■. In order to facilitate business, And to . give us a circulating medium in Fiji, the -.enterprising firm, of Messrs F. and W. • -. Hennings, in conjunction with the house r of Messrs Rabone Feez and Co.,- of Sydney, have circulated a large number 'of "LI notes. The notes are payable either in Fiji or in Sydney. The Magellan Cloud has arrived with ■ ten passengers and a large mail. The regatta at Levuka was a great snccesß. ' Tui Levuka died. At the buriaLawjreat number of whites, half-castes, and'nativeß 1 gathered around his grave. The energetic Acting-Manager of the Polynesia Company is pushing forward ■<■ the surveying department, and the Sava lands will soon be open for selection. r A register has been opened at the British Consulate, in which all residents in Fiji who claim the protection of the - British Government are requested to enter their names. About 1000 loyal subjects of our beloved Queen are said to • have • made their homes in these fair islands of Fiji. We shall not be surprised to find that estimate greatly in excess, and perhaps, in a few weeks, only half that number will be found upon the register. We hope that every British sub- j ject will record his name as early as pos■ible. , < A murderous assault was made by Stephen, alias Coko Smith, upon a man named Reed, who came from Melbourne . in the Pilot. Smith struck him repeatedly 1 with thd butt end of a gun till his weapon was broken, and then left his victim with his arm fractured, and 'his whole body beautifully variegated with black and blue wounds and bruises. A plan is being matured by the British Consul for putting the importation of laborto Fiji in British vessels under strict supervision.