THE CUTTER VOLUNTEER AT FIJI.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1301, 30 September 1872, Page 2

THE CUTTER VOLUNTEER AT FIJI.

Gcorgo Blair aud the cutter Volunteer, 1 says a Fija correspondent of the Southern Cross, will fill an eventful page in the annals of Fiji. The seizure of a British vetwcl, and the hurling of her supposed owner into prison— a common gaol— for a debt .which he never contracted, would appear, to be monstrous proceedings. This has been done iv Levuka, and after boiug incarcerated for upwards of three months, Blair escapes from «aol and is allowed to roam wherever ho likes. Now he is deterinindd, in retaliation, to pursue a policy of guerre a outrancc against his numerous persecutors. The Volunteor had been sold by order of the Fiji (internment, and her purchaser, Mr J K. Thompson, has altered her name to tho Annie Russell.. Since Jailing into her new owner's hands she has been despatched for a labor cruise. Tho British flag has been abolished, and the Fijian hoisted on board the Annie Russell. Blair has commenced an action for false imprisonment against Messrs Cohen and Brodziak, who, it appears, were the persons at whose suit Blair was imprisoned, upon their allegation that bo was indebted to them in the sum of L 55 10s Cd. The cause of Blair v Cohen and Brodziak was tried in the Supreme Court, Le'vuka, on the Ist and 2nd of August. Their Honors Sir Charles St Juiiau and Mr Justice Furwood occupied the judicial Bench. A careful investigation of the facts took place, and the plaintiff Blair was subjected to a severe cross-examination by Barrister Burt ; but the jury awarded Blair the sum of L 550 damages. Some persons declare they would like to go to puson at the same rate' as Blair. That is to say, he was in prison upwards ot 100 days, and the sum now awarded him makes provision at the rate of upwards of 1/5 per day. The Supreme Court, however, has had a notice of appeal recorded against it ; therefore, the question cannot lie regarded as finally settled.