LATEST FROM FIJI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 17, Issue 925, 24 January 1871, Page 2

LATEST FROM FIJI.

MURDER OF THREE OF THE CREW OF THE KETCH WILD DUCK. [AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, JANUARY 17-1 By the schooner Clyde we have received Fiji papers to the 31st ult., from which we take the following: — Capt. Martin, of the ketch Wild Duck, reports having left New Caledonia three months ago, and has since ; been seeking labor in the New Hebrides; saw the Lulu a month ago sailing round Santo. When the Wild Duck was at Santo (New Hebrides), it being calm, the boat was sent on shore with the trading master (Morrison), and two white men named Irwin and Winter, besides two natives, Captain Martin wished them to take arms, but Morrison had lived some time on Santo, and refused, saying there was no need. When the boat was on shore, some one hundred and fifty natives came down, hallaoing and blowing conches; the wind fell very light, and the Wild Duck had to anchor. Captain Martin waited till sunset, and got underweigh and stood in next morning, but could not see anything of the boat. The natives then got canoes ready as if to board the vessel, and the wind being strong he had to leave ; he heard from some white missionaries afterwards that his men were murdered. Ten days ago the Wild Duck sprang a leak, and will have to be re* paired. She brings 29 natives. We take the following paragraph from the Melbourne Age, 4th January:—i " The Fijian Constitution has not been granted, and the committee which was to sit en permanence until Thakombau sighed away his political existence, has given up the ghost. Some advance in civilisation is however made, and a city corporation is to be formed at Levuka. In vain we scan the Fijian papers for any signs of Victorian notorieties coming to the surface ; all parts of the world supply their quota, but Victoria is not represented. Surely it cannot be possible that our Melbourne men, who were so sharp here on the flags and elsewhere, have met with more than their match at the Fijis, and in chagrin are keeping themselves aloof because they cannot reign supreme. How they must sigh for the glories long departed, and now that .£3OO a year is obtainable in Victoria by nieni? bers of Parliament, what fools they must deem themselves for leaving our favored land. Had some of them known how near the prize was, they would have been with us to this day.