THE FIJI ISLANDS.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 141, 24 October 1868, Page 6

THE FIJI ISLANDS.

' According to promise in our last issue, we take the following items from the Fijian Weekly .Fetus and Planters' Journal :— - Samoa. —By the cutter Lapwing we are informed that on the 15th ultimo, a tidal wave, 12 feet high, swept inshore at Apia, washing away two bridges over the creeks in the town, with several trees, and ether slight damage. The day was perfectly fine. The tide at high water rose a little higher than usual, but at low wafer, without any earthquake shock or previous warning, the tide suddenly rose in one immense wave, overwhelming the town, and entering the houses; while for six hours after, the sea continued advancing and receding in lesser waves. It was reported that at Fangaloa, the house of Mr. Macfurlane was washed away, and that further to the eastward much greater - damage was caused. It is worthy of note that the night or early morning tide at Vewa, Fid, rose to an unusual height at the same time. We have not heard of it having been observed elsewhere. Fijian Arrowroot. —The fast schooner Mary Smith, which arrived from Bua the other day, brought among other produce, a small quantity of arrowroot. We should like to see larger shipments of this and the many other important articles of native produce. These islands have a large and spontaneous'supply of arrowroot, and, with careful cultivation and improvement in its manufactuie, would soon be able to send in large quantities to the home market, so as to compete successfully with the best Bermuda samples, it is prepared by the natives throughout the Group, but they are very careless in the washing, &c., and at present best samples can only be obtained from Mbua, on the large island of Yauua Levu. This part of the island is under the rule of a native king, Tui Mbua, whose secretary, Mr. Wilkinson, late of Adelaide; superintends the preparing of the government exports. The chief is a very enlightened native, of Togan extraction, and possesses a large quantity of sheep and cattle. - He is very desirous of selling land to Europeans, as a means of advancing the interests of his people. He has a code of laws and regulations prepared for the guidance of his subjects, and strangers who may intend to settle in that locality. Death before Dishonour (?). —At Togadravu, on the Rewa river, about the beginning of this month, a native chief committed suicide by shooting himself. The cause was reported to be as follows :—The deceased’s brother, who was married and also a chief, and himself were living together in one house. His sister-in-law, the chieftess, induced him to accompany her to a vuniwai, or native doctor. They were followed by some of the tribe and ho was captured, and for the crime of incest was tried, convicted, and condemned. The sentence —which was from the native laws—is reported to have been, first fined, then publicly fiogged, and finally hung. While waiting for the sentence being carried into effect, the criminal took up a gun, declaring his intention of killing himself. None present believed him, as self-immolation is unusual among them. On being asked his reason, he in substance replied:—The fine he could have paid, and he was not afraid of death; but to be degraded by being publicly whipped as a slave was more than he could endure. Then standing upright and planting the weapon between his feet, with the muzzle beneath the chin, be discharged the gun, the ball passing through his head, and he fell down a corpse. Several old residents on the Rewa, when they heard of it, remarked it was the first instance within their knowledge of a Fijian committing suicide.