ANNEXATION OF THE FIJIS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 35, 11 February 1870, Page 3

ANNEXATION OF THE FIJIS.

o To see England refusing the protectorate of the Fijis, while it is certain to be eagerly accepted by the United States, is anything but flattering to Great Britain's pride. It appears tbat the petition requesting the American Government to come in and win has been numerously signed, not only by Fijian residents, but by many busy bodies in Sydney and Melbourne ; and it is not likely that a Government which has paid so much for the savage regions of Alaska will decline the gift of a group of islands containing all the materials of a prosperous future. That Viti Levu, the largest of the islands, is to be made a port of call for the proposed line of steamers from San Francisco to the Austral ias, will not diminish American interest in the transaction, either, we apprehend. Somewhat superfluously, the American Government is requested lo note how suitable the Fijis are for the establishment of a naval station in these waters — a circumstance which one would have thought worthy of the attention of our Imperial authorities also ; but surely the capacity of the group for the production of cotton — England's most pressing requirement just now — ought to have been in itself an all-powerful argument for the acquisition. It is too late to negotiate for bringing it under our own rule, nor have we the power to effect any such negociation ? No matter who obtains possession, our commercial relations with the Fijis are sure to be of great mutual importance, but tbey would of course, be all the greater if the islands were under our own Government. Startling as a proposal to exteud our territory may seem here, the idea has long ago been commented upon as the most natural thing in the world, by some of the most influential organs of public opinion in England. Very recently a correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette reported an extraordinary state of feeling in the Dutch East Indies — the entire Dutch population, including the army, in a state of discontent, are ready to declare for a republic or to accept British protection. Commenting upon this, the Spectator observed that in the event of any attack upon Holland, these Colonies would undoubtedly declare for independence or accept British rule, "if for British rule we substitute the rule of the Australian Republic. It is to that State the Archipelago must ultimately belong." These remarkable words, uttered by one of the most respectable journals in England, ought at least to give Victorians "a good conceit of themselves." — Melbourne Herald.

A man named Crossley, residing at Renwicktown, Marlborough, attempted to poison himself by taking strychnine the other day, owing to some uu pleasantness that had occurred between himself and his wife. A doctor was sent for who at once administered the usual antidotes and treated him for the poison in question. For three hours his body remained stiff and rigid, at the expiration of which time he began to show signs of moviug, and has been improving ever since.

The flax industry (says the Marlborough Express) is progressing in this locality. Messrs. Seymour and Co.'s mill is fast nearing completion. Messrs. Howland and Co. have erected a large mill, 35 by 25 feet, and other buildings, on the Peninsula, near the Ferry, and will shortly be prepared to commence operations. Messrs. Williams, Jackson, and Organ, at the Bush, are in readiness, except their engine, which is expected. Messrs. Jeffries, Barclay, and Co. have everything ready for a start except their shafting. Their site is contiguous to the homestead of Mi*. John Fitzgerald, on the Omaka. Messrs. Buckman, Bythell, and Co. expect to be ready for work in six weeks. We hear that it is likely that two other mills will be erected shortly at Wairau Valley.

Lynch Law prevails in many parts of the United States, and the announcement of summary punishment of criminals are frequent. The following telegram from Louisville, Kentucky, recounts one of these proceedings with unusual coolness : — "On Sunday evening a party of 100 men went to the Eichmond gaol and took out a man named Suarey, the author of five murders, and huug him in the court-house yard, with a placard on his back to the effect that he should not be cut down until 7 o'clock on Monday evening. The crowd then dispersed."

A private letter received at Melbourne from Aden, under date the 7th of November, says : — " The Great Eastern, on her return, will embark a cable to join Ceylon with Penang and Singapore, and finally to unite China and Australia, but it wiil be some little time before we get down to your part of the world — say two years and. a half, or so."

A Middle Island Visitor to Auckland laments his inability to obtain " a drop o' good beer" or a bit of " decent cheese " in that northern city. He says : — " As an expatriated Southerner, I feel the want of good beer and good cheese, two good things which you Auckland folks seem to have forgotten the taste of. Will no enterprising citizen scud to Canterbury for cheese, and to Nelson for beer ? If such an individual could be found I feel sure he would reap a capital profit. Any one who advertised that Nelson ale was kept constantly on draught, and that Port Cooper cheese could be had at luncheon, would get a perfect host of customers."