A HUNT TO THE FIJIS FOR AN ABSCONDER.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 286, 4 December 1871, Page 2

A HUNT TO THE FIJIS FOR AN ABSCONDER.

0 In noticing the departure of the steamer Balclutha to intercept the absconder Rosen wax, a Melbourne contemporary says : — _,' The first query of the Balclutha folks to Fiji will be whether a certain schooner that was lately towed from here with one Rosenwax on board has reached port. If not, it must be waited for. From oft that schooner, or from off the shore* of Fiji that absconder must be got, and it is probable that he will be got in tho oldfashioned way in which H.M. navy used to be recruited in the good old days of the third George. He is to be kidnapped. It will be no good to ask the assistance of the Fiji Government in the capture. Mr. Burf, who is at the head of affairs, after Thakombau Rex of course, left Sydney in a schooner much in a similar way himself little more than a year ago. People in Sydney were much distressed at his disappearance so abruptly. He was expected back from a short jacht voyage, but the attractions at Fiji appear to hold,him, and his creditors at Sydney will probably hear of our Balclutha movement, and think about it. With tbe Balclutha goes an able exdetective who will' take all the means necessary, to land quickly, gag the migrant one, aud, shouldering him as a drunken man or on some other excuse bring him along back to those who will be glad to see him. We must stand tbe racket of all we do. Before the extradition treaty with America some one took John Oxenford's money from the Bank of England. John and Daniel Forrester, the London detectives followed the delinquent to New York, and muzzling him there they hustled him on board ship, and brought him safely back. Not being a political offender, th 6 American Government did not make it a cansus belli. It would not do to make a quarrel between countries on a question of larceny or felony. It is well that this Fiji business should be stopped, and tbe soouer the better. We can count on our fingers tbe names of those within our own knowledge that the steamer might also bring back with her. A city of refuge had its meaning in the oldem times, but though all fashions go in cycles aod circles, we are not going to quietly submit to have a special Australasian one set up, and such Fiji seems likely to become. [Contrary to the above anticipation, the Fiji Government gave their assistance to capture Rosenwax.] For remainder of news see fourth page. k I >