LATEST FROM FIJI.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 45, 20 February 1873, Page 4

LATEST FROM FIJI.

0 The Sea Gull which recently arrived at ' Auckland, brings the following items of news from Fiji : — There is some disturbance at Navua which is likely to implicate the settlers of the district in a serious manner. Large numbers of natives are arming, and one of the worst features in the case is that some of the towns are sending back their teachers, and are intending to turn lotu again after they have burnt some towns. Some of the mountaineers of the big land are again becoming restless and turbulent, [and showing decided proclivities for killing, the assurances of the Government to the contrary notwithstanding. Some coast natives of Nalowa district went some short distance inland to trade with the Navuan people, and as the natives were leaving on their return, a treacherous attack was made upon them, when some half dozen people were killed. The Times says :*— " We are tormented, demented, and nearly driven crazed with the continual clangour of the big bells and kerosine tins set in motion by the Levukal auctioneers. Dr Byley reports to the Le vuka Municipal Council that "the insanitary condition of the town is deplorable." By the capsizing of a canoe, several natives were drowned, including Towasi Navumsinu, a Wesleyan native minister, and his family. The settlers of Ba, Eewa, and Navua have forwarded petitions in favor of annexation to Britain. The residents of Levuka held a meeting' and passed a resolution calling upon the Government to resign, and demanding a dissolution of Parliament. Bailiffs took possession of the store of the late Messrs T. Wharburton & Co., but a few " staunch men and true " soon put in an appearance on the scene, and the bailiffs, were offered tbeir choice whether they would remain or retire. The two gentlemen preferred the free air of the beach to the close atmosphere of a closed store, and accordingly made a peaceful exit. Mr Brougham, with a large body of police, afterwards took possession of the store. The cotton crop at the Windward Islands promise well. The Government having intimated that on a specified day the Government, notes would be changed for gold, ajlargemuster of note-holders took place at the Treasury, where money was paid out for about: half-an-tiour, only about twenty fortunate ones receiving any cash, when the bank "broke" and suspended payment. To several who interviewed him the Treasurer stated he had been expecting to receive taxes which had not come in, but on their receipt he would take up as many notes as possible. In answer to a deputation, Dr Clarkßon, treasurer, stated that ,. Mr ; Woods „„had. . floated jthe' loauofj Y^sfioo.y £1000 had come I down, and it was subscribed for by five individuals in Sydney. ■ He was not prepared to state what interest we should have to -pay. ';yy. He did not see what right the outside public had to question Ministers on a matter that so little concerned them. £60,000 was voted by Parliaihen t, £25,000 bad been obtained" aDdjb2s,ooO mora would be obtained by Mr Woodj in VlfW/W^fera'^V'^ -7 iV: Y.YY: Yy

" ■*■, '■•>'■-■■■• y,- * ■y.tu.,,... ■■„r.,»~»~», 'STBiSitt^BBTWEBN AKERIC^AND AUS- ; T^Ai^.^phe';Sa'i^ranciscaNeics Letter says s'-^or sora^/tiriie past .rumors have I be^eik, formation., of , a { i%o^M:g*n\~^ j.a steam line to ■ Atfatrd^. us satisfaction to be able, by-awhibrity, to inform our colonial readers of the, exact state of the facts. - It is truo that a new organization has been formed, embracing certain English steamship and American railroad interests, and proposals emanating from it have been despatched to the Government at^Sydney. The names of the gentlemen attached to those proposals is a sufficient guarantee for the success of the enterprfse. Than the names of General A. E. Burnside of New York, and of Thomas A. Scott, of the Pennsylvania Centra], Union Pacific, and Southern Pacific Railroads, there are none tbat stand higher in this country. With a splendid life-long record, General Burnside has a reputation beyond America, and is known to he the chosen representative here of several millions of British capital invested in o,ur railroads. Thomas A. Scott is probably the wealthiest railroad proprietor in this country, controlling as he does, five thousand miles of road — two thousand miles of which are a part of our through line to the East. Our Pacific Railroad men have always looked upon tbe ■ establishment of an effective steam line tp Australia as a desirable thing, as it would become an important feeder to their roads. The failure of others taught tbem tbat to ensure success the railroads must themselves take an active interest in the enterprise, high class steamers must be secured, and a union of the British and American interests concerned must be effected. All this has been accomplished, and the Government of New South Wales has before it tbe result in the shape of proposals for a twelve-knot service, the contractors being responsible for the mails the whole way between England and the colonies. Though it is difficult to see how any line at all is possible without tbe co-opera-tion of the railroads, no advantage is being taken of their position to obtain a high subsidy. On tbe contrary, we understand tbat a very moderate amourjt is asked, the principal profit being expected from the increased traffic that will in time accrue to tbe roads.' We look upon this announcement as being calculated at an early date ,to settle the whole question of our steam communication with Australia, New Zealand, and the isles of the Pacific. So soon as the necessary negotiations are complete, it is certain that we shall have a line commensurate with the requirements of commerce, and one that will develop the advantages of our splendid Pacific route.