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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 325, 3 October 1874, Page 4

The two Fijian newspapers view the proposed annexation to Great Britain very differently. The Fiji Times says : — '' Notwithstanding the temporary suspension of Great Britain's final decision upon this, to us, vital point, we have no fear whatever as to the ultimate result. The fact of so high and experienced a functionary as Sir Hercules Robinson having been directed to visit the kingdom, with a view 'tb 'explain' matters to the King and chiefs, ib, in. itself, sufficiently -indicative that the Home Government do not by any means abandon the idea; but that a modification of terms only is looked for. Annexation is but a question of time, and of a short time only; and we shall soon, see Britain's glorious flag waving o'er a country which may be yet destined to become one of the brightest jewels in her diadem." The Fiji Argus thus raves : — '• Do our readers know what this means ? Do they understand tbe mild supervision to which they are to be subjected ? Are they aware of what is in store for them if a- military autocrat, with absolute powers of despotism, takes up his residence in Government House, Levuka, to rule them ' severely ? ' Have they ever heard of freedom destroyed, lands confiscated, ruin consummated by tyrants to suit a whim or conserve a caprice ? let them be up and doing, or assuredly they will regret the annexation cry when it is too late."

The Torres Straita mail steamer Jeddah caught fire (says a contemporary) on her trip from Sydney to Melbourne, and subsequently caught cold water from stem to stern through having been provided with water-tight compartments. Whether such compartments should ever get " tight " is not now the question; the fact remains that by them a very large quaotity of tea was either wholly or partially destroyed. The fire didn't do much harm, but if there is not a silver lining to every cloud there is a golden one in the present instance. During many previous weeks the owoera of the tea, who live in Melbourne, looked forward with anything but pleasurable feelings to its safe arrival. They had bought it, or shipped it, when the price was high, and wave after wave was carrying it to a market where its value had fallen 20 per cent. As usual in such cases the tea had been ineured for a profit of 10 per cent, so that the owners gained exactly 30 per cent by " the disastrous occurence." So elated were they by their fortunate escape from a heavy pecuniary loss that some made the champagne fly like gingerbeer at an anniversary meeting, whilst others were either so grateful or so profane as to venture upon a Tea Deuo,