LIFE'S FITFUL FEVER IN FIJI.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 234, 3 October 1877, Page 4

LIFE'S FITFUL FEVER IN FIJI.

The Fiji correspondent of the Melbourne Argus, gives the following amusing sketch of life in Fiji :— ; There are in Fiji a number of men who pass their time smoking, drinking, feeding, and growling, in fact, doing anything sooner than hard work. Whether the Pakeha-Maori was ever like the Pokeha-Viti I know not; if he was, it ia a matter for congratulation that he has gone to those happy hunting grounds to which also the moa has retired. . When the local steamer Black Swan first made a trip round Vfti Levu, aha called in at the mouth of the river Navua. It was" supposed she would pick up a little cargo there, as a dozen or two of settlers lived in the vicinity; so the skipper and agent steamed in, with the full confidence that their entry would make an impression, and probably give rise to a public meeting, at which they would ba presented with an eulogistic addreess and presented with the freedom of the fiver. Nothiog human, however, was seen as the vessel ran into the still waters of the Navua. The " skirl " of the steam whistle startled the snipe and cranes from the river bank, and the wall of forest trees rang back a note that should have been heard for many a mile. A large house appears in view; the anchor drops, and the rumbling of the cable is echoed hoarsely up the long reach. Still no sign of life. The skipper evidently does not think much of and even the agent as he swings himself into the boat with the mail-bag looks puzzled. Pulling ashore, scaling the bank, and entering the house, he finds eight or ten stalwart fellows prone upon their mats. One op two are asleep, others are reading battered old novels. From the lips of those asleep the pipe has dropped ; the others are smoking like lime-kilns. After all, then, the Navuans are not all dead. " Halloa ! you fellows, ' says the agent, breaking in, " Didn't you see us coming ? " " Eh ? " enquires a dozy settler, opening one eye for a moment, "Eh?? "Didn't you see us coming?" repeats the agent. "No," answers the dozy one. " We're a" — a yawn finished it. "Here's the mail bag," said the agent, thinking, with much presence of mind, that that might " fetch them." Alas for such vain hope. A far-off voice droned through the smoke — " Chock it down, old aaan," and once more sleep and silence reigned alone. The agent went for hie boat. Not a soul asked wheace he come, whither he was going, or what steamer had arrived. In a few minutes the Black Swan passed beyond the shadow of vine-clad palms and flower- - laden Barringtonias, and went seaward. The timid snipe and graceful crane emerged once more from shelter, and the sportive flies eaoapsd for. the night upon the respective noses of the Navuan Settlers as, one by one they dropped off asle3p, and for a time forgot the struggles of " life's fitful favor," if dreamiug on a mat can be so described. These, and of this class, are the people who, useless everywhere, are a positive hindrance in a colony like Fiji,