LEVUKA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 93, 19 April 1879, Page 4

LEVUKA.

The correspondent of the Donedio " Morning Herald " wriles :— Sugar-planting will eventually prove a fina business in these islands. Tho only drawback at present is the want of mills. Theso are being gradually obtained, and Ihe sugar competes with that of the Maotitius in Auckland, Sydney, nnd Melbourne, The cotton is very good in the fibre ; frequent hurricanes make it a more uustsple crop than hops in Kent, and the diffi culties of getting labor for picking at the right moment increases the oncertainly of returns. C(ffee is but a young industry, it needs skilled culture and choice sites. Capitul is coming over for this purpose from Ceylon ; and, if land can only be obtained on more liberal terms from the Goveruraentj this industry, wiih the others, has a goo 3 future in prospect. The copra trade ia almost entirely in the hands of Gorman?. The cocoanuts are split when ripe, then dried in ihe buo, and sent home to be crushed for oil. The price at Levuka is £12 to £14 per ion, and in London, after depreciation in weight, £21 to £23. BaDanaa bnve a popular market in Sydney and Auckland, being preferred in flavor to any others. Pineapples are also exported, as well a 9 appropriated to tho pigs. The planters are dependent for labor on hands imported from the Solomon and other groups. The system of immigration ia entirely under the control of the Government, and any violation of the regulations is met with condign punishment, as it ought to be. The natives are hfred in the presence of &n authorised commissioner for three years The planter pays £9 passage-money, and £3 a year wa«eß to the Govern, tnent ; he provides food acl thelter, and also three suits during the year. The suit consists of two yards of oalico alone. At the expiration of the term Ihe islanders receive Ihe wagea from Government, buy what they will from the stores, in tho presence of a clerk to see Mi at they are not cheated, and are then returned home. As many hire themselves again, it is fair to conclude that they are satisfied with the arrangements. The stringent severity of the protective laws is illustrated by two facts : a man for overworking a woman was fined £50, with one month's imprisonment ; another, for recruiting by fcrce, was fined £150, with six months in gaol.

The Datives are too indolent and independent yet to be available for field work where sturdy and conetant labor is indispensable. They are mostly Wesleyans or Boraan Catholics. Both missions have done much good. Caunibalism is almost unknown, idols are destroyed and personal morals improvtd. In this last respect the Fijians have never been aa bad as the Samoans or the Maoris. The native congregations are presided over by native ministers. The hour of worship is prcclßimed by the dong of blows ou a hollow tree. The chief may call to worship when he will ; and the " dong " is heard at any hour of the day. Flashy dress ia a great passion with men and women. Their cleanliness ia hardly up to par. I attended a crowded concert one evening, and was jammed between two warm native ladies. The sensations from the whole performance reminded me of an old school-boy doggrel — To see the sights that I have seed ; N To near the sounds that I have hearn ; To shniell the shmella that I have shmelt. I came back to Auckland by schooner, straight— if that can be called a straight passage which lasted doable the usual time. So far as human freight went, we were like the tower of Babel after confusion stopped those famous works ; all families of tongues must have been represented. A widow and six children were down in the bold among sugar bags. Sugar-bags stuffed all corners of the saloon. Stuffiness reigned rupreme. The meals were plain and regular — very regular — for the changes were very carefully rung within the limits of potatoes, biscuits, corned beef, and Fiji beans from day to day. Bananas were also to be had till 'they rotted and went overboard. I have fared worse in some up-country accommodation houses.