ATTACK ON A FIJIAN PLANTATION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 55, 10 February 1872, Page 2

ATTACK ON A FIJIAN PLANTATION.

The following letter from a lady, the wife of a cotton-planter on the Dreketi River Vanua Levu, has been received in Melbourne : Dreketi River, Nov 8, 1871. My dear The answ r er to your last letter I must defer for the present. In truth, I don't believe we have saved it from the wreck to which we have but just been subject, a hurried sketch of which I have given. Heretofore, the planters settled on this river lived in comparative 6afety, under the protection of Turaga Levu, no greater proof of which can be than that of your humble servant having lived unmolested among them for six months, with not a single soul about her to whom she might speak her own language. The head chief of Macuata (Tui Ritova), jealous, it is said, of Turaga Levu's popularity amongst the whites, declared war against him, letting loose his hordes of savages upon the Ki Dreketi, burning their towns, and driving them to their fighting fences on the tops of the mountains. This done, they begin to plunder the whites. Commencing with Mr Bone, nearly at the source of the river, they intimidate him, so that he runs from his home, which they then plunder. Their next prey is our place, Wai Endra. The first attack upon us was on Friday, October 27, when a mob of Ritova's men rushed into the house, seemed to examine it round, while others tore up a plantation of young cocanut trees at the back, and stole the clothes off the lines, together with knives and axes from the house. After this we had a comparative respite till Monday, the 30th ult, when they again assailed us, and tried to force an entrance to the house. Thomas and I kept them at bay, threatening to shoot the first who should dare enter the fence. We thus held our own for three days, even keeping watch at night, without a single soul to aid us or take the intelligence to the planters down the river. ! At last on Wednesday, after they had slaughtered the pigs, killed the fowls, geese, ducks, turkeys, &c, and plundered the yamhouse, I took advantage of the time they were roasting and feasting thereupon to run through the forest to the next plantation (Cave's) for help. On my way a mob of them attempted to tie me up. I, however, dispersed them with a shot from my revolver, and then ran for very life till I arrived opposite Cave's, where I fired another shot to attract attention, and cried out for help. They sent a canoe across for me, but refused help except we would move to their place. This being not feasible, in consequence of having so much property about us, I had lo return alone, feeling all the time my heart beating in my throat lest they should murder my husband in my absence. I found him still beset by the savages, holding his own at the door, while they were throwing stones and firing, with the intent of forcing an entrance to the house for the purpose of plundering all therein. Shortly after Mr Bartlett arrived. We charged them repeatedly from the house, while they continued to throw stones and fire upon us, wounding Mr Bartlett and Thomas, and a bullet from one of their muskets tore up the earth about nine inches from where I was standing. Thus it continued till dark, when they went off, having destroyed some of our cotton, yams, sweet potatoes, banana, cocoanut, and bread-fruit trees, actually tearing them out of the earth. About 9 p.m. Messrs Hetherington and Howell arrived. They said they would assist in movingour property to Cave's, if we would consent to go there. This, however, they only did in part. One thousand pounds would not cover our loss. In short, we are all but ruined ; and if compensation be not forthcoming, I don't know what we shall do. My husband and .1 returned alone (the whites refusing to accompany us) to try and save some of our property. On our way, we found our table floating down the river, a sure sign they had plundered the house. Soon after we were arrested

by the savages, who ordered us back. The same evening a fight took place between Turaga Levu's and Ritova's men. Bullets were flying all around. Cave's manager ran away, leaving the place completely at their mercy. Here again Thomas and I had to protect Cave's store, which they threatened to break into. In short, we are the only ones on the river who have attempted to hold our own, the others allowing themselves to be driven down the river like sheep before the slaughter to Mr Mackay's plantation, which is situated under the shelter of Turaga Levu's lighting force, and where the whites are erecting fortifications, determined to stand on the defensive. In conclusion, I would remark that, should these depredations and outrages not meet with redress from our Government, through the British Consul, it will be impossible for any white person to live on this river again. The natives have for the first time learned that the whites are afraid of them, and our wrongs of to-day, if not redressed, may be repeated with impunity at any future time. 1 hope some exertions will be made to compel our consul to redress our wrongs.—Yours sincerely. S. M. B.