FIJI NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5032, 10 May 1877, Page 3

FIJI NEWS.

(From the N.Z. J/erald.) By the arrival of the Jessie Henderson wo have later files of Fiji papers, from which we condense the following:— A number of cases of oranges have recently been sold at Levuka at 4d. per box. They were iu good condition, but unluckily too ripe for shipment, and though only sent from a short distance, owing to the delays and uncertainty of trading boats, the transit to Levuka takes much longer than from hero to New Zealand. This is rather discouraging, and makes the want of an intercolonial steamer very much felt.

A wharf is proposed to be run out at Yagadace, the cost to be defrayed between the Government and the cricket club.

The Government have imported a machine for stamping cheques, deeds, &0., required to be stamped in accordance with the provisions of the Stamp Act. Recent arrivals at Levnka from the Rewa state that owing to the flooded state of the river during the late inclement weather, and the consequent impossibility of propelling loaded punts up the stream against the current, crushing operations have lately been suspended at the mills; but as the waters are subsiding, work is now being resumed. Fortunately, but little damage has been done to the crops or plantation property, the river not having reached the height of former seasons. The Rev. Mr. Waterhouse, from Navuloa, who has been appointed to succeed to the post formerly occupied by 'thfe Rev. D.’-S. Wylie, pastor of the Wesleyan congregation in Levuka, has arrived at the scene of his labors, and taken up his residence at the Mission House. The work on the bridge over Levuka Creek is now being pushed on apace, and the erection when completed will be the most finished structure of the kind yet seen iu Fiji. The abutments are of solid faced masonry, and the bridge itself of a very substantial character. The tramway from Vagadace will pass over the bridge, and run along the whole length of the beach. When the inexhaustible quarries of that locality are rendered available, the building of the sea-wall will, with the employment of an increased staff of workmen, be speedily accomplished, and Beach-street and the properties adjoining thereto effectually defended against encroachments of the sea during the prevalence of high tides combined with easterly gales. A boating club has been formed at Levuka, under the name of the “ Fiji Boat Club.” At the quarterly meeting of the Public Hospital Board it was shown that tne receipts for the quarter were £250 2s. Bd., partly subscriptions, but mostly fees from patients. The expenditure during the period was £152 ss. 4d., thus leaving a credit balance of £97 17s. 4d. An Ordinance has been passed providing for the management of the hospital. I,and complaints are made by the colonists in the Rewa District about the manner in which tile Polynesian labor is managed by the Government.

It is stated that the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company are about to import sets of the best sugar-making machinery, which will be given to the colonists under conditions favorable to the company which supplies the machinery, and the settler who obtains the use of it.