FIJI NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5847, 25 December 1879, Page 2

FIJI NEWS.

(PER PRESS AGENCY.) Auckland, Wednesday. The cutter Rose has arrived from Levnka after an extended cruise among the Islands. She reports visiting Rampaon Island, an island noted as containing a considerable deposit of guano, and situated near New Britain. The Rose proceeded under charter by a German gentleman, but on her arrival was found to contain the French official resident, who had taken possession of the island in the name of the French Government, and had been left there by a French maa-of-war some few months previously. The Rose here took on board the shipwrecked crew of a Sydney whaling schooner, the Venture, consisting of twenty-nine hands, the vessel having come to grief on a reef surrounding the island some time previously. The Rose then proceeded to New Britain and New Ireland, and reports the state of [affairs at the formerplace as dangerous to the traders, who consist of about a score, mostly Germans trading for Godeffroy. All take great precautions, and carry arms. At Duke of York Island the natives are quiet and inoffensive. From here the missionary influence radiates. The wife and family of the Rev. Mr. Brown were all in good health, and the mission prospering.