NEWS FROM FIJI.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 828, 9 December 1878, Page 2

NEWS FROM FIJI.

(FROM OCR AUCKLAND CORRESPONDENT.) Auckland, Dec. 7. By the Agnes M'Donald, which has arrived from Levuka, later files of papers have been received. The news is, however, of little interest. The natjves are employed making a carriage road round Ovaldu. The Governor riiet some" chiefs at Bau in an open air meeting. In addressing them he combatted the idea that aborigines must die before white nien, He inr stanced Java, where the population had vastly increased, and India, and urged them to take proper precautions against disease and submit to vaccination. The Queen's Government would support their native laws, as being best adapted to their circumstances.

Lakba and all the islands to the windward are sadly in want of rain. It seems that the fine rain that fell at Lomae a week or so ago did npt extend so far as Lakba.

A native at Nakorou Vou, whose matrimonial experiences had been anything but happy, took it into his head to dissolve his marriage bonds by shuffling off this mortal coil altogether, Accordingly he loaded a gun and deliberately' shot himself through the breast. He lingered for a few days in great pain, and then died. At Tonga a man was taken to the hospital minus his right hand, which had been blown off by powder. The unfortunate man was endeavoring to shoot some fish, but, holding the charge too long in his hand, it uite a contrary effect.

The Tongs. Parliament is sitting, and has passed various laws. The prohibiting of manufacturing, weaving, turning, and wearing native cloth and clothing law is abolished. Men and women can now wear any kind of clothing they choose, on all and every occasion, within doors or without. All that is required is that they shall be decent, except, perhaps, in the case of the church at Kurukulofa, where men must dress in coat, trowwrs, rest, &c., and women, like their white sisters,

with dress, bonnets, &c. Anyone who, from disinclination or inability, does not or cannot comply with this regulation must be content to worsliip outside or in the porches. The prohibition against women smoking has been considerably modified, and ladies may now enjoy their weed to their hearts' content, excepting under certain special conditions. A treaty of amity and reciprocal friendly relations has been concluded between England and the King of Tonga.