NOTES FROM FIJI.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 4, Issue 173, 20 November 1880, Page 3

NOTES FROM FIJI.

(From the Colonial and Fiji Papers). The guberuatioiial changes in this enluny are a theme of funeral conversation. The Fijian Tim's bids adieu to tho High Commissioner, Sir Arthur Gordon, in terms rather tho reverse of flattenug. The " Vagabond," an illustrious literary visitor, lectured hero on Tuesday to a large and well assorted crowd, including planters, parsons, shopkeepers, journeymen, and idlers. It was thought that lie was going to blackguard tho Governor, so of courfO all tho world and his wife wore present, conspicuous among '.hem a Wesloynn minister of high standing, and one or two of his brethren; but thuy reckoned without their .host, forj thuy not only had the pleasure of hearing tho Governor abused, as they wished, hut got soundly sneered at and ridiculed themselves, which was very improper. The Vagabond a 6 a lecturer is a failure, rambling, inconsequential, regardless of the letter "h j" and only sometimes a little humourous. His abuso of the Governor lias caused quite n reaction, and men who welcomed him here say they aro now sorry they did so. Mr. Des Veux is expected here in November. Ho was much liked whilst acting for Sir Arthur Gordon when tho latter was in England. He is a lialliol man, and was called to the Canadian Bar some years ago. His services have been in Domerara, Trinidad, St. Lucia, and here ; but he is not so hard a worker as our present Governor. Sir Arthur Gordon go?s to New Zealand, but retains some authority still, viz., the High Uoinniissionersliip and Consulate-General, with a general supervision of affairs in Fiji. Mr. Des Veux will be styled Deputy High Commissioner. The most foolish stories are told of Sir Arthur, especially about bis bad temper, but those who know him best., describe liim us ;i reticent, retiring, and even-tempered, warm-hearted man. Ho certainly is never to he deceived, and not to bo trifled with. Those who have discovered his ill-temper have perhaps learnt that fact also. His work here was not finished, and his retirement from tho colony at the present time is much to be regretted. It is quite possible that some of the settlers will abuse Mr. Des Veux as much and, perhaps, more so, than over they did Sir Arthur Gordon. The Island of Rntumnh has been cded to the colony, and accepted by the Queen. Tho deported premier, Mr. W. J, Hunt,, of his sablo Samoan majesty is on the war path, determined to avenge the indignity of his late, deposition if there be law or lawyers in Fiji. He has found enough and to spare of the one and has allied himself with six feet four inches of tho other. With the aid of the latest addition to the local bar ho has opened tho campaign, by serving a writ for .£2,001) on "his Excellency the High CammisMoncr, and announces his intention of adopting the historical policy of General Ulysses Grant, and fighting it out un this line if it uses up the. whole long winter. If the lion, defendant comes to grief, he can at least enjoy the privilege of pouring his woes into the sympathetic ear of Sir Anthony Musgrave, and they can mutually indulge in reflections upon tho inquitous latitude which modern legislation allows tho merc> plohian and the terribly levelling effects of nineteenth century democracy. The death of Dr. Crnickshank, from inflammation oft.be lungs, has caused deep gloom in Lcvuka. 11 is funeral was largely attended. The natives of Xai Sogo, a town belnw the Ananas, Fiji, have grown fired of the unalloyed blessings of everlasting taxation and unlimited lala, and in the hope of escaping the benignant influence, have deserted their houses and bolted en masse to a powerful mountain tribe known as the Kni na Prau. A force of officers was of course sent after them to reason

with them, to convince them of (heir error, and induce their return. La to arrivals report that these officers have been away a fortnight and have not yet reappeared, and public opinion is divided as to whether the officers have deserted to the ranks of the Koi nai Soj;o or flic Kai na Sogo have cooked and eaten the officers. One of the latest pieces of legislation effected by his Excellency, with the advice and consent, of the Legislativ oGonncil, is is the passing of an Act to raise a loan for any sums not exceeding in tho whole £1">0,000, chargeable upon the rovonuo of tho colony. The raising of the loan is to be entrusted to the Crown Agents in lyondon for tho colonv. The Old Govornment liabilities are provided for, largo sums are set aside for improvements at Suva, the expenses of immigration ami tho Lands Commission ; also the erection of lighthouses, i' 3,500 is to bo devoted for the part purchase of tho much talked of High Commissioner's yacht, while the whole expenditure on Lovuka is a beggarly Xl,r>oo towards the payment for erection of the pier. The Uoms are as follow : Payment of tho liabilities of tlio late so-called Government of Fiji £!)•">,000 Roals, Quays, Drainage, Water S ipply, ami Public 'Works at Siva 2.1,100 1 g'lt-hoiises .. ■' .. A.fOO 'mm'unit inn 10,(00 ) anlsCommsi'o.i 1 ier nt I.evul a .. .. 1.-'Ol ) art purthtH money of yac'.u ..' .1 oO Total :'!.••,• co

I Andrew Almeni who iliod at Edinburgh recently, had been a compositor for soventy-two years. 110 assisted in up tho Wnverlcy novels, and wun one of tin' fow persons who knew nnd Itonl (he seat.', ol their authorship.