FIJIAN NEWS.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 116, 22 August 1885, Page 5

FIJIAN NEWS.

The ovont of the month has been the return of the Hon. J. B. Thurston, who was duly sworn, in as Administrator on Monday last. Tins relegates the Hon. Dr. McGregor to his former position as Acting Colonial Secretary, bat he lays down his higher dignity with the pleasing consciousness that his six months' service as Administrator has proved an unqualified success, so far as that was possible. Sir William Dcs Vceux left him to , face a community he (Sir William) had by his overbearing conduct irritated beyond measure ; yet, by judicious conciliation and common courtesy, the doctor has perfectly restored the entente cordiale^ between the Governor and governed. His work, also, has been of a real and earnest character, so that he retires with general acclamation, and Mr J. B. Thurston starts under the most favourable auspices.

Prevailing Depression. Unfortunately, there is before the new Administrator a very rough time. Outside the limited cane-growing andsugar manufacturing circle, thedepression, agricultural and commercial, can hardly be exaggerated. Labour i8 plentiful, because planters are unable to employ them. Trade is at a standstill, and the last gunga, the A.S.N. Sydney boat, now in, brought but 60 tons of cargo for both ports. The last, Rockton from Sydney, only brought 150 tons, and this gives a fair indication of the state of business. At the last sitting of the Legislative Council the Administrator stated that the excess of expenditure over receipts for 1884 was within a little of £7,000, and that the first half of 1885 had shown no sign of improvement. At the same meeting a resolution was passed to bring under the notice of the Secretary of State for the Colonies the advisability of considering a reduction in the Governor's salary } so that with this general outlook Mr Thurston has not a pleasant time before him. Nevertheless, he is the best man for the task if he will set about it fairly ; but as this must mean reversing his own policy, the question remains— Will

Kioh Sugar Yields. The narrow "silver edging to this dark cloud" is supplied by the improved prospects of the sugar producers, The cane crop is a good one all round, and on the I Rewa it is simply magnificent. The big 1 mill is working night and day, and turning out at the rate of 300 tons weekly. The yield from a considerable area has gone avet three tons of sugar to the acre, while from one estate, J. C. Smith and Co.'s, Vunicibicibi, the yield has given 69 tons of cane and' about nine tons' of sugar per acre. What this means is shown by the ,fact that 25 to 30 ' cwt. is an average yield in other canegrowing countries Unfortunately, though, this splendid harvest benefits only a limited number, and leaves $he commercial section of the community 'and the small planters s^ill stranded. ' " V „ gomosomo, has been very gay over the weddifcg of Rattt Lala,- Roko Tui, Cakaa drovi.^ It} w;as ft M imposing affair,

distinguished by all, the barbario profusion and magnificence of the highest class native ceremonial. Besides this, Woodyear's Circus gave, in honour of the ocoasion, a grand open-air performance, and the eclat thus added to the event will long preserve it foromosb in the annals of Fijian history.

Fatal Aooident at Rambi. I regret to report that news is just to •hand ol the death at Rambi of Horatio Hill, eldest son of the Hod, John Hill. He acoidentally shot himself while .out pig-hunting on theBth ult., by fallingoveraiedgeof rock. The doctor did not Beem to consider the wound dangerous, and returned to Taviuna, but a week after the accident tetanus set in, and the patient died on the 25th, He was 19 yeare old, and a young man of highest promise. The accident is tho more deplorable from the faot that it is but a few months ago since the father of Capt, Hill blew his right hand off with dynamite.

Presentation to Captain Cromarty. Captain Cromarty's passenger on last trip preeented him with a very flattering testimonial, which has duly appeared in print. .