FIJI NEWS. Suva, July 7.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 212, 23 July 1887, Page 2

FIJI NEWS. Suva, July 7.

Jubilatory. We are suffering a slow recovery from the unwonted dissipation of our Jubilee week. We certainly hud high festival while it lasted, and the lasting was the notable feature of the carnival. On Monday the Governor gave a grand ball at Government House, to which all Fiji was bidden — that is to say, the invitations were very general, and so generally accepted that between 300 and 400 guests were present. The ball was a great success, and His Excellency proved himself a perfect host and most courteous entertainer. On Tuesday he entertained all the juveniles of .Suva at Government House, and was personally as attentive to them as he had been to. their elders. The subsequent days were devoted to jubilation of one * kindt and. another. All over the colony the demonstrations have been as hearty, if not so prolonged, and so far as enthusiastic loyalty can efl'eet the purpo.-o, Fiji has endeavoured to give Her Majesty a good start for another Jubilee. •

A Blit-a Palpable Hit. One good story with respect to the two balls in worth telling. At Government House strict orders were given,, "No hard stuff till after eleven." Till then Her Majesty's lieges hud to drink her health in claret-cup, champagne-cup, etc., etc., not forgetting the exhilarating distilment from, the national " Piper Mythi.-ticum,'' alias " Yagona Vaka V r iti." At the Masonic ball, just to follow the fashion., the same order was given. By a coincidence it happened that the Fame pei>on, a Government .servant, who is also a Mason, superintended the dispensing of the creature comforts to thirsty applicants on both occasion*. On the latter, about 10.30, His Excellency to honour his hosts- walked into the refreshment room, and in response to a polite invitation to "smile" said,, " Yes; I don't mind if I do since you are so very pressing. I'll take a little whiskey." " Very sorry, your ExcellencjV said the inflexible drink dispenser, " but orders are strict. No whiskey till after eleven." Tableau ! Explanations and the prompt production of the " Royal Blend."

Industrial Crushing has commenced in earnest all round. The big- company &et the example on the 20th ultimo, and the mills are now at work at Viria, Koronivia, Deuba, Mago, and on the New Zealand Sugar Company's Rarawai Estate, Ba River. Splendid, weather has prevailed over the past month, and the density of the cane juice is rising. With it are rising the hopes of the manufac* turers, and it is believed, from the way the cane is turning out, that the return will be much better than was expected after the long spell of wet weather during the off season. In connection with this subject, it may be mentioned that an outcry is arising from all parts of tho group at the renewed most mischievous interference between employers and labourers, which has marked Immigration Office administration since the return to the colony of the AgentGeneral. Before the Court counsel has denounced the Department as " a curse and a terror to the country." The subagent has applied to the Court to restrain counsel from inveighing against the Office.

Tongan News. The s.s. Southern Cross is in from Tonga this morning. The news is unimportant, but indicates that in the political cauldron the elements are seething with every pros> pect of a boil over at an early date. H.M.S. Rapid was expected in Nukualofa. Tho Hawaiian war vessel Taiuloa was in Samoa, and was to go on to Tonga. The German corvette Adler had left Apia.

Gold Seeking. Our gold-seekere are nob yet satisfied with the result of their prospecting operations, and are proposing to make a fresh start with a new company.

HeathbA Practices. The Legislative Council has approved a regulation whereby the indulgence of the Fijians in heathen practices is to subject* them to fine, imprisonment, and public flogging. The enactment has not been entitled " The Cannibals' Conversion Ordinance: A law to secure the spread of Christianity, and to regulate i-eligious freedom."

The Governor. His Excellency the Governor has been viaiting the Upper Rewa, and dn Monday goes to Vavna Levu and Taviuni, where the residents are waiting to interview him re labour matters.