THE FIJIS

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 406, 13 September 1861, Page 3

THE FIJIS

The following extracts from letters lately received from Fiji, have been kindly' handed to us (New Zealander) for publication:—

From Rewa, date May 24, the writer says :— The Caroline ■ arrived at Kewa on or about 21st May.

"My intention is to plant cottoo, sugar,, and coffee. I cannot expect-anything from the latter for some years to come, but the two former on a small scale will give a return in twelve months.

"Several men with large capital arrived here last month, from Melbourne, and intend sending to the colonies for sheep. They have purchased a largo tract of land on the N.W. of Viti Levu, which they intend stocking at once. A gentleman here baa just chartered a large sohooner, The Friends, of Sydney, which hassailed for Norfolk Island to briDg down sheep and cattle; she is again expected to be taken up for a second trip. Col. Smythe has returned to Melbourne in the Agnes; his report is supposed to be very favorable, and we are daily looking for a vessel of war to plant the flag of England, which will be the making of the Islands. We hear many in the other colonies are only waiting for this."

Another writer says::—

"Fiji is just now in a very dangerous state* we fear that civil war may break out and the British Consul will be partly the cause. If war does not break out now, he has sown the seeds of future war by purchasing land from those who are not the real owners; the owners protested against the sale, but the higher chiefs had a spite against the poor fellows and sold their property over their heads, and Mr. Pritchard bought the land although the owners protested. The owners came to Bau and laid a complaint to the Bau king; also a teacher who had narrowly escaped being killed, in the same neighborhood. ' The Bau king said that he would see to it, and has been taking steps to go down with a large force. The Vewa chief, who is the root of all the mischief down the coast, has taken umbrage at what the Bau king is doing, and I believe he is taking steps privately, or -rather underhand, to resist him. I very much fear that it will end in our again being involved in war. I wish that Eugland would make up her mind to take the group, or leave it alone. Of all long-winded people I think the English houses beat all—they are a set of talkative beings, and most certainly have the organ without a stop. Should war break out we shall be in the very heart of it. Ido not think we shall run any risk at all; but be merely annoyed by the constant state of excitement and agitation by which we shall be surrounded. I do wish Consul Pritchard had never come here; he goes against the missionaries, and does much harm to the cause, and is unsettling the natives without establishing any new and better state among them. As for Colonel Smythe, no one knows what he is up to; he remains at Ovalau, and is very quiet, but doubtless makes good use of his eyes and ears, but keeps his tongue very quiet about politics."

Tasmania.—By the Census for 1861, which we received -with the last batch of the Launceston Examiner, we perceive that the population of that colony has increased between March 31st, 1857' and April 7th, 1861, over 9000 : the total population being 89,977. There is an increase of 3575 houses in the same period, making a total of; 18,593, of which 11,176 are of wood, and the rest brick and stone. There .are 15,893 married and 33,700 single males, and 15616 married and 24,788 single females. There are 28,564 persons who cannot read, 13,134 who can read only, and 48,279 who can read ami write. Of the religious denominations there 49,233 Church of England, 19,454 Church of Rome, 6618 Church of Scotland and' 2376 Free Chinch, 3246 Independents, 828 Baptists, 6169 Wesleyans, 343 Jmvs, and 1710 of other sects. There are 181 merchants and bankers, 71 lawyers, 64 medical-men, 109 clergymen, 4655----farmers, 137 stockholders, 1010 government officials, 299 schoolmasters, 5978 mechanics or artisans, 12,767 storekeepers, 4372 domestic servants, 8855 farm laborers, 483 publicans, and 62,322 not included in the foregoing.

Oranges.—As another example of the amazing fertility ot the resources of the Murray district, we may mention that we, yesterday, inspected a sample of oranges grown by Robert Brown, Esq., at Collendina, about ten miles. below Wahgunyah. The specimens are not quite ripe, but appear to be first-class fruit. In the garden of J. Roper, Esq., in Albury, some orange-trees in full bearing may also be seen. We learn that from 200 to 300' orange-trees have beeu already introduced into the district, and a large number are now expected. Well may the neighborhood of the Murray be called the garden of Australia. — Border Post.

Aboriginal Marriage.—An interesting ceremony, witnessed by a large congregation, took place at the Church of England -Schoolroom, Ararat—the marriage of two aboriginals, Charles Gambier and Fanny Moore], by the Rev. f>. Homan. Both have been members the Church ot England for years. The bridegroom, a fine-looking aboriginal, was a native of Mount Gambier, and has been brought up in civilised life from his childhood. The- bride has received some education, % very intelligent, and has been a teacher in a ' Sunday-schoo], and from childhood has been a trustworthy aad efficient servant in the family of a neighboring squatter —proof of how mucb, might be done for this neglected race.— Ararat Advertiser. ;

Drunkenness.—Two soldiers have died lately from drunkenness in Auckland. V Minstrels.—The San Francisco have been veiy successful in Auckland.