A PECULIAR CASE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1073, 20 February 1883, Page 3

A PECULIAR CASE.

The Agent-General of Immigration (says the Fiji Times of January 6th) caused action to be taken against several em-ployers of labor on the Rewa River because they had not supplied their men with yams according to the requirements of the Ordinance. The manager of the Colonial Sugar Refining Company was fined £5 each for two plantations, Mr Amos £5, and Mr Eastgate £5, and the Inspector warned all that he should return shortly and run in every planter on the river. Although by the strict letter of the law the magistrate may be compelled to inflict a fine when cases are brought before him, it would seem that under present circumstances a minimum sum would meet the justice of the case. It is barely possible to get a few pounds of yams anywhere just now, and quite impossible to get such quantities as are required for the Rewa plantations on any terms. The Government, and especially the Acting-Agent General for Immigration, are well aware of this, as they have not a yam to give the emigrants in the depot, whom they are forced to feed on biscuits. It may be said that the planters ought to have looked ahead and had plenty of food planted, but it will be remembered that the heavy flood early in the year destroyed large quantities of yams and other food, and very considerably hampered many who thought themselves well provided for. The offenders cannot supply an article that is not in the country, however anxious they may be to do so.