LATEST FROM FIJI.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 85, 17 January 1872, Page 3

LATEST FROM FIJI.

THE MEVA MURDERERS. The return of the 11.F.M. ‘ .Tcanio Duncan,’ from the Yassawas, having on board the remnant of the Meva murderers, completes so far the first scene in the awful tragedy tlmt has brought sorrow to so many hearts; and a narrative of the voyage may not be uninteresting. On the 30th spoke the schooner Peri, under Fiji colours, and found she had 2G of the Meva men on board. She, the Jcannie Duncan, then proceeded on her voyage for the remainder ; cleared the Ba passage at 11 a.m. on Ist December, and, alter many delays, arrived off Bcva at 7 p.m. on the 7th December, when all hands were landed. On the same day three of the fugitives were found in a native hut with their hands tied behind their backs. Here Mr Caldwell became greatly excited, and, presenting his rifle at otic of the prisoners, so frightened him that he jumped to his feet and made a rush for the bush. Mr Prichard fired and missed him, and several of the party followed in pursuit, and the unfortunate wretch received a shot in his head and another in his body. lie then made for the sea (having got his hands loose), into which he dashed, and swam towards a point of land in the distance. As lie wasswimming, however,lie received two bullets in the right breast, and finally as a coup dr. (/rare, one in the back, which passed through his body. lie then threw up his arms, and the Fiji men easily captured him, and brought him ashore a riddled quivering . specimen ot humanity, but still alive. On the 9th two more Solomon men were captured, completing a total of six prisoners under arrest. The remainder of the original party that landed, having stolen a dingy, made away, and are supposed to have perished. On Sunday (10th) at 1.4 G a.m. “ All Serene Jack,” being the sentry on guard over the prisoners, fell asleep, and one of them escaped, Early in the morning a strongparty was sent out in search, and the bush was explored in every direction, but without success. On Wednesday the party with the wounded and remaining prisoners was got on board his Majesty’s schooner, and adieu was bidden to Bcva. The vessel arrived in sight of Levuka on the 17th, and came to her moorings on the afternoon of the same day. Thus the remainder of the Meva murderers are now in custody, and the question—a most serious one—really arises, What is to be done with them? Tried they without doubt must be, but what will be the result of that? Who deplores the deaths of Messrs Warburton, Kington, Robson, and Whittaker more than we do ? What would lie said of any sane persons that collected a lot of lions and tigers in a narrow compass, whence there was no egress, and then went laughingly and heedlessly into their midst ? or others who would place beneath their sheets a nest of vipers, and then get into bed to them? Would anyone be surprised that in the former case they were killed, or in the latter were stung ? * Yet no less insane were our lamented friends when they trusted themselves unsuspiciously upon the deck of a small vessel, in the midst of forty wild Solomon Island cannibals, whose savage instinct led them to act as they have done. It is believed that these' Solomon Island murderers of the 1 Meva’ were kidnapped. In such a case, can they be convicted of murder? We say—No. And if this be proved, they must be set free. _ A great deal lias been said about hanging a few of these wretched savages as a moral example to others in the group. Be it so. But when we proceed to this latter extremity, an unjust one, for the purpose off olforingan example to natives, we must be also just, and hang on the same gallows with them any number (if man-stealers that may be convicted of the offence. For it is these men who have destroyed the labour trade. It is these men to whom the planters may ascribe their dearth of labour. It is to these men they may thank the Imperial overnment for passing the law which is projected, and which has been publicly mooted in Sydney, making it felony to even fit out a vessel for the labour trade. That trade is doomed.”

The schooner'Peri left the Rewa river for Levuka on the 2<th December, with 25 Solomon Islanders on board. She had not arrived at Levuka when the Lrctitia left on January G. Captain Bergen and the mate were the only white men on the schooner. Several boats were sent out

from Levuka in search, but returned without finding any traces of the schooner. —Fiji Gazette, December 23.

REBELLIOUS NATIVES: SETTLERS IN DANGER.

Several gentlemen arc at present in town from the Ba and Raki Raki districts. They report that the Kai Colos insurgent along a lengthy line of coast. Last Saturday at Ba the coast natives reported that the mountaineers were coming down. On Sunday they reported that the Kai Colos had been down and burnt six lota (Christian) towns, besides plundering the yam crops. They likewise sent soros down to some of the principal coast towns asking them to assist in the murder of the white settlers. A body of about four hundred coast natives were about to proceed to tho plundered plantations for the purpose of recovering as much food as possible. It was expected that there would then be a collision between the belligerent forces. The Kai Colos had not in any way molest the settlers, although it is quite evident from them rising on the same day that it was a premeditated and well-organised movement. Wo would suggest that the Government despatch a small force of white men as some protection for our countrymen on those coasts. — Fiji Times.