FIJI.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 118, 24 February 1872, Page 3

FIJI.

(FROM THE “ D. S. CROSS " CORRESPONDENT.) THE POSITION AND ACTION OF THE GOVERNMENT.

I The aspect of affairs in Lcvuka is nny- ! thingbutproinising. Twoparties arc in exj istence here at the present time —the Goj vermnent and the British Subject’s Mutual Protection Society. This Society is I formed for the protection of any persons I who become members, in case the Government should seize property for taxes. I The taxes are excessively high, so much so that many, who arc trying to get on in the hope of a bright future, will be compelled to close business. The whole of the business will in such a case probably revert to those energetic merchants who are also members of the Fijian Executive.—Some rather good sport it has been our lot to witness during the last few days in the shape of “ ship-capturing.” One of our shipping linns was running short of yams, and sent word to the. crew of one of the boats belonging to him to proceed to Ban for the purpose of obtaining a supply ; but the ship had no sooner got under weigh than our Government man-of-war (a two-ton barge) went in pursuit, stating that they could not proceed to sea (some 20 miles) without getting a clearance from the Fijian Customs. The vessel came back to her anchorage ; and this morning another of the same firm’s vessels got under weigh with no intention of leaving, but simply to have some fun with our “ Commodore.” She got up the harbour, and then turned her head to the passage, which was no sooner done than the Government vessel (the notorious Vivid) was in pursuit,much to the disgust of Commodore Iledstrom. The vessel quietly sailed inside the reef for some time, and the poor Commodore did not know what to do. I should have mentioned before that immediately on getting under weigh the Vivid discharged two of her guns—we suppose for the purpose of intimidating the other vessel. I am afraid that in trying to enforce their harbour regulations the Government will have some rather tough work, for without doubt we have a queer class of society here, especially those who have been in the slave trade for some time.—Our worth}- Minister of Lands and Works, the lion. G. A. Woods, has gone to Sydney. The object of his leaving is to lay the present relations of the Fijian Government with the British Consul in Lcvuka before the proper authorities there, with a view of inducing them to recall Mr March. We can hardly think that Mr Woods will content himself with only the one object ; and as it is not altogether, we suppose, “a war at his own charges,” but that the country will have to bear the expense, we think he will attempt to float some Fijian debentures. ft would be highly refreshing to the people of Fiji to see their stocks quoted amongst other securities.—The present crop of cotton, you will perceive, on reference to the Fiji Timex, is likely to supersede any previous one, and there is every prospect of the planters making something of a rise this year, the additional (id per lb in the English market being very encouraging.— The weather is beginning to show signs of imscttlemcut, and we expect before long the commencement of the hurricane season.

(FKOM TIIK 1 FIJIAN TIMKS.’) FATAL ACCIDENT TO THE ATTO HNEY-GE N EI I A L. Jt in our painful duly (o record (lie death of Mi' Manning, a young gentleman who arrived here from Sydney in the barque Meteor, on the 'lr> November last, and who, although only with us for wo short a time, has won the respect of those amongst whom lie lived. Shortly after his arrival he was appointed Acting Attorney-General to the Government. ill-health, however, prevented him from giving any close attention to his duties, and he obtained leave of absence for fortnight, in order that he might visit an adjacent, island, and recruit his energies. Feeling better than usual, lie left here on Sunday morning, with two half castes and a Fijian fora crew, but did not take any provision with them, intending to call at a plantation on the way down to obtain some. The wind, however, was 100 strong ahead for them to make the place, and so they returned to Levuka, getting olf Levtika Point about dusk. Hero a squall struck the boat and capsized her, when she immediately sank, being ballasted with bricks, and the four men were thrown into a rough sea to struggle for life. A half-caste bravely clung to the deceased gentleman, even after lie supposed he held a corpse. The Fijian also assisted just directly after the accident, but it is supposed 1 hat a shark took him down, whilst the half-caste had let go his hold of Mr Manning for the purpose of divesting himself of his clothes. TIIE MEYA MURDERERS. Levuka has witnessed a spectacle of gaunt misery the last two days, enough to make one’s blood curdle. It was the sight of the Meva murderers, who, for a period of nearly two months, have been confined upon a small vessel in tin harbour; and, judging from their weak and emaciated condition, they must have been nearly I starved during that time. Most of the | men arc nothing better tlum skin-covered, I animated skeletons, and their state (like ! the Treasury accounts) does not reflect ! any credit on the Government. In fact, i if these people are not soon better cared for, Dr liyley will .he again called in to hold some more inquests on their number. Tliev appear at present to ho only walking about to save funeral expenses ; and the ! opinion of many is that it would have been ! a more humane thing to have shot them : down at once, instead of bringing them on ! to Levuka. WRECK OF THE GUTTER MARGARET. Levuka has been visited by a very heavy southerly blow, which lasted for a few hours only. It was the same squall in which Mr Manning unfortunately lost his life. The Margaret, cutter, was'lying at anchor nearly opposite Burt’s jetty, and i just before seven o'clock (in the. attempt ' to place her in a safe position) drifted on the Reading-room Point. Hero she was dashed by the waves upon the rocks and i knocked to pieces. The only remains of ! her now arc a few scattered fragments j strewed about the point. The Margaret I was the property of Mr J. B. Swann,

REPORTED INTENTION OF ASSASSINATING MR BURT AND LIEUT. WOODS. A deputation recently waited upon Mr Burt to request him to resign his seat in the House of Delegates and his office in the Ministry. Mr Burt said the matter should have his easly consideration and reply. There were two gentlemen present whom, under any other circumstances, he should certainly not have received, as he had it on sworn information that they were implicated in a plot to assassinate himself and Mr Woods. The deputation declaimed any knowledge of such things, and the two gentlemen, whom Mr Burt named, denied the statement as ridiculous and untrue. Mr Burt subsequently intimated his willingness to resign if requested to do so by a majority of his constituents, but stated that he had received a requisition from 90 electors, urging him to continue in office.