Later Fiji News.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3450, 15 January 1880, Page 2

Later Fiji News.

Arrival of the Schooner Meg MeirilieS'

By the schooner Meg Merrilies we hare news from Fiji to the 3rd inst.

The tidal wave and hurricane at Fiji, on the 11th ult. did great damage, and caused serious loss of life. Amongst the drowned were Macpherson of Tairuni, and J. B. Grundy, manager to Mr Birley, also St. L. P. Whiter, and two Fijians, lost at Ban, in a half decked boat. Three Fijian men and three women were also drowned in a canoe. At Curu two natives were drowned and every house blown down; at Kadrnaru and Nadroga the whole country was denuded of timber, and the native food crops destroyed.

The steamer Go-ahead, engaged in towing a number of lot's for the construction of Nicholl's patent slip, had to cut them adrift to secure her safety. The progress, therefore, of that much needed work at Levuka is retarded.

The schooner Stanley of Queensland, 113 tons register, caught the lull torce of a gale. She had 150 islanders on board for Fiji, who were kept under battened hatches for 30 hours with neither air nor food, and some of them suffering from dysentery at the time. Fifty subsequently died, and one committed suicide oa being discharged from Levuka Hospital. 10 more deaths are expected.

11.M.5. Emerald, which had on board Sir Arthur Gordon and suite, en route for Eotumah, encountered the cjclone off that Island, but managed to weather it safely. Strange to say, the wind was blowing in a very different direction at that island from what it was at the Fiji group. The Forthcoming Regatta. The Eegatta Committee have issued their programme, and in trophies and prize money, it is far the most valuable ever submitted in the colony. i Champion race for brigantines and schooners, 25 tons and upwards, Ist prize £100; 2nd prize, cup and £22 added ; 3rd prize £10. Trading cutters, 25 tons and upward, Ist prize, cup, value £35, aud £15 added ; 2nd prize £20; 3rd £5. This day. A large number of the late employees of Dempsey, the contractor who failed in the railway reclamation contract, obtained judgment for wages at the Resident Magistrate's Court to day.