THE FIJIS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 72, 26 June 1869, Page 3

THE FIJIS.

The following letters from Mr. and Mrs. Chalmers, late of Moa Plat Station, have been forwarded to us for publication. The numerous friends of that lady and gentleman will rejoice to hear of their welfare ; and the vivid picture of Fijian life will no doubt interest the general reader : — Eewa Eiver, Fiji, April 5. My deab, Mes. X , I have not written to you before partly because it is not very easy in our present discomfort, and partly because the chance of sending a letter is very rare. I am sure you will be very sorry to hear that we have lost your dear little nursling Lily, who, from the heat and from dysentery while teething, was taken from us, after a week's illness. This has made me very dispirited, and I long to get away. Tommy has also been very ill, but is now mending again, as the hot weather has passed. This place is too warm, and there are so many flies and mosquitoes biting day and night ; and a fortnight since a hurricane blew down all our buildings and injured our cotton ; and we are now living in a little place fifteen feet square, with all our things in it too. However, we hope to leave an overseer to manage, and live in Tasmania quietly, and educate our children, which we could not do in New Zealand on the same money. This place is rich land, and will be valuable ; but just now there are too many drawbacks for a family — principally want of fresh meat, fish and vegetables. My little baby girl was born on the 25th January, and is now strong and healthy. Only Mr. Chalmers was with me, and within a fortnight my pet was taken ill. Be sure that B A writes soon. Eemember me to all friends, and believe me Yours truly, E. Chalmers.

Eewa Eiver, Fiji, April 5. Dear Mes. X , I have been sitting fanning my wife while she wrote a few lines, otherwise the flies and mosquitoes : would, I really believe, have eaten her up. lam just hurrying through a few lines under a similar infliction, stopping every three seconds or so to kill a few mosquitoes. As you may read by Mrs. Chalmers' letter, we do not intend to make Fiji our home, if for no other reasons than the present discomforts and the want of schools. Money is to be made here there is no doubt, but it must be made by the sacrifice, on the part of women and children, of every comfort, the deprivation of proper nourishing food, and a life of torment from flies, mosquitoes and heat. Whether moneymaking compensates one or not depends on the person trying it ; for my part, I think I can see my way to living a quiet life elsewhere, and making this place a sort of milk-cow, from whence to draw supplies, even if but limited. *> If any one in your district thinks of coming here, let them think twice ; without money no one need come. Black labour is cheap, therefore white labour is not employed ; and with money a man may, I tbink, get on elsewhere. We live on salt beef and yams, tea and sugar, and bread — fresh meat quite unattainable ; fish scarce, and fruit also. I hope your sons are still making a decent living ; £200 or £300 would start them here — so it would anywhere else ; and though I cannot personally complain of the climate — having had good health — still, it is too hot for children.

By and by, when good houses and creature comforts are as plentiful as they are now scarce, Fiji will be a nice residence from April to November, escaping the heat and the hurricanes — which latter visitation, more severe this year than ever known, came on us on the 14th March. At 8 p.m. we had seven houses standing; at 11, nothing left. I have seen it blow quite as hard at the Plat ; and if New Zealand houses were as ill and wretchedly built as Ejji houses, they wouldn't stand three hou?s of a nor'wester at the Plat. They are cheap to rebuild, but we must wait three months for thatch, — it having been destroyed as well, — and new reeds must have time to .grow.

We have only received one paper from New Zealand since we left, and no letters, and we are getting veryanxious. I hope you are all keep well. Pray remember me to all enquiring friends, and believe me Tours very sincerely,

Nath. Chalmees.