SERIOUS DISTURBANCE IN FIJI.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4768, 9 July 1894, Page 3

SERIOUS DISTURBANCE IN FIJI.

Acts of Cannibalism Reported (By Telegraph-Prcss Association) Ai'ukuxd, Monday, News from Fiji, by tho steamer Ovalan, contains particulars of a rather serious native disturbance in. that island. Governor Thurston, with an armed force, proceeded to the scene of the revolt, and settled affairs. In a very short time it was found however, that the rioters had murdered several natives, and committed nets of cannibalism, besides making sacrifices to their heathen gods. H.M.S. Orlando arrived from Suva on Juno 23rd. The Fiji native town, where the disturbance took place, is situated on the Krekeli River, in Vanmt Leva Island. . As the Government force marched in they surprised a party of natives engaged in their ccromonial. On tho next day the force advanced on the town, where hostile Figiuns were entrenched. On the natives refusing surrender, the force attacked tlicm, using rillcs, and soon carried the place after a sharp light. The Government force had four wounded, while seven of the rebels were killed. The rest of tho

insurgent garrison escaped to the mountains. Two men were killed by leaping from n precipice. The force found the bodies of two men murdered on the sth hist, partly dismembered, portions of their bodies having been eaten. They ascertained that these nets of cannibalism hnd been committed in order to propitiate the heathen deities, and that two priests had stirred up tho natives to revolt. Governor Thurston has decided to concentrate the disaffected natives into three or four large towns.