The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1872-03-23
From the Fiji Islands.

By the way Of Auckland, we have Liyuka dates TO
the 18th February. We compile a summary.
The natives we're paying taxes, but strong opposi-
ton was threatened by the white settlers. who had
organized 4 British Mutual Protection Society. A
Rife C5rpS had also been formed, and the Presidency
offered 10 Mr.. March, the British Consul, who Is in
dead opposition 10 the Government An armed guard
was placed BY the Government over the Treasury and
public buildings, and the Fyi Times speaks Of the
officials as walking about armed with revolSerS
Rather a happy condition Of affairs this certainly ap-
pears to an outsider, but We must hope that the good
sense and forbearance Of EnElshmen Will prevent
the occurrence, there, Of scenes fitting only for the
population Of one Of the South American Republics,
whose normal existence seems to be that Of violence
and blo0dshed. One Of the Ministry (Mr. Moods),
has gone 10 Sydney TO make representation TO the
Government there OF the quaTrels between the Consul
aud the Fiijan authorities. Mr. Manning, the Al
torney-G General. has been drowned while cruising in
a boat between the Islands. His successor i Colonel
Hamilton, formerly Of Auckland, and hitherto an
active member OF his Majesty Opposition IN tJL
DR.. Ayley, another leader Of Opposition, has become
Coroner. and those who now style themselves the de-
luded followers Of these gentlemen are indignant at
their having taken Office. They have presented 10
Mr.. Burt, the Premier, an address calling on him 10
resign. As this was succeeded by q counter address
from a much larger number Of voters, Mr.. Burt
naturally declined. In the course of an interview
with the deputaticn which presented the first address,
Mr.. Burt made the astounding charge that be had an
affidavit declaring that two Of the members Of the
utplltlllH Lau eNUIn 10 dSSAS>4.4dl- AlA o"N 49,
Woods. The charge is riiiculed by the papers, and
denounced by the Protection Society as a gross ca
lumny on the settlers. The weight of taxation on a
community hitherto entirely exempt, and the direct
form in which the taxation is levied in the absence OF
a Custom house, are the chief causes of discomfort.
The cotton crop was promising, but the picking
much interfered with by the wet weather.
The Supreme Court was in session. with q heavy
calendar. Several iurymen were fined l0dollars each
as absentees, and in the calendar was included the
forty solomon islanders who are to be tried for the
murders on board the cutter .neUG, and who have
been awaiting their trial for the previous SIX weeks,
as prisoners on board the schooner PERI, 10 Levuka
harbour. The Judge was assisted by the native judge
The iuries, we observe, consist only of seven.
The absence of a bank is much complained Of Coin
gets boarded over the country, and the chief circula-
ton is in Government notes. Gold is at a premium
of 10 per cent.
An unwarrantable outrage on the British flag was
committed by Mr.. D. W. L. Murray, the Hawaiian
Consul, and Acting Attorney-General for Fiji. The
cutter VOlunteer, a British vessel, was brought into
port by a crew which had been despatched after her
there being a claim against her by her late captain
and which had not been settled previous TO her leav-
ing port. Upon her arrival here Mr.. Murray pro
ceeded on board, and. lowering the British ensign
hoisted the Fjian flag in its place. Surely, II Mr.
Woods succeeds in inducing a British man-of-war t.
come down here TO inquire into Mr.. March's con-
duct, there will be some disagreeable items OF thel
own which will require settlement.