The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1872-03-20
Fijian News.

By the LRtitia We have news to the l2th instant
from Levuka. We are informed the Lgtitia, having
left without q Customs clearance, was chased and
fred into by one Of the Government cruisers and
compelled TO return. The captain had been under
the impression that clearance as heretofore, from
the Consul, was sufficient.
The natives were paying taxes, but strong opposi-
ton threatened by the white settlers, who had
organized a British Mutual Protection Society. a
rife corps had also been formed and the presidency
offered to MI. March, who is in dead opposition to
the Government. An armed guard was placed by
the Government over the Treasury and public build
ings, and the FIJI Tunes speaks of the officials
walking about armed with revolvcrs. Rather
happy condition Of affairs this certainly appears to
an outsider but we must hope that the good sense
and forbearance OF Englishmen viii prevent the oc
currence there Of scenes fitting only for OF the
South American Republics, whose normal existence
seems 10 be that Of violence and bloodshed One of
the Ministry, Mr.. Wood, has gone to Sydney TO
make representation TO the Government there of the
quarrels between the Consul and the Fjian authori
ties. Mr. Manning, the Attorney General, has been
drowned while cruising in boat between the
Islands. His successor is Col Hamilton, formerly
Of Auckland, and hitherto an active member of His
Majesty's Opposition in Fiji Dr. Ayley another
leader of the Opposition, has become Coroner, and
those who now style themselves the deluded follow
ers of these gentlemen indignant at their having
taken Office. They have presented to Mr.. Burt, the
Premier, an address calling on him to resign. As
this succeeded BY a counter address from much
larger number of voters, Mr.. Burt naturally de-
ciued. In the course Of an interview with the dep
utation which presented the first address, Mr. Burt
made the astounding charge that he had an affidavit
declaring that two of the members Of the deputation
had sworn to assassinate him and Mr. Wood. The
charge is rdiculed by the papers, and denounced by
the Protection Society as gross calumny on the
settlers The weight Of taxation a community
hitherto exempt, and the direct form in which the
taxation is levied in the absence of CustOmhouse,
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 10 session, with a heavy
calendar. Several jurymen fined $40 each as
absentees, and in the calendar were included the
forty solomon Islanders who TO be tried tor the
murders on board the cutter Meva, and who have
been awaiting their trial for the previous six weeks
on board the schooner Peri. in Levuka barbor. The
Judge assisted by the native Judge The juries,
We observe, consist only OF seven.
Respecting the Letitia, schooner q correspondent
writes: The Letiiia, in coutraveniion of the har-
Dor regulations lately framed by the Fijian Govern
ment, endeavOred to depart from Levuka without
clearing out The Government regulations were,
however, well known by all. The Royal gun-boat
resolved on indicating the law, and accordingly
fired into the LPtitia, which vessel was obliged to
return and clear out according to the harbOr reCu-
lations of Fiji II is pity that vessel wearing the
British Tag should disobey the powers that be-
and legal regulations, as 10 compel such extreme
measures. New Zealand vessels are rendering
themselves rather too obnoxious in the South Sea
Islands,
The absence OF bank Is much complained of
Coin gets boarded over the country, and the chief
is in Government notes. Gold is at
premium Of 10 per cent.
We clip the following from the Times Of the 9Th
Instant
The Supreme Court met on Monday morning last,
and was adjourned until Thursday, pending the
arrangements for the appointment Of an Attorney
General, in place Of Mr.. Manning, deceased Many
Of our readers viii be enlightened when they learn
that the honorable and gallant Colonel Hamilton
-as Mr. Wood fsceiiousy called him--the we'll
known leader of the Opposition, and member for
Nadroga, is chosen to ill that post. No doubt,
from bis legal acumen and versatile talents, be will
make the office TO one be honOred in the sight Of all
men.
An uuwarrantable outrage on the British flag was
last Sunday by Mr.. D. W. l. Murray, the
Hawaiian Consul, and Acting Attorney General for
Fiji. On that DAY the cutter Volunteer, British
vessel WIS brought into port by a crew which had
been dispatched after her there being Calm against
Der BY her late captain which had not been settled
previous her leaving port Upon her arrival here
Mr.. Murray proceeded on board, and, lowering the
English ensign, hoisted the Fisn flag in its place
Surely, if Mr., Wood succeeds in inducing British
TO come down here to inquire into Mr..
March's conduct. there will be some disaCreeable
items OF their Own which will require settlement
n 2. Herald