Ra Chases Tailevu Over Fijian Hills

Ancient Tribal Feud Causes Riot on Goldfield

From Our Own Correspondent

SUVA, February 27.

A RISING out of a domestic dispute over an alleged insult to some Fijian women, a serious fight between natives of the provinces of Ra and Tailevu broke out on the Tailevu goldfields on the night of February 9, and continued at intervals until the afternoon of the 10th (Monday).

Government officers and police had difficulty in getting the warring natives under control.

A resident of Tavua, writing to a friend in Suva, states that the trouble was much more serious than the general public was allowed to know.

Some 15 men were injured, and seven of these had to be admitted to hospital.

Since the disturbance, over 30 men have appeared in Court, and various convic tions have been recorded, two of the ringleaders being sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.

According to the stories which reached Suva the Fijians employed on the Loloma mine, about 50 or 60, are all from the province of Tailevu, whereas most of the labour employed on the Emperor and other mining properties is drawn from the province of Ra. The trouble started when one of the Tailevu men was huturaked (beaten up severely) by Ra men on the Emperor mine on the Sunday afternoon. The Tailevu men retaliated by commencing to “clean up’’ the labour lines of the Ra men at the Emperor— breaking up personal effects but not

damaging any mine property. They then returned to Loloma, and about 50 of them were on their way to report to Mr.

Theodore what had taken place, when they were met by Ra men, some 200 strong —the Emperor contingent rein forced from the other mines—and armed with steel drills, sticks and stones.

Outnumbered, the Loloma men (Tail evu) had to take to the bush at the back of the mines.

Mr. Theodore attempted to restore order, but he was not listened to. So he sent for the police, and for medical aid for the injured.

Lorry loads of Fijians commenced to pour in from Ba and Ra, and, exits being barred, the Tailevu men took to the hills in the direction of Nandarivatu.

Three Loloma men, including two of the injured, hid down the main shaft, removing part of the ladder to elhde pursuit.

Officials got in touch with Ratu Ta wake, Roko Tui Ra, and he at once went to the field, and was to a large extent instrumental in restoring order among the Ra men, ordering them all to return to their homes.

As a result of the clash, all work at the mines has been more or less held up for some time. Mr. Theodore is re ported to have said he will employ no more Ra or Tailevu men on his proper ties, but will endeavour to draw his labour from other districts.

That the root of the trouble goes much

further back than the domestic dispute referred to above is indicated by the statement of an old resident, who has had considerable experience with the natives of these two provinces. He stated that bad feeling between Ra and Tailevu had always existed, and went back to the bad old days, prior to British rule, A party of police from Suva was sent round to reinforce the local police and help to restore order.