Hooligans of Levuka
A MEETING was held on a Saturday in October 1869 by a few principal residents of Levuka, to take into consideration the conduct of several persons in town, whose actions were highly disruptive to the wellbeing of the inhabitants of the town.
J.C Smith presided over the meeting.
The Fiji Times of October 2, 1869 noted that the meeting decided that steps needed to be taken to address rowdy behaviour in Levuka Town and to uphold the law.
A Mr Perkin was chosen at the meeting to “keep an eye on the movements” of one Morgan, also known as Captain Morgan, whose behaviour was “irritating to inhabitants”.
A few days later another meeting of Levuka residents was called where it was decided that Captain Morgan and a Mr Minton should be arrested and restrained.
They were alleged to have “threatened a breach of the peace in the shape of a duel with revolvers”.
As a result, Mr Minton was sent on board the Norman and Captain Morgan, who resisted, was handcuffed, awaiting the results of another meeting to decide both men’s fate.
According to The Fiji Times, at 9 o’clock on the meeting day, inhabitants gathered and decided that
“J.B Thurston, British Consul be indemnified for all expenses that may incur in keeping Captain Morgan in safe custody”, pending the final result of the investigations
in the case between Captain Morgan and Mr Minton.
Captain Morgan was sent in irons to Sydney while Mr Minton was “severely reprimanded
for the careless use of firearms and for accepting a challenge of fighting a duel”.
“He (Morgan) was so excited and violent, as to
threaten the lives of several persons, and had to be kept in irons and strictly guarded till safely on board the Young Australian,” The Fiji Times said.