THE FIJI ISLANDS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 321, 19 June 1868, Page 3

THE FIJI ISLANDS.

The steamship Albion, -which sailed rececently from Sydney for] Fiji and Japan, ■ had eighty passengers on hoard for King Thakomban's territory, and so numerous were the applications for berths that the 11 owners of the ship regretted they had not J " despatched her for Fiji alone, waking Mel-

bourne the port of departure. There seems to be a very general curiosity ou the subject of those islands, both here and in New South Wales, an 1 most of theAlbiou's passengers are understood to have gone thither with a view to ascertain the capabilities of the islands in the way of trade, or as a field for settlement. Two of these, Messrs. Brewer and Evans, are agents of a company which it is proposed to form in this city, to carry on extensive business operations in the Fiji group, and they have taken with them a draft charter, to which they hope to obtain the signatures of the reigning monarch and his principal chiefs. We have a copy of the charter before us, and, as it may possibly become an important historical document at some future time, we will state its more important details. In consideration of certain important privileges to be ceded to the company, the latter is to "make suitable provision for the settlement ef a claim of £IO,OOO, or thereabouts, preferred against King Thokombau by the American Gvernment, for losses said to have been sustained by American subjects who resided in his kingdom "pay the King an annuity (of which the amount has not yet been filled in) from the date of the company's formation ; pay annuities (blank sums) to certain chiefs (the number not stated); and at all times after the formation of the company well and truly ail and assist King Thakombou in upholding and defending his kingdom." So much the delegates are to undertake on the company's behalf. His Majesty, on the other part will, should he sign the charter as drafted, '' For ever grant, cede, transfer, and set over unto trustees, on behalf of the company, certain islands and parts of islands (set forth in a schedule), together with the soil or bed of all seas, rivers, and waters adjacent to or abutting on the said scheduled territory, and also all harbors, inlets, creeks, &c, which the company may now or hereafter deem necessary for the enjoyment of the said scheduled lands, &c. ; also all mines or minerals in or upon the same." The company will also have the "sole and exclusive right to impose and levy such duties of customs as to them may seem fit on the exportation and importation of g.iods into the kingdom of Fiji, and to levy wharfage or harbor rates ; and the exclusive right to establish banks and issue hank notes." No portion of the territory is to be alienated until the company has been offered " the preferential privilege of acquiring the same." The company are to have lull and absolute authority to make laws for the government of the inhabitants (native and foreign) on the lands ceded to them ; also to make laws to regulate the trade and commerce of the kingdom, or such portions of it as may be inhabited by a white or mixed population, and to establish courts, appoint judges, magistrates, &c, the King pledging himself to uphold and defend tin. ; laws made by the company, and to protect ■ the inhabitants of the company's territory, , and their property, from native or othci i | violence. What his Fijian Majesty and his : | Council of Chiefs will have to say to tlu , j delegates and theit draft charter remains |to be seen,