THE FIJIS.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 696, 5 July 1870, Page 2

THE FIJIS.

"V T^e following is a copy of the memorial Recently «ht to the British Government, & suppli&l jx> the Fiji Times by Mr J. B. Thttrsto#lrfte Acting Consul at Levuka : Hon. the Darlof Clarendon^ fief Majesty's Secretary of State for Affairs. The memorial of the undersigned native chiefs and foreign residents j^^ijLhumbly_showeth--Thatat^pablic meeting, held at Levuka, Qvalau, Fiji, on the.l4fch June, to consider the expediency of memorialising the American or some -.Gdvesnnaentywiththe object «f iacktoing it to take this group of islands- under its protection, it was proposed and carried by a large and influential majority^that the present condition of Fiji renders it imperative upon this community, essentially British, in conjunction with the dominant chiefs, to at once demoralise $he British Government, praying it toSgrant Fiji protection for ten, fifteen, or twenty years, in order that-nrince annexation to the Grown -is opposed to policy of her. Majesty's Government— the native chiefs, with the assistance of competent foreign residents, may be permitted and assisted to cultivate a form of government analagous to that of the .Sandwich Islands. -Your memorialists pray your lordship may dwell upon the large and increasing connection with' the Australian colonies, and the apparent necessity for providing .due protection alike to settlers sind natives. . In the event of her Majesty's ■Government eritertaining this petition, your lordship's memorialists pledge themselves to accept all the .obligations, her Majesty's Governlnenjt may deem it wise or necessary to impose, Arid, your ; lordship's memorials, as in duty bbund, will ever pray.* (Sifnfd) Thakobaxj, King of Bau> for himself and family ; by local chiefs opposite ; Maafc, /King of Lav, and Tui Buaand Tui Cakau ; and ] 20 white residents. Through the courtesy of a gentleman of position in Melbourne, we (Age) are enabled to give the following extracts received, from: the Fijis recently, from a gentleman there. For public information we append them : — " There is a regular rush here after land ; people are flockifig in from all parts of the various colonies, and land is rapidly rising in value. Planting.— As an instance of successful planting, I know one planter wh6 commenced a little more than three years ago with only ten men, who has cleared nearly L 13,000 from his plantation, and with ordinary luck his crop next season will produce about L4OOO. He has acres under cultivation. Levuka is growing up like a gold fields township ; storekeepers are doing tremendous business, hotels are crowded, and everything going ahead. I have not seen such a stirring place, since the olden days' of the colony. There is a fine opening for a first-class hotel. Parties coming here must have capital. Any fellow, with an ordinary, amount of, brains and a little capital can do well' here, ]bpt they must not look much for luxury, as roughing it is all the go here." As to banking the correspondent says— -"Doing business here: is ivery unsatisfactory, as merchants' orders and I O U's are the circulating medium.' A branch- lank connected with any Melbourne institution would coin money." Again, as to tradifigf lie says—" For trading, obtaining labotttf, . &c., amongst, the islands, , a smart: vessel of from 80 to 100 tons is absolutely necessary. A small steamer with light draught of water would be invaluable.; ; I; .have known L3OOO per month paid for a small craft to go for labour!

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