THE PROGRESS OF THE FIJIS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 53, 27 January 1872, Page 4

THE PROGRESS OF THE FIJIS.

[lndependent.] Nothing can convey a better idea of the extraordinary change which has taken place in the social and political condition of the small settlement at the Fijis than a perusal of the newspapers issued at Levuka. We have now before us the " Fiji Gazette" of the 6th instant, and we venture to say that anyone not previously aware of the extremely recent period of the colonisation of the isolated island of the South Pacific, where it is published, would imagine he was reading the history of the ordinary events common to colonies such as New Zealand and those of Australia. The newspaper itself is a large sheet, well printed, containing an excellent quantity of trade announcements, and two leading articles of considerable ability, besides reports of local occurrences, such as one is accustomed to read every day in our own colony, The " Gazette" is apparently an official journal, and contains auouncements of the movements of the " Ministry" and talks about " the Government" much as is done in Australia and New Zealand. We hear amongst other things from the journal before us that a Royal Commission for investigating titles to land has been appointed and has made its report in due form something after the fashion of the Land Claims Commission in this colony many years ago. The report conveys the idea that the Commissioners have set about their difficult task in a painstaking and statesmanlike manner, and judging from the report they have had the same difficulties to contend with as ■ have been met with in adjusting claims in NewZealand. The same kind of native land law appears to exist in Fiji as here—the land being subject to a variety of claims from feudatory chiefs, and the several descending holders or occupiers which tend to involve the legal position of the white settlers very considerably. The Commissioners have prescribed certain guiding principles in dealing with titles to land which recognise first the "dues of the superior chief;" second " the rights of petty chiefs and native occupants"—so far as their rights existed prior to the date of the Constitution. Subsequent to that period titles are to be subjected to the additional claim of the " King's Royality or Suzerainty." It is very interesting to trace the close analogy between the native customs in Fiji and those in New Zealand. For instance, there exists a certain tenure of land which is only valid so long as the land is beneficially occupied—cultivated for purposes of food. This land does not seem to be subject to any tribal right, but simply belongs for the time to the individual or individuals cultivating it. The Commissioners propose to investigate and confirm the the various titles so as to validate conveyances to settlers, and any contracts already entered into between the natives and the colonists must be substantiated by " His Majesty." Claimants are to be heard before the Commissioner, and on a satisfactory title being proved a certificate equivalent to a Crown Grant will be issued. The commission is made out in the usual pompous language of regal appointments, headed " Oakobau Rex" and countersigned by "the Hon G. A. Woods, Minister of Lands and Works," who is also Chairman of the Commission. Next to strike our attention is the election of a Mayor of the Municipality of Levuka, an event that was some months ago preceded by the election of a Parliament. The city—for so we suppose it must be called—is divided into two wards, each returning two represen-

tatives, with a fifth representative as Mayor. The " Gazette" says, " for every position there were more officeseekers than vacancies," which speaks well for the public spirit of the citizens of Levuka, and the usual " keen contest" followed. There were four candidates for the Mayoralty, and a Mr Morey was elected. The number of votes polled gives one an idea that the burgesses as yet are not very numerous, the Mayor being elected by o 7 votes only, and in no case in the election of councillors did the polling reach above thirtyeight. Justice appears to be dispensed in the ordinary European fashion, for we see that in the " Police Court," before " Mr Brougham, P.M., and Ratu Melee, J P.," four Europeans and one native paid the penalty for drunkenness, and one was " discharged with a caution." Two natives were sentenced to "six additional months and placed in leg irons " for " escaping from lawful custody." They have also at Levuka a " Warden's Court," which appears to deal with the higher class of misdemeanors; for instance, one Dr Fieeman was accused of stealing a bag of letters the property of the " Postmaster. General," and the prisoner was defended by counsel in the ordinary manner.

The social dulness of Levuka is not allowed to go without palliatives. There have been " sports" at a place called Vagadace, at which athletic trials, footraces, vaulting, and quoit matches formed the programme. The New Year rejoicings wound up with nothing less than a " Fancy Ball," and the Gazette, which is evidently the chronicler of fashionable movements, publishes a list of the notables present and a description of the costumes worn. All sorts of characters, from Ibrahim Pasha to a Fiji chief were personated by the males, and the ladies made a selection from a variety of costumes, from that of "Venus" (which must have been well adapted to the climate) down to that of "a flirt of the 19thcentury." Theballwasgivenby"the Speaker and the Ministry." The advertising columns of the " Gazette" contain in addition to the ordinary trade advertisement a number of Government notices which give one an idea that the new Government is doing i wonderfully well. For example there is a notice " to all claimants of lands in the kingdom of Fiji" instructing them to present their claims to the commissioners appointed for the purpose. Then comes a list of the post office mails from the " General Post Office, Levuka," to the various settlements throughout the group. Next we have a " Schedule of the fees to be charged for land registration," and a "'list of fees to be taken by the clerks of magistrates acting in the kingdom of Fiji" almost afae simile in regard to to the instruments used of similar notices in this colony. Then we have a notice that " all vessels bound for ports beyond the kingdom must give the Post-master-General twenty-four hours' notice of their departure, and vessels clearing for ports within the kingdom twelve hours' notice." A list of the " Acts of Parliament assented to by his Majesty," is published, containing amongst other measures an " Appropriation Act," a " Loan Act," an " Electoral Act," a " Foreign and Native Labor Act," and an " Executive Act." In another column his Majesty notifies that " with the advice of his Cabinet" he has been pleased to accept the resignation of three Ministers named, and to appoint others, A " Commissioner of Stamp Duties" is appointed, and the " Minister of Finance" issues regulations on the subject of the payment of public moneys. The Europeans who have taken Cakobau under their wing are evidently determined not to be idle, and according to all appearances the singular experiment now being made in Fiji is likely to prove successful.