THE ANNEXATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4269, 25 November 1874, Page 3

THE ANNEXATION.

How it Came About. (From the Sydney Mornuifl Herald .) Said New South Wales to old John Bull, “ Fiji is upside down. The loyal king with both his hands Is holding on his crown ; The whites arc all at loggerheads, Tho Treasury looks queer, The blacks arc painting up for war, A crisis sure is near, America is keeping watch. That commerce field to nab, So pray bo first, Great Britain dear, To play the game of Grab.” Said old John Bull to New South Wales, “ X fain would own those isles, For much 1 dread some enemies May win them with their wiles ; I’m much oppressed with younger sons Whom sugar would employ, A nd cotton-growing might provide For many a cashless boy— But still the cost of planting flags Would bo too great, I fear, For adding on makes adding up, And colonies come dear.” Said New South Wales, in great concern, “ But we will gladly aid. For Parkes will lend the Governor, Or moneys shall be paid. We’ll print, survey, advise, and-toach (Let Francis, Vogel, vex ; Who’ll be the first for once [?] ha ! lift !) Annex I Annex! Annex 1 Said Mr. Bull to Hcreules, “ Go sail down in tho Pearl, And if tho King will cede Fiji Great Britain’s flag unfurl. But don’t go halves with Thakumbau, Take nothing or take all, Then Chiefs and people I’ll protect, And strike off slavery’s thrall.” Said Thakumbau within himself, “ Oh, what am I to do Between this white chief Hercules And rascally Maafu ? “ Tho one says, * Please, give me your crown, And you shall live at ease,’ The other comes with war-whoop fierce Both crown and head to seize. What I can’t keep I’d better give With truly regal grace, Britannia, here's my kingdom, ma am. (Maafu shall find his place !)” The white men drew a treaty terse, Conditions there were none, Tho chiefs they set their mark thereto— The Fiji Isles wore won I A fine fat turtle sealed tho bond, Fierce Maafu tore his hair. The Sydney merchants cried, “Hurrah, All rivals now we dare 1” Said Governor White to Brother Block, "Como visit me in town.” Said old John Bull to poor ex-King “Ah, thank you for your crown.” ■ Historical Minute for Posterity, Novcmbor.s, 1874.