FIJI ISLANDS.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 263, 27 April 1860, Page 4

FIJI ISLANDS.

Some time ago we (Sydney Empire, March 19) informed our readers that a meedog of the principle chiefs of the Fiji Islands had beeu called, for the purpose of handing over the control of the islands to the British Government. Captain Rogers, of the brig Gratia, which arrived on Saturday night from Ovalau, has kindly furnished us with the following further particulars. The ohiefs of Fiji are rehorted to have signed a document ceding the Fiji Islands to England, through the influence of Mr. Consul Pjritchard.

■ A new port has been surveyed, called Port Einnain, on the south end of Ovalau, and allotments 6f:land laid out in expectation of a large settlement being, formed by immigrants from the colonies and adjacent islands.

A.-poor clergyman, who found it impossible to provide for himseif and family ■ with his very slender income, wrote to his Mend—" Dear B- —-yl-muet part with myj living to save my life." Another one will soon have to do the same thing.

The Bishopric of Queensland in Australia.—A meeting was held last month in the Egyptian-hall, Mansion House, for the purpose of providing for the endowment of the new bishopric of Brisbane, Queens! and, Australia. The Bishop of London presided, and there were also present the Bishop of Oxford, Salisbury, and Brisbane, Mr. L. Jellicoe Hubbard, and Lord Forbes. The new diocese was stated by the Bishop of London to extend over, an area of 60,000 square miles, and was to bo divided into ten ecclesiastical districts. The sole endowment of the see was isooo, and the bishop would have to look to the colonists themselves for provision for maintenance and a house; he would have to provide clergymen for seven of these districts, while additional districts were to be formed and a mission to the native, tribes opened. The bishop, therefore, appealed for assistance to the Church at home for temporary support for additional olergy, outfits and passage of missionaries and candidates for the ministry, and for other needful purposes connected with the near see. The Bishop of Salisbury moved the first resolution, to the effect that the meeting, whilst it acknowledged the unwearied labors of the Bishop of Newcastle, desired to express its ; .satisfaction at the sub-division of his vast by the ereotion of the see of Brisbane. ? The Bishop of Brisbane, in seconding the resolution, entered into some details respecting the people who dwelt in his diocese and the extent of spiritual aid afforded them. The resolution was then agreed to. The Bishop of Oxford moved a resolution to the effect that the sparse and scattered population of the diocese formed a strong claim upon the Church at home for temporary assistance. This resolution wds unanimously agreed to, and after addresses from Archdeacon Mackenzie and Mr. E. Hamilton, in support of the objects of the meeting, and a vote of thanks to the Lord Mayor for the use of the Egyptian-hail, the proceedings terminated in the usual manner.—-i/onie News, 18th February.