FIJI: ITS PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 68, 27 December 1871, Page 3

FIJI: ITS PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE.

Lecture by Dr. Macartney. (Continued from yesterday’s issue.) The charts and accounts given of Fiji, before the Americans surveyed the coast, were very imperfect, and the first information of importance which Europeans received concerning the character of the people and the icsources of this country might be dated from 1806, when the East Indian merchantmen began to trade with it. A number of convicts had escaped two years previously from New South Wales to these tropical climes, and the fatal effects of their muskets—then first brought into play among the sable aborigines—caused these “ old hands” to be regarded with a veneration arising from fear, as if they were gods. Such an asce dancy were they enabled to wield amongst the natives, that if the gratification of the most degrading vices had not proved their chief object, they might have been the founders of whitefellaw-rule in Fiji. But they all died the victims of their own vices, leaving no trace behind them but a continuation of their criminal tendencies. In 1826 the trade with Fiji began in the purchase of sandal wood and beche demer for the Chinese market, and the trade is said to have developed still more by American vessels. Time rolled on, and whites began to settle, until at length the United States stationed a Consul there. The people were atthattime all cannibals, and even the neighbouring tribes relished the repast of each others bodies. About 1848, Mr Consul Williams of the U.S. is alleged to have accidently set lire to his own house, and while the flames devoured the outside, the natives, true to their nature, were stealing everything from the inside. Mr Williams laid his complaint to his Government, and American vessels of war made a demand for compensation uponThakoinbau, as the “ Tui Viti ”or King of Fiji. Other burnings became became rather numerous, ancl an equal number of claims for compensation by American citizens was pressed on the King. In order to satisfy the “ east iron ” arguments of the Americans Thakombau, with the concordance of all his big chiefs, offered the islands to Great Britain, asking that nation to pay off the American debt, which had then amounted to about 45,01 Idols. After some consideration and investigation, England declined the proposal. Then Thakombau had to look around to other quarters, wherefrom to obtaiu the amount of damages claimed by America. Certain-per-sons from Victoria found that he would convey 200,000 acres of land in Fiji to any party or parties who would pay the 45,000d015. Having reported this in Melbourne, a company was formed which paid the money by instalments for the land mentioned. It is to be hoped that the “ innocent ” savage was not so cunning as to sell them. Has lie been ? Shortly afterwards, that was about 1868, i the attention of the colonies, and of VicI toria in paricular, was largely attracted | to Fiji. Its capabilities were carefully I investigated, and found to be of the highest character.

On Saturday evening Dr Macartney delivered an interesting lecture on the “ Men and Minds of ’98,” illustrative of the life and times'of Grattan, Curran, Fitzgerald, Emmett, and other eminent Irishmen of the day. The subject was treated in an eloquent and masterly manner by the lecturer, who was frequently applauded by a very large and appreciative audience.