HOISTING THE BRITISH FLAG AT FIJI.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1232, 27 November 1874, Page 2

HOISTING THE BRITISH FLAG AT FIJI.

[FIJI AUGU3.] And now the crowning ceremony—the hoisting of the British flag—was to take place. The signing being over his Excellency and suite, &c, proceeded to the verandah of the building and took up a front position in view of the assembled multitude; King Cacobau standing on the Governor's left hand, and Commodore Goodenough on his right, bis Excellency then, in a most clear and most distinct voice said : " The legal forms for the transfer of the Government of this country .to the Queen have just been completed, and will be made public through the medium of the Gazette in the cpurse of a few hours. It now, therefore, only remains for me to declare Fiji to be from this time forth a possession and dependency of the British crown. (Loud cheers.) I fervently trust that this important step will tend to dovelope the great natural capabilities of these beautiful islands, and at the same time conduce largely to the contentment and happiness of all classes of the population. (Applause.) I hope, too, that past differences and disagreements will henceforth be forgotten, and that all local animosities will this day be buried at the foot of the staff on which we are now about to hoist the British flag." (Loud cheers.) Lieutenant Elwyn, of H.M.S. Pearl was in attendance to perform the ceremony of hoisting the British standard and, at a signal from the Governor, a stalwart blue jacket, one of the signalmen of the Pearl who was with him, lowered the Fijian flag. Then bending on its proud successor—the flag of Englaud ascended and waved for the first time over the Tsles of Fiji. Who shall describe the three stentorian cheers that then burst forth from the assembled multitude? The troops presented arms, the band played the National of England, and the flag was saluted by the booming of twenty-one guns from the Pearl. It was a glorious and soul-in-spiriting sight, and one that can never be forgotten by those who witnessed it, Not the ) least curious amongst the varied emotions that presented themselves were those of the noble old King and his grey-headed chieftains, who stood by to witness their voluntary sacrifice in the interests of the people. They looked on,, let us say, not without a marked air of deep sadness. As their own flag descended several of them muttered audibly 8a Male I Sa Mate ! or dead! dead! And he who could look upon these simple, though high caste chiefs indifferently, as they gave up their birthright aud all that every mortal being holds dear—their country —must be hard-hearted indeed, if he could not feel for them the fullest sympathy. But the ceremony was complete. His Excellency desired three cheers for the Queen, which having been given, he said : " I now ask you to give three cheers for the Vanivalu. He has shown himself to be a great Prince, in what he has done, consulting only the interests of his people." A hearty response was given : I to this appeal.