A.-4

100

Vl.-The Fijis,

As the settlers are now making every exertion to extend the cultivation of cotton, it is earnestly to be hoped that their increasing industry may not be cheated, and the country retained in wanton opposition by barbarism on the part of the native chiefs. Whenever the community increases sufficiently in wealth and members, its influence will, undoubtedly, be felt in the general management of the country. Until this takes place they mustbe dependent for protection on the representatives of their different Governments, assisted by the ships-of-war which from time to time visit these islands.

No. 2. Eepokt by John B. Thurston, H.M. Consul in Fiji and Tonga, for the Year 1867. Theee has been a slight decrease in the aggregate tonnage of shipping visiting the Ports of Levuka and Eewa during the past year. This can be partly accounted for by the withdrawal of one or two ships from the trad*e, and to their being replaced by vessels of less capacity, but better adapted to insular navigation. The trade of this group is at present carried on by British vessels, sailing from ports in the adjoining colonies. The following statement shows the number of ships and gross tonnage entered, compared with last year:— 1866. 1867. British ships entered ... ... ... ... 27 24 Foreign ... ... ... ... 3 1 Gross tonnage ... ... ... 4,024 3,797 During the past year three small vessels have been built, measuring respectivively 30, 40, 45 tons. The number of small craft, belonging chiefly to British residents, occupied in Island traffic, amounts at the present time to 18, measuring in the aggregate about 350 tons. As the cultivation of cotton and other products, now engaging the attention of the settlers, progresses, it will be necessary to build or purchase other small vessels, for the purpose of collecting the various articles from outlying districts, where it would not be safe or expedient for a large ship to proceed. There is a prospect of an enterprising Sydney firm despatching a ship direct from this port to London or Liverpool during the coming year. Not having a recognized Government at Fiji, there are no port charges, dues, or imposts of any nature. The navigation of the group is open with safety from April until December, during which time the south-east trade winds prevail. From January until April, the winds are variable, frequently blowing with great violence from the north and north-west, attended with heavy rains.

Commerce. The following comparative table will indicate the progress this group has made during the past year:—

lip. addition to the above return are cash remittances, the amount of which cannot be estimated. The imports do not exceed, so far as I can ascertain, the estimate formed for the year 1866. However, during the past year, many of the immigrants from the adjoining colonies are of a class possessing some means, and have imported a considerable amount of trade and barter on their own account. The total amount of imports may approximate,— By traders ... ... ... ... ... £26,000 By settlers ... ... ... ... ... 3,000 £29,000 The satisfactory increase in the value of exports is owing to the success attending the cultivation of cotton. It will be observed, by referring to the foregoing table, that cocoanut oil, formerly the principal export, has in quantity fallen short of what might have been expected. This, however, can be explained. Cotton. The expense in shipping cotton to the colonies is excessive, and has a depressing effect upon the planter, which can only be removed by direct communication with England. This effected, I

m i5. 1868. >7. Article. Quantity. "Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Cotton Cocoanut oil , ,. BSohe-de-mer .. Wool Tortoise-shell Coir Pigs, fruit, &o. .. cwt. tons piouls lb. lb. tons 2,400 500 500 10,120 750 50 £ 9,200 11,000 1,200 400 375 1,500 500 5,880 450 300 8,396 2,000 Nil £ 19,800 9,000 600 320 1,000 7,586 150 880 469 1,700 Nil £ 34,004 3,260 1,600 134 812 250 'l50 £24,175 £30,970 £39,960