LIFE IN LEV UKA. 57 



as also to Samoa (Navigators' Islands), and all the out-lying 

 archipelagos. , 



The first postage-stamps ever used in Polynesia were those 

 of the Fiji Times, of the values of Id., 3d., and 6d. Under 

 King Cacobau's government regular perforated stamps were 

 introduced, and good specimens of art they are. The stock 

 not being exhausted at the cession, a V. E. has been simply 

 printed in black lettering over the engraved C. R and crown, 

 and these are now the ordinary tokens of free postage in the 

 group and far beyond. The value of these stamps, as issued 

 by the late Government, were, I think, Id., 3d., and 6d., 

 although the British authorities have changed the value of 

 some of the colours, which are respectively blue, green, and 

 pink, by just printing a new price on them. A new shilling 

 stamp with the Queen's head has just been issued. Letters 

 reach Levuka in about fifty-five days from London, but usually 

 take sixty days in getting home. 



Before our annexation the coinage was all in dollars and 

 cents, American and English money being taken equally, the 

 latter at four shillings for one hundred cents. The first paper 

 money was that issued by a private firm, Messrs. Brewer and 

 Joske, of Suva, in connection with the Polynesian Land Com- 

 pany ; but these notes were for very small sums. 



King Cacobau's Government issued some beautifully exe- 

 cuted notes for five and ten dollars, bearing the initials of his 

 Majesty, with the crown and arms of Fiji, with a Fijian motto : 

 ' Perevaka na Icalouka Doka no, tui,' or, ' Fear God and Honour 

 the King,' underneath. The ' supporters ' were palm-trees. 



The earliest effort to introduce financial facilities into the 

 group was that of the Fiji Banking and Commercial Company, 

 a society in close connection with the Bank of New Zealand. 

 The charter of the former was dated August 19th, 1873, and 



