58 THE CORAL LANDS OF THE PACIFIC. 



was signed by King Cacobau and twelve native chiefs ; also by 

 Messrs. John B. Thurston, George A. Woods, Howard Clark- 

 son, and Robert S. Swanston. This document provides that 

 there shall be conveyed to the Company, free of cost, 10,000 

 acres of country lands at the Company's choice. 3000 acres 

 of these were selected, and sold, with the other assets, to the 

 Bank of New Zealand. The liquidators of the Fiji Bank- 

 ing Company are now endeavouring to get from the British 

 Government the balance of 7000 acres, as they allege, still due 

 to them. The British Government, however, do not write in 

 what may be called a reassuring style, for in a comparatively 

 recent letter the following passage occurs. It is from the 

 Colonial Secretary of the Government of Fiji to the liquidators 

 of the defunct Company : ' Her Majesty's Government and the 

 Colonial Government entirely disclaim the slightest obligation 

 to become responsible for the liabilities incurred, or to make 

 good the engagements entered into by those who professed to 

 administer the affairs of Fiji previous to its cession to Great 

 Britain, and they are, therefore, unable to recognise the exis- 

 tence of any rights purporting to have been conferred by a 

 charter which they do not admit to be in force.' 



The Union Bank of Australia has a branch at Levuka as 

 well as the Bank of New Zealand, while the Mortgage and 

 Agency Company of Australasia, the first company formed 

 exclusively to further the interests of Fiji, is established at the 

 same place. 



In regard to matters of commercial and social convenience, 

 it should be mentioned that numerous fire, marine, and life 

 insurance companies have agencies in Levuka, and do a good 

 business. Fifty years ago its inhabitants would have insured 

 the traveller's death at a very early date. 



