420 A MISSION TO VITI. 



Q. 2. Do the natural harbours now existing require much, if 

 any, artificial development for naval purposes ? Whether such 

 harbours are few or many ? 



A. 2. There are several roadsteads and harbours in the Fiji 

 group, the principal of which is the extensive harbour of Levuka, 

 on the eastern side of Ovalau ; this harbour has good holding- 

 ground, is easy of access, and has every facility for the supply of 

 fruit, vegetables, wood, and water. Gau, on its western side, 

 has a sheltered roadstead of large extent. Totoga is surrounded 

 by a coral reef, within which is a spacious sheltered anchorage, 

 with good holding-ground and an entrance for ships. All the 

 above harbours have been thoroughly surveyed by order of the 

 Admiralty, and plans of them, on a large scale, are available 

 when required. These natural harbours will not require any 

 artificial development for naval purposes. 



3. There is nothing unusual in the tides and currents around 

 the Fiji group ; they depend chiefly on the prevailing winds ; nor 

 are they of sufficient strength to render the entrance into or 

 egress from the harbours dangerous. There is no present ne- 

 cessity for buoys, beacons, or lights, but should trade greatly 

 increase, or should mail-steamers call by night, a light would 

 become necessary. 



4. The Fiji Islands lie nearly in the direct track from Panama 

 to Sydney, as will be seen by the annexed chart of the Pacific 

 Ocean, on which I have shown that track, as also one by calling 

 at the Fijis, whence it appears that the steamer, if she touched 

 at one of the Fiji isles for coal, would lengthen her voyage only 

 about 320 miles, or one day's run out of 32 days, on a distance 

 of 8000 miles. In like manner it appears, that on the voyage 

 from Vancouver Island to Sydney, the touching at Fiji would 

 lengthen the distance 420 miles in a voyage of 7000 miles. An 

 intermediate station between Panama and Sydney will be most 

 desirable ; indeed, if the proposed mail route is to be carried out, 

 it is indispensable. One of the Society Islands, as lying half- 

 way, would be a more convenient coaling station; but as they 

 are under French protection it seems doubtful if one could be 

 obtained. The Consul at Fiji, in the enclosed papers, hints at 

 the possibility of coal being found in one of the islands ; if this 



