1256 



A USTRALASIA ILL USTRA TED. 



The principal European settlements are at Levuka and Suva. Levuka is situated on 

 the eastern coast of Ovalau, a considerable island within the Navitilevu reef, while Suva 

 is built on a promontory between two extensive bays on the south coast of Navitilevu. 

 Levuka is the earlier settlement, but the seat of Government was removed to 



Suva by Sir Arthur Gordon, and since 

 the removal Levuka has been dwindling 

 both in importance and in population. 



The history of Fiji may be said to 

 begin in 1643, when Tasman passed through 

 the Group, though there is some evidence 

 that the old Spanish adventurers were there 

 before him. Captain Cook discovered Vatoa, 

 or Turtle Island, the easternmost island, 

 and laid it down on his chart with his 

 usual accuracy. Bligh sailed through the 

 Group in his wonderful boat voyage after 

 the mutiny of the Bounty, and subsequently 

 a few shipwrecked or runaway sailors, and 

 escaped convicts from Norfolk Island, man- 

 aged to establish themselves here and there 

 among the natives. But it was not until 

 Christianity began to make its way under 

 the influence of the Wesleyan missionaries 

 that anything like a considerable settlement took place. For many years vessels had been 

 trading to Fiji for sandal-wood, trepang and tortoise-shell. Subsequently a few traders 

 established stations for the purchase of cocoa-nut oil ; and in 1858 Mr. Frederick Hennings, 

 connected with- the enterprising firm of Godeffroy, of Hamburg, came over from Samoa, 

 and began operations on a more extensive scale. Later on, the cotton famine, arising out 

 of the war in America, gave a great impetus to settlement, and a considerable number of 

 gentlemen came from Australia to engage in cotton planting. At this time Thakambau, 

 who was in reality Wunivalu, or war king of the Mbau matanitu, but who was styled 

 King of Fiji, was in difficulties with the United States Government, who claimed from 

 him some nine thousand pounds as compensation for injuries said to have been inflicted 

 many years before on certain American citizens. A company formed in Melbourne paid 

 off this claim, and Thakambau readily presented to them about two hundred thousand 

 acres of land, on much of which he durst not set his foot at that time without a 

 strong band of warriors at his back. A number of settlers came down under the 

 auspices of this company, and the' stir made at the time attracted still further attention 

 to Fiji. Disputes arose with the natives, and the want of some regular form of Govern- 

 ment soon made itself felt. An absurd attempt was made to form a constitutional 



Government, with the usual Parliamentary machinery; Thakambau was crowned King of 



i 

 hiji by a few irresponsible adventurers, and the Parliament began its talking business. 



Affairs did not go smoothly, and when the legislators of the new Government under 

 "Thakambau Rex" had got things into inextricable confusion, Mr. John Bates Thurston 







A FIJIAN MALK. 



