548

The advent of fresh settlers has, however, done much in inspiring those whose resolution sunk with their fortunes. There are likewise less difficulties than heretofore attending the sale of lands, and the great obstacle to progress, want of labour in sufficient quantity, is being gradually overcome by the introduction of native labour from the surrounding islands. With increased capital has come a more careful system of cultivation, the introduction of a better description of food for the labourers, and likewise the assistance of steam power in ginning, cleaning, and pressing the cotton. The Brazilian seed has been superseded by the Sea Island and Egyptian, as these are found to produce more rapidly and more profitably. The Sea Island being a low growing plant, the crop is readily picked by women and children; the trees are planted 1,000 to the acre, occupying each a space of six feet six inches square; each tree produces on an average one pound of clean cotton annually. A native labourer can attend to three acres, and his wages, with the cost of his food, &c., amounts to about six pounds sterling per annum. The high price which cotton fetches at present cannot be considered a fair estimate for the future, but considering from the current prices before the war in the United States, the profits to the planters from Sea Island cotton cannot fall below £40, and from Egyptian £25 per acre.

The floods in the year destroyed many of the coffee plantations in Fiji. As few were over two years’ growth, this mischief is soon remedied. Coffee planters from Ceylon, who have visited these islands during the present year, speak in high terms of Fiji and Tonga as coffee-producing countries. For the present, however, cotton, the poor man’s crop, which yields a return in four months from the sowing, engages the attention of our settlers; and although many, foreseeing the great advantages to be derived, have also turned their attention to coffee, which gives no crop before the third year, it has not yet received the consideration which its importance merits.

The fertility of the soil in Fiji, and the general salubrity of its climate, continue to attract many settlers from the Australian and New Zealand colonies. Many are accompanied by their wives and families; and there is every reason to believe that they will occupy without opposition the lands which they have purchased.

The white population at the present time in Fiji amounts to about 400 souls, 31 of whom are women, and 53 children under 12 years of age.

The prosperity of this country is secured whenever the cotton yield is sufficiently great to warrant a direct trade with Europe, which point we may, at the present rate of increase, arrive at in about two years’ time.

The exports at present all go to Sydney, paying a freight of seventy shillings per ton, and the high additional charge for brokerage, wharfage, storage, &c., shears away at least 80 per cent. of the planter’s profits.

The poverty of the planters has hitherto placed them at the mercy of the Sydney traders, forcing them to depend on the latter for their trade goods necessary for carrying on their work; and, also, to sell their produce at the price which their creditors choose to offer.

Auckland, in New Zealand, is naturally the depot for the South Sea Island trade, it is one third of the distance nearer to Fiji than Sydney is. As the prevailing winds are fair, both foreign and returning, merchandise from Europe can be landed there and at the same prices, in about the same time as at Sydney, and the return voyage is much shorter, in addition to which, the mail by the new route of Panama will give the latest quotations of the English markets, and allow the Island traders to make their arrangements accordingly. It is much to be hoped that during the coming year the merchants of Auckland will endeavour to secure for their port the increasing trade of the South Sea Islands.

The want of roads has not as yet, made itself felt in Fiji; the settlers find good land in sufficient quantities on the sea coast or on the banks of navigable streams, and the great number of these latter have materially assisted in developing the natural resources and increasing the trade of the country. As the Islands are for the most part of volcanic origin, intersected in all directions by irregular mountain masses, the expense attending road-making would hardly have been brought within the means at the disposal of the inhabitants. Fortunately the rivers of Fiji will suffice for all purposes of trade and internal communication for some years to come. The interior of Fiji is now sufficiently well known—many parties having crossed the land during the last two years. The south-eastern third of the island is thickly timbered, very fertile; and, from its exposure to the trade winds, subject to continual rains. This district is bounded by the crests of the highest mountains in the interior, about 5000 feet high, wooded to the summits on the windward slopes. Outside this district the country is composed of clay hills, covered with coarse reeds, lemon-grass, and patches of the ironwood. As there are no forests to retain the soil in its place, the heavy tropical rains have washed it into the valleys, and cut deep fissures in the marly clay, and rendering the mountainous districts of the north-west useless, except as grazing-grounds for cattle. The valleys, however, are exceedingly fertile, and the finest samples of tobacco and sugar are produced there.

The population is very scanty in the interior of Fiji, but traces of ruined villages and abandoned cultivation everywhere abound. There can be but little doubt that this desolation is entirely due to the former internecine wars of the natives.