✨ Fiji Islands Trade and Commerce Report
The Kidney and Egyptian cotton is of
much larger growth, requiring to be planted
12ft. by 12ft. It is sown in the same
months as the Sea Island. The picking
season is in July. A second and lighter crop
can be gathered in December. The average
yield of this cotton is 1,200 lbs. per acre,
yielding about 350 lbs. of clean fibre, the
value of which, in Fiji, is about £15 sterling.
All varieties of cotton in Fiji are per-
ennial.
The number of bales leaving Fiji during
the present season will be 2,500, of which
90 will be Sea Island; thus the remainder
say 2,400, will consist of the less valuable
varieties, Egyptian, &c., &c.
A bale of cotton weighs 350 lbs. which
stated as above is the produce of an acre.
I estimate the land at present in cultivation
by Europeans, as follows:—
Acres in cotton—No of bales of
350 lbs ... 2,400
Acres in cotton, coffee, corn,
beans, yams, and vegetables
generally ... 800
Acres cleared and in course of
cultivation ... 1,500
Total in cultivation ... 4,700
Estimated area of land held by
Europeans ... 160,000
Uncultivated ... 155,300
The cultivation is carried on by labourers
obtained from the neighbouring islands.
The implements used are large knives and
hoes. Like all Polynesian races, these
people prefer sitting to standing, whilst at
any occupation, therefore they can not be
induced to work with hoes or spades, unless
they be given to them. Nevertheless, a fair
amount of work is done, provided they are
judiciously managed, well fed and cared
for.
The expense in cultivating land in Fiji, is
the same as stated in the report of 1866.
Three years back there were only two
cotton gins and windmill in all Fiji; at the
present date there are about thirty gins, and
five steam engines.
For short stapled cottons the saw gins are
preferred, and for the longer, "knife gins."
In the import of agricultural implements
there is also an increase, several ploughs,
harrows, and cultivators being now in use;
for the working of which and for breeding
purposes, seven horses and thirty-five head
of cattle have been imported within the last
few months.
POPULATION.
The white population is steadily increasing.
The following statement shews the number
of residents subject to civilized authority.
The native population of Fiji may be
roughly estimated at 100,000; they are, how-
ever, rapidly decreasing.
I have received the following authentic
information of the births and deaths at three
towns during the past year. The first town
is situated upon the Island of Ovalau, which
contains the principal port of the group,
and is the residence of the greater portion
of the white people. The second is at Sosi,
a division of Bau, at which place only a mis-
sion family resides permanently, but Euro-
peans call there daily. The third is Ba,
upon the north-west coast of Viti Levu,
where no Europeans reside and visitors are
rare.
Town. ... Died. ... Born ... of Which
Died.
Tai ... 41 ... 7 ... 7
Sosi ... 27 ... 0 ... 0
Ba ... 60 ... nil. ... nil.
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Auckland Provincial Gazette 1868, No 23
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Fiji Islands Trade and Commerce Report
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🌏 External Affairs & TerritoriesTrade, Commerce, Exports, Imports, Cotton, Oil, Wool, Fiji Islands, Agriculture, Sugar, Maize, Tortoise Shell, Pigs, Timber, Fruit