Aunexation of Fiji.

Bruce Herald, Volume VII, Issue 650, 17 November 1874, Page 6

Aunexation of Fiji.

PRESENTING THE KUG S WAR CLUB

An incident of great interest took place after the signing ot the deed of cession. It will be remembered that at the time the F jiau P rliainent was in its full bl)om and vigor, a mace, an insignia of its authority, had been manufactured in Syduey. This mice ia made of the King's own war club, and beautifully ornamented with scrolls, in solid silver, fiosted, of palm leaves, and other emblems of the tropical treasures we possess, and surmounted by a no^le crown. It is certainly an elegant trophy, and when at the request of the King, the mahogany caskei winch contained it was opened, and it was uktm out and l*id "efore his Excellency, "•i" Hercules evidently regarded the proceeding with surprise enu cimosity. At tue King's request Mr Thnrston ex plained t • the Governor that in }ic?ordanc« wnh ancient usnge, His Majj-ty was desirous <if pres.'-utiug to Q.iedi Victoria a mark of h s submission and of his Jove, in off ri g his alHjia- cc, and in c informing t-> a new and better state of thin-ja in th-s history ■if his country. It had occurred to him th-*c his wn war club, which, i>efore Christianity and civilisation prevailed, was the only law by which >he country wa* ruled— had l-ng been the only code the people knew — would not oe v -acceptable to tier Majesty, wh > w ud see by the «mble ua of pease it bore the great change that had taken place h«re Mr Tim is on further rtnurket that the token vow • ffeivd ha 1 been prepared for the Parliament of Fiji, and trusted that Sir •-'eroules Robinson would forward it to Her Majesty as a present fr><m the King. Sir Hercules requested Mr Thurston to »elt the Kuiij that he should forward his present to Queen Victoria, and dJso an ace unt of its history, and was sura Her Majesty would receive it with great, interest. THE FINAL ACT. Lieutenant Elwyn, of H M.S. Pearl, was in attendance to perform the ceremony of hoisting the British standard, and at a signal from the Governor, a stalwart blue jacket, one of the signalmen of the Pearl who was with him, lowered the Fijian flag. Then bending on its proud successor — the flag of England ascended and waved for the first time over the Isles of Fiji. Who shall describe the three stentorian cheers that thrn burst forth from the assembled multitude P The troops presented arms, the band played the .National Anthem, and the flag was saluted by the booming of twenty-one guns from the Pearl. It was a glorious and soulinspiriting siaht, and one that can never be. forgotten by those who witne*sed \t>. Nat the least curious among9t the varied emotions that presented themselves were those of the noble old Kips; and bis grey-headed chieftains, who stood by to witness their voluntary sacrifice in the interests of their people. They looked on, let us say, n/'t. without a m irked at of deep sadr\e^a, As their own flag descended, several of them muttered audibly 8a ifiat-e'f Sa Matt! or dead ! dead ! A;;d he who could look upon these G.irapie, though high caste chiefs indifferently, a 9 they give up their birthright all that every mor*l being hold* da<ir— rtheir country — must be hard-he.»?-fces indeed, if ho could net feel for the fullest sympathy. But t.h.e was. complete. His JEUceJle,ncy desired three cheers for the. Q-Jee-n^ which having been giyen T be «ftW * "^ nov? agk you, to aive three eh,ewsf°* the Yamvalu. He has qhawn, him.ae.lf ta fee a great Prince in, wha,fc h\s h.a.B. <fo«e, consulting only the in,t6r*s,tai of his people." A hearty response w*a given to this appeal.

This concluded the ceremony, aj&d the Governfr, with the Oommolt^ and suite, proceeded through the U^est towards his boat, the troops presenting arms, and the people cheeri»g heartily as he passed. A few liu-s gered near the spot to witness the embark^ tioa oftha British forces, but- most people

half an-hour the p>acu had resumed its former quietude, overlooked indeed, to keep the p ace, by the stern monitor left floating on the wind, that never permits aa unwilling acquiescence to its mandates.