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Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 20, 26 November 1874, Page 5

Latest about Fiji.

(From the * Fiji Times' Oct. 2.)

Wednesday, Sept. 30, 1874, shoulj. be a memorable day in the annals §f Fiji, for thereon the formal cession of the group was made to and accepted by Great Britain. The proceedings toot place at the Government Buildings, Nasbva, and were altogether void of ceremony. Shortly after 10 o'clook his Excellency the Governor of New South Wales, attended by Commodore Goodenough, the Hon. G. Innes, At-torney-General of New South Wales f the Hon. Mr Hutchinson, the British Consul; and the Private Secretary, entered the audience-hall, where he was received by the King. There were present his Honor the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, Hawaiian Consul, the Chief Secretary, the Minister for Finance, the Private Secretary, Majors Harding and Thurston, and the following Chiefs :— Ratu Abel, Eatu Joseph, Ratu Savanson, Tui Bau, Biily Yendua, Ratu Isikeli, Roko Tui Bua, Tui Levuka, and Miss Droke.

His Excellency asked if Ratu Abel and Ratu Timothy would accompany him in the Pearl, on his visit to the windward chief; when Ratu Abel declined) but said that Timothy and Savanaca would go with the Governor.

Mr Wilkinson then read the memorandum of concession in the Fijian language, and subsequently in English, after which the King signed the document, and handed it to his Excellency, who said that he, on the part of the Queen, accepted it in the spirit in which it was offered, and that the King had by this act performed the part of a truly great chief, consulting*: as, as he hacl doubtless done thereby,- the best interests of the conntry. His Excellency further said that he begged to assure the King that, from his heart he wished prosperity to Fiji, and peace and happiness to her people. Another lengthy document was then read in Fijian by Mr Wilkinson, and the Attorney-General of. New South South Wales presented the English translation, which contained the articles of cession engrossed on parchment ; this was signed by the King — as Cakobau, Tui Viti, and Vuni Valu — sealed with his seal, and delivered by him as his willing act and deed, and subsequently, and with the same formalities, by Ratu Abel, Tui Bua, Ratu Savanaca, and Ratu Isikeli.

His Excellency then said that he would not sign it until after his return from Windward, when the documents should be executed in duplicate, and copies exchanged ; and until that time he requested the King to have the government carried on as 'heretofore. The King then begged his Excellency to receive, as his first present to the Queen, five turtles and a new canoe, and, upon the gift having been accepted, directed that it _ should be sent on board the Pearl.

At about 1 o'clock the Pearl, having on board- his Excellency and suite, who were accompanied by r Mr L'ayard, British Qonsul, steamed out of harbor, j and was followed an ' about 5 by the Dido, with the. King and his attendants, the Fijian Bbyal Standard being hoisted at the main. The party- may be • expected to return on or about Tuesday next, .when the cqmpiletion of the formal details will be effected.- i > y An annexation ball is shortly^ l to,fbe>

given in celebration of the glori6us>!:fl event, and in honor of his Excellency 1 Sir Hercules Robinson and suite, Com- *| modore Goodenough, and H.B:MI Con-^ % aulj to which we understand King jc|| Cakobau will be invited. ; MA AFO SIGNS MOB DEED. .. \j% (From the special correspondent -of the "■-'s. 'Times/ " -. - '", "H At Loraa Lotria to-day, Maafu (Tui H Lav) and Tui Cakau (Chief of Cakau- '..-If drove) came on board and signed . the > .S deed of cession, so that the annexion fl of the Fiji Islands to Great Britam. is „.;?$ now/une chose finie, the signatures of J>:^ the remaining chiefs being certain to ,";'{ iff be obtained \y. *y^||