THE FIJIS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2497, 4 January 1869, Page 3

THE FIJIS.

The following letter, signed Alex. Hume,” and dated Dunedin, Dec. 28, appears in the Otago Daily Times of Dec. 30

Having just returned from the Fiji Islands, where I have been residing for the last twelve months, and finding so many inquiries from parties who contemplated visiting those islands, I am induced topublish, through the columns of your journal, a few lines respecting the prospects held out to those who go there with the intention of settling. I must first most fully endorse the facts stated in a letter from Levuka, appearing in your issue of the 26th inst, which gives some useful information in a condensed form.

I was sorry to see so many had sailed for Fiji in the Lovet Peacock; some of whom, from my own experience and that of others, will be glad to return to Otago. It is an old saying, “ that distance lends enchantment to the view.” Truly it is so with respect to the Fiji Islands. They certainly captivate new arrivals at first; so much so that nearly all the Benedicts write off post-haste, per first opportunity, for their wives and families. However, after a few months (and in some instances weeks), the bright picture fades away, and life, with all its stern realities, troubles, and inconveniencies, soon robs those who aro not provided with a well-filled purse and a strong constitution, of any very pleasant ideas of the place.

The white population is estimated at from eight to nine hundred, who are scattered about the various islands of the group, employed in either planting cotton or trading. This cannot be taken as a settled one; there being numbers continually going and returning. The climate is exceedingly enervating, particularly during January, February, and March—the monsoon or hurricane months. There being no winter, the monotony of a continual summer causes one to wish himself back again in a more cold and bracing atmosphere; though at times, on the sea coast, refreshing breezes set in and partially assist in driving the swarms of hungry mosquitoes and flies back into the bush, or rather jungle, smoke and mosquito nets having to be called into requisition for protection from the little torments hardened to the sea air, which prefer paying their undivided and assiduous attention to new, arrivals. These, with the exception of a small species of ant, are the only troublesome insects I have met with.

Business is overdone, particularly trading with the natives; and those now going down should be prepared with enough capital for purchasing laud and growing cotton, which is the staple crop of the islands, and estimated to produce from £lO to £l5 per acre. Other crops, such as Indian corn, sweet potatoes, yams, &c., can be grown, but do not pay, except as food for the men on the plantation; and even these can be purchased from tho natives, in places, cheaper than growing them. The supply of native fruits is limited. The bananas, or plantains, of which there are a numerous variety; these, with cocoa nuts (which only produce nuts near the sea coast), bread fruit, yams, taro, and other wild fruits and roots, form the principal food of the natives, with fish, and occasionally a porker or a few fowls. There are no wild animals and few birds to bo had; at times, fish are plentiful. Labour costs from £3 IQs to £■! per head for three years, at the expiration of which period they are presumed to bo returned back to the islands they came from, with wages in trade to the extent of two pounds sterling per annum. This involves two contingencies—viz., the planter’s knowledge of the islands his men came from, and how the plantation pays. Fijian labour can be bought for 80s per head for one year’s service, and trade to the value of £2. These last cannot bo depended upon, as they sometimes run away; coolies would be fine men for the plantations. The whites have no form of government; tho natives are all under various chiefs, and kept in full subjection. They bear some affinity in language and customs to tho Maoris of New Zealand. Polygamy is about the only uncivilized vice the missionaries have not entirely succeeded in eradicating, though it is quickly going out of fashion. They live in pretty good houses: have line canoes; and are a quiet, lazy, happy lot of people; fond of smoking, feasting, and children. The Islands are small, with the exception of two, well-watered, and contain only about one-third part fit for cultivating in tho various small hills and valleys, the rest of the country being all rocks and mountains. There

is plenty of good land to be had, which should be selected on the windward side of the Islands. I know not where the natives can go to when it all gets into the hands of whites, should the purchasers send them off the land. This question may yet bring about a war between the two races, or lead to very serious consequences. Most people enjoy good health, when fully provided with proper food; it is living on native food which brings so much sickness on new arrivals when going about selecting land. The planters are, as a rule, very hospitable, hut they mostly fall into the use of native food, and get used for it. Few of our garden vegetables grow to perfection. The scenery is fine in places, climate good at times, land rich when cultivated, vegetation quick, no duties or taxation. Yet in spite of all these great advantages the Fiji Islands do not offer sufficient inducement to counterbalance the various drawbacks attending cotton growing, and as neither sugar nor coffee will pay to produce without far greater capital and labour, I am inclined to think this late exodus to those islands will soon end by the return of a number of those who like myself had neither capital enough nor a strong constitution. Some who went down lately have returned, and I know of others on their way back. Trusting this may be the means of preventing anyone from rushing down without correct information and due consideration.