ANNEXATION OF ROTUMAH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5743, 14 April 1880, Page 5

ANNEXATION OF ROTUMAH.

The application of the chiefs of the Island of Rotumah, in the South Paoific, to Sir Arthur Gordon to be received into the bosom of the British Empire, has been made the occasion by some of the Opposition organs of a denunciation of all annexation. The Daily News, o! course, oppoaea anything of the kind, and other journals follow suit. The Echo, the most Radical daily in London, says the acquisition of Rotumah m> ans another naval station in the Pacific, another man-of-war to protect British interests, a new point d'appui, and a prospect of future Governors and staffs with salaries, and increased taxation for the people of these isles. The Fiji Argus, of the sth March, speaking of tbis island, says :—"Rotumah, which will probably ere long be ranked amongst the possessions of Great Britain, is a small island about nine miles long by three miles broad. The soil is rioh but stony, and is very much the same both in appearance and quality as the high land in Taviuni. The one thing that milititea againßt the island becoming a desirable residenceis that the supply of water is neither plentiful nor of the pure quality that might be expected. The natives are naturally quiet and inoffensive, and have always been very friendly to whites. There are at present on the island two French missionaries and eight white traders, besides Mr. Gordon, who was despatched some time back by Hia Excellency tbe High Commissioner nt the request of the Rotumah chiefs to advise the people, and act more or less as a Deputy Commissioner. The island appears to be overrun with missionaries, there being no IeBS than thirty-nine resident native teachers belonging to tbe Wesleyan persuasion, in addition to two Roman Catholic priests. As might be expected with this large siaff, the natives are all being well trained and educated. Stone churches, with wooden floors and iron roofs, are taking the plaoe of the old native bure*."