ARRIVAL OF SIR JOHN TRUES TON, K.C.M.G.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7976, 16 June 1887, Page 5

ARRIVAL OF SIR JOHN TRUES TON, K.C.M.G.

Among tho passengers by the Union Co.'fl s.s. Arawata, from Fiji yesterday, was Sir J. B. Thurston, K.C.M.G., LieutenantGovernor of Fiji, who is en route for the United States upon diplomatic business.

We learn that the notice of the LieutenantGovernor's departure from Fiji wa3 so short that iittle time was afforded for a formal demonstration, Buch as a number of leading colonists of Fiji desired, but on the other band the hearty and numerously-attended leavetaking accorded Sir John Thurston on board the Arawata by those whom he has served so long and so woll was probably more acceptable to him than could have been any other form of compliment. Accompanied by the Hon. W. McGregor, C.M.G., the Hon. R. Carrington, and Lieutenant C. Mai an, R.N., Sir John left Government House, and on reaching the Queen's Wharf was met by the largest number of leading citizens ever gathered there since the formation of the capital, who followed him on board the Arawata. There were present the wardens of Suva and Lsvuka, the Chairmen of the Chamber of Commerce and the Planters', Association, the President of the Fiji Agricultural Association) of which Sir John is the active patron), His Honor the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, members of tho Legislative Council, several members of the bar, the heads and leading officers of public departments, and a large number of leading residents of Suva, Levuka, and the colony generally. Tho parting scene took place in the cabin of the Arawata. Mr, W. Mune, president of the Agricultural Association, was voted to the chair, and in a brief but effective speech referred to the long and zealous services oE Sir John to the colony, and to the widespread pleasure occasioned by the recent honours conferred upon him by Her Majesty. The toast of "The health, prosperity, and official success of Sir John Thurston" was then drunk with enthusiasm in bumpers of champagne. Sir John responded in appropriate language, and coucfuded by saying that he had probably in the course of twenty years of official life in Fiji "trodden upon the toes" of most of those present, and perhaps trodden heavily, as from time to time every officer in his position must do if he did, or attempted to do, his duty. As the steamer cast off from the wharf, three hearty cheers %vere accorded to the departing Lieutenant-Governor by the assemblage on the wharf. These cordial expressions of good feeling and pleasure manifested at his lately gained dignity, by the colonists of Fiji, cannot but be very gratifying to Sir John. The large party that accompanied him on board comprised those who had been his political foes as wall as his political friends, but political differences did not necessarily prevent the expression of personal regard.

It may not be uninteresting to our readers to give a brief sketch of the official career of Sir John Thurston, a statesman whose name is a household word in the Pacific. lie came into the Pacific as Acting-Consul for Fiji and Tonga in 1567, having been cruising for two years in the Pacific, and examining the various islands. Upon the breaking down of the old Fiji Government of Messrs. Woods and Burt, he was requested by the Fiji planters, the mercantile community, and the European residents generally, to assume the responsibility of advising Thakombau, and of forming a Government. Then upon his reoommendation to King Thakombau and ttie chiefs to cede the islands to the Queen, they appointed him their special adviser and commissioner to confer with Sir Hercules Robinson as to the terms of cession, which eventually took place on the 10th October, 1574. He then assumed thu duties of Acting Colonial Secretary, under the Colonial Government, and in 1576 was appointed Colonial Secretary and AuditorGeneral, holding these offices till 1885 when ho was appointed Lieutenant - Governor, which post he now holds. Sir John has at various times acted as Consul General and High Commissioner for the Western Pacific. He was British Commissioner on the AngloGerman Commission, which sat in London in 18S5, and was appointed Commissioner in 1886 upon the Tripartite Commission, which will shortly hold its sittings in Washingtou, U.S., and in which England, Germany, and America will be represented. The object of the Commission is to inquiro into the affairs of Samoa.

Last evening a representative of this journal interviewed Sir John Thurston at the Star Hotel, where he is at present putting up. Sir John received him courteously, and entered freely into conversation on South Sua Islands affairs, affording every information in his power, REFERRING TO SAMOAN AFFAIRS, Sir John said that he was proceeding to Washington in obedience to instructions from the Foreign Office, to atteud the Tripartite Conference already referred to. ■ JH is instructions would await him there, but the scope of the commission was the general discussion of the affairs of each nation in the South Pacific. He w;*b in hopes of making some arrangement which would prevent the recurrence of the disputes and disturbances at Samoa, which have threatened international complications. What these are may bo gathered from the fact that Sir John Thurston has ascertained that alleged land olaims of English, American, and German residents in Samoa, or of foreign syndicates, as represented by deeds, exceed the whole area of the islands by 25,000 acres, leaving not an inch of land for the unfortunate bemoans. Thore is not at present a Land Court in existence, and the titles to land cannot be determined, where foreign subjects are concerned. Such is the present; state of affairs, and the result is a feeling of great uncertainty. THE TONGAN TROUBLES. With regard to the late embroglio in Tonga, Sir John expressed himself very clearly and forcibly. He cordially concurred with the action taken by Sir Charles Mitchell, the High Commissioner, who conducted the recent inquiry. Sir John is of opinion that there were faults on both sideß, and that while several of the charges brought by the Rev. Shirley Baker against his opponents were not sustained by evidence, still the conduct of the Rev. Mr. Moulton was far from being discreet. Whatever were the faults of Mr. Biker's administration, he bad done much for Tonga and Tongans. At the same time, speaking from a personal acquaintance with Mr. Moulton, nothing would induce him to believe that that gentleman had anything to do, directly or indirectly, with the outrage attempted upon Mr. Baker. Sir John referred to misstatements published concerning the Tongan troubles. Mr. Hanslip's case was scarcely fairly put. So far from being acquitted handsomely, the High Commissioner administered a scathing rebuke to him for his conduct in relation to the Baker outrage, while the narrative of Von Hagen, as to the circumstances surrounding the executions, was found, on investigation, to be unreliable. With reference to the future of Tonga, Sir John said he saw no prospect of peace while Mr. Moulton remained, such was the embittered feeling between the two sections into which the Tongan people are now divided, and headed respectively by Mr. Baker and Mr. Moulton. He thought Mr. Moulton should make the sacrifice by resigning, for the sake of his ohurch and of the natives. There was no prospect of a reconciliation or of the King's party arranging matters with the New South Wales or Queensland Wesleyan Conferences. He had no doubt that if suitable steps were taken by the Victorian or New Zealand Wesleyan Conferences, that the Tongans as a people might be brought back into connection with the Wesleyan Methodist Church, with which, notwithstanding all that had occurred, they had strong sympathy.

FJJIAN MATTERS.

Referring to the lato petition from Fiji in regard to annexation to New Zealand, Sir John said it in no respect represented public feeling. At the same time tha Fijian colonists were desirous of increasing their trade and cementing a friendship with New Zealand. He expressed regret to our representative at the intention of the New Zealand Government to impose a duty on Fiji fruit, as Fiji did not act in that way with regard to importations of New Zealand dairy produce, etc. The trade with New Zealand during the past year showed an increase—a slight increase perhaps—and it was not wise in these times of depression, by the plaoing of such an impost, to stifle a growing industry. In regard to commercial affairs, Sir John said in the Ba district the Sugar estates (in which some of our Auckland capitalists are interested) are looking well, the crop is healthy, and the outturn likely to be good. In the Kewa district there are similarly favourable reports, The tea industry is also thriving,

but coffee iB not muoh as yet. Still a number of industries are being naturalised, which will be of benefit to Fiji. One of the objects of his present mission to America was to promote British interests and British commerce in the Pacific. It was not a matter of importance whether that extension of commerce arose through Fiji, New Zealand, or the Australian colonies, so long as "it was kept in the family." He looked at the question entirely from an Imperial point of view. Sir John takes an active interest in all commercial matters, and it would be well if those interested would take steps to let him see oar dock, leading industries, and public institutions during his stay. The Chamber of Commerce might also take an opportunity of eliciting his views on Island trade and other cognate questions. Sir John assured our representative he would be happy to mee the Chamber to discuss such questions, or to furnish any information in his power, whioh would increase commerce between Fiji and this colony. TELEGRAPHIC ECCENTRICITIES. Sir John complains sadly of the vagaries of the New Zealand Telegraph Department. He states that a cablegram to "Tho Officer Administering the Government, Fiji," was kept lying in Auckland for over a month, instead of being forwarded. It appears that an impression prevailed here that H.M.S. Diamond would call at this port with Sir Charles Mitchell on board, and .that in consequence the cablegram was detained. No matter where the Governor may be, " the officer administering the Government" Is always on the spot, and the outcome of the neglect to forward the cablegram to Its destination is that Sir John Thurston will arrive at Washington a month behind the time fixed for an important diplomatic Conference. On the other hand a cablegram which he sent from Fiji to New Zealand for transmission to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs never reached its destination, though he holds a voucher for the telegraphic charges. Uis communication with the head ot the New Zealand Telegraph Department on the matter never even elicited a reply, and he contemplates 'in future getting cablegrams dispatched or received via Sydney unless remedial steps are taken. THE JUBILEE BANQUET. When His Worship the Mayor noticed yesterday that Sir John Thurston was in town he forwarded to him a ticket for the banquet to be given on Tuesday next. As Sir John intends to leave for Europe by the mail steamer on Monday, he will not be able to attend.