OFFER OF A NEW SOVEREIGNTY TO THE QUEEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 399, 23 July 1859, Page 6

OFFER OF A NEW SOVEREIGNTY TO THE QUEEN.

Tt appears that a new sovereignty is offered to her Britannic Majesty — viz., that of the Feojee (or Fiji) Islands— and by the King, who is uneasy under a fine of £9000, fastened upon him by an American commander. The proffered treaty conveying the sovereignty to the Queen of Great Britain has been brought home by Mr. Pritchard, Her Majesty's Consul in Feejee. To meet the wants of the moment, a little pamphlet— -entitled " What is Fiji?"— -has just been issued. The Feejee Islands are a group numbering 211, of which 80 are inhabited. The largest is about 360 miles in circumference, and the next about 300. They spread over about 40,000 square miles of-the Pacific Ocean, directly on the track between Australia and Panama and British Columbia. Almost every island has an harbour : many of these are capacious enough for a whole navy. Feeiee is 1200 miles from Sydney, and about 1000 from New Zealand. The group is the key and centre of Polynesia. Between it and our colonies is the large French island of New Caledonia, ou the same side the New Hebrides, and on the other side, to its north and east, stretch the Navigators', Friendly, and Society Isles. The area of the two large islands is computed at about equal to that of Belgium, 11,000 square miles ; and of the whole group about equal to that of Holland, above 13,000. The climate is described as not unlike that of Ceylon. Th^e productions are diversified and rich. At least fifty or sixty thousand of the natives have become Christians. The pamphlet remarks :—": — " If we do not take them (the islands) either France or America will. If America do, our route to Panama is then in her hands ; and also that between Australasia and British Columbia. Our Australian coasts and commerce could be harassed by a few ships, which would elude great fleets in the innumerable harbours of Fiji. If France take it, with New Caledonia on the one side, and Tahiti on the other, she will have a line of posts right across our track." Samples of cotton grown in these islands have been transmitted by Lord Malmesbury to the committee of the Manchester Cotton Supply Association, who value them at from 7d. to 12d. per Ib. A numerous deputation waited upon Lord Malmesbury, to urge the acceptance of the new sovereignty by the British Crown.