FIJI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1772, 27 September 1862, Page 5

FIJI.

By the John Wesley, we ( Sydney Herald) have advices to the 30th July, from Fiji. The Consulate has been burnt down, ft appears that the conflagration broke

out the night after the arrival of the Mechanic. A Court of enquiry was held for the purpose of investigating into the origin of the fire, [ts sittings extended over six days, but it failed to clear up the mystery in which the whole matter is involved. The Tongese Islandei'3 are expected to attack tho Fijian groups, now that they findtheEnglish Government has declined

to accept the proteetoiate. They claim some £2000 for aid supplied by King Georgo to the Fijians, in subjugating hostile tribes some time ago.

Amongst the passengers by the John Wesley is a gentleman named M'Clintock who went down to the islands about a year since, to form a cotton plantation, He was, however, obliged to abandon the scheme, from the impossibility of obtaining the necassary amount of labour to work the undertaking.

The Wesley has brought up about 4000 1 Is. weight of cotton, grown on this group of islands.

On the ! 1 of July, the following proclamation was read on board H. M. S, Miranda, at Ovalau, to the Vunivalu of Bau, and other chiefs : —

" Message from his Excellency the Right Honorable Sir John Young, Baronet, Knight Commauder of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Captain-General and Governor-iu-Chief of the Colony of New South Wales, and Vice-Admiral of- the same.

" The Governor of New South Wales sends toTui Viti and the assembled chiefs of the Fiji Islands, greeting ; and the expression of his good wishes.

" He has been instructed by his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, her Britannic Majesty's principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, to inform the assembled chiefs, that her Majesty's Ministers have done him the honor to select him as the medium of communication on this interesting occasion. He has it in command to state, that the offer to cede to her Majesty Queen Victoria, the sovereignty of the Fijian territories, on certain con ditions, was duly submitted to her Majesty, who was graciously pleased to receive the same and remit it to her Ministers for their consideration and advice.

" Her Majesty's Ministers made it the subject of early and anxious deliberation. An inquiry was instituted, entrusted to, and conducted diligently and minutely on the spot by, Colonel Smythe, au officer of the Royal Artillery, of high rank and acknowledged ability.

" On the receipt of Colonel Smythe's report, and on a careful review of all the circumstances, it appeared to Her Majesty's Ministers very uncertain whether the welfare of the Fijians would not be bettei consulted by the causes and agencies already in operation, than by a direGt and authorative British interference.

" The Governor of New South Wales is therefore instructed to announce to the assembled Chiefs, that Her Majesty's Ministeis regret they cannot advise Her Majesty to add the Fiji Islands to her dominions.

"The offer of the Fijian Chiefs to unite their fortunes with those of England, and submit themselves to British rule, evinces a degree of confidence in the British character, and admiration for the British Government, which are highly gratifying-

Such a tiibute could not fail to find a •response in the heart and feeliug of every one who wishes well to his fellow men, and sympathises with those who like the inhabitants of Fiji have set themselves in a good way, and are studying earnestly to attain a higher and purer standard of life and institutions.

" This lofty tribute is more peculiarly touching to the Government and people to whom it has been directly and immediately addressed.

"While therefore their offer to become the subjects of the British Crown is respectfully, and on a grave consideration of public policy, declined, the Chiefs and people ofthe Fiji Islands may rest assured that their longings after peace and good order are viewed in England with the liveliest sympathy, and that the prayers of thousands invoke the blessing of Provideuce on their moral and intellectual advancement.''