D.—No. J»,

REPORTS ON THE FIJI ISLANDS.

5

No. 2. Eepoet by John B. Thheston, H.M. Consul in Fiji and Tonga, for the Tear 1867. Theee has been a slight decrease in the aggregate tonnage of shipping visiting the Ports of Levuka and Eewa, during the past year. This can be partly accounted for by the withdrawal of one or two ships from the trade, and to their being replaced by vessels of less capacity, but better adapted to insular navigation. The trade of this group is at present carried on by British vessels, sailing from ports in the adjoining colonies. . The following statement shows the number of ships and gross tonnage entered, compared with last year'" 18fi6. 1867. British ships entered ... ... 27 21 Foreign ... ... ••• 3 1 Gross tonnage ... ... ... 4,024 3,797 During the past year three small vessels have been built, measuring respectively 30, 40, 45 tons. The number of small craft, belonging chiefly to British residents, occupied in Island traffic, amount at the present time to 18, measuring in the aggregate about 350 tons. As the cultivation of cotton and other products, now engaging the attention of the settlers, progresses, it will be necessary to build or purchase other small vessels, for the purpose of collecting the various articles from outlying districts, where it would not be safe or expedient for a large ship to proceed. . There is a prospect of an enterprising Sydney firm despatching a ship direct from_ this port to London or Liverpool, during the coming year. Not having a recognized Government at Fiji, there are no port charges, dues, or imposts of any nature. The navigation of the group is open with safety from April until December, during which time the South-east trade winds prevail. From January until April, the winds are variable, frequently blowing with great violence from the north and north-west, attended with heavy rains.

Commerce. The following comparative table will indicate the progress this group has made during the past year : —

I_.. . — — In addition to the above return are cash remittances, the amount of which cannot be estimated. The imports do not exceed, so far as I can ascertain, the estimate formed for the year 1866. However, during the past year, many of the immigrants from the adjoining Colonies are of a class possessing some means, and have imported a considerable amount of trade and barter on their own account. The total value of imports may approximate, — By Traders ... ... ... ... £26,000 By Settlers ... ... ... ... 3.000 £29,000 The satisfactory increase in the value of exports, is owing to the success attending the cultivation of cotton. It will be observed by referring to the foregoing table, that cocoanut oil, formerly the principal export, has in quantity fallen short of what might have been expected. This, however, can be explained. Cotton. The expense in shipping cotton to the Colonies is excessive, and has a depressing effect upon the planter, which can only be removed by direct communication with England. This effected, I venture to predict that Fiji will rapidly rise to a position of commercial importance. At the present time, freight upon cotton to Sydney is from fd. to Id. per lb., which is about the same rate charged for conveying thence to England. The expenses on this article, for ginning, packing, freight, and brokerage, now consigned to England, via Sydney, amount to 4id. per lb. _ _ : • ■ The varieties of cotton cultivated in Fiji are three in number, viz., Kidney, Egyptian, and bea Island : for the two former an average of 9d. and lOd. per lb. has been obtained at this,port; and for the latter, Is. per lb. .. . v To the present time no definite report has been made by the cotton brokers regarding the quality of Fijian cotton. . _, '■ Private advices speak highly of them, and place their value, according to variety, trom Is. dv. to 3s. 6d. per lb. 2

18i 16. 1866. 181 17. Abticle. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Cotton Cocoanut Oil Beche-de-Mer ... Wool ... Tortoise Shell ... Coir ... Pigs, Fruit, &c. ... cwts. tons piculs lbs. lbs. tons 2,400 500 500 10,120 750 50 £ 9,200 11,000 1,200 400 375 1,500 500 5,880 450 300 8,396 2,000 Nil. £ 19,800 9,000 600 320 1,000 7,586 150 880 469 1,700 Nil. £ 34,004 3,260 1,600 134 812 250 150 £24,175 £30,970 £39,960 !