D.—No. 22.

REPORTS ON THE FIJI ISLANDS.

7

The demand for Sea Island cotton is limited ; but the diminished production of this varietyin America, owing to the disorganization of labour, will probably afford the Fijian planter an opportunity of selling all he can produce at a remunerative figure for some time to come. The Kidney and Egyptian cotton is of much larger growth, requiring to be planted 12 feet by 12 feet. It is sown in the same months as the Sea Island. The picking season is in July. A second and lighter crop can be gathered in December. The average yield of this cotton is 1,200 lbs. per acre, yielding about 350 lbs. of clean fibre, the value of which, in Fiji, is about £15 sterling. All varieties of cotton in Fiji are perennial. The number of bales leaving Fiji during the present season will be 2,500, of which 90 will be Sea Island ; thus the remainder, say 2,400, will consist of the less valuable varieties, Egyptian, &c, &c. A bale of cotton weighs 350 lbs., which stated as above is the produce of an acre. I estimate the land at present in cultivation by Europeans as follows : — Acres in cotton—Number of bales of 350 lbs. ... ... ... 2,400 Acres in cotton, coffee, corn, beans, yams, and vegetables generally, one-third ... _ ... ... ... ... 800 Acres cleared and in course of cultivation ... ... ... 1,500 Total in cultivation ... ... ... ... 4,700 Estimated area of land held by Europeans ... ... ... 160,000 Uncultivated ... ... ... ... 155,300 The cultivation is carried on by labourers obtained from the neighbouring Islands. The implements used are large knives and hoes. Like all Polynesian races, these people prefer sitting to Btanding whilst at any occupation, therefore they cannot be induced to work with hoes or spades, unless they be perfect "toys. Nevertheless a fair amount of work is done, provided they are judiciously managed, well fed and cared for. The expense in cultivating land in Fiji, is the same as stated in the report of 1866. Three years back there were only two cotton gins, and windmill in all Fiji; at the present date there are about thirty gins, and five steam engines. For short-stapled cottons the saw-gins are preferred, and for the longer, " knife-gins." In the import of agricultural implements there is also an increase, several ploughs, harrows, and cultivators being now in use ; for the working of which and for breeding purposes, seven horses and thirty-five head of cattle have been imported within the last few months.

Population. The white population is steadily increasing. The following statement shows the number of residents subject to civilized authority : —

The Native population of Fiji may be roughly estimated at 100,000; they are, however, rapidly decreasing. I have received the following authentic information of the births and deaths at three towns during the past year. The first town is situated upon the Island of Ovalau, which contains the principal port of the group, and is the residence of the greater portion of the white people. The second is at Sosi, a division of Bau, at which place only a mission family resides permanently, but Europeans call there daily. The third is Ba, upon the north-west coast of Viti Levu, where no Europeans reside and visitors are rare: —

A very few years ago the Island of Ovalau could send out 3,000 fighting men, now it could only muster 500 by including the lads and old men. This is not a solitary example, the ruined and deserted villages throughout the country bear testimony to the disappearance of the race. John B. Thukston, Port Levuka, Fiji, H.M. Ag. Consul in Fiji and Tonga. December 31st, 1867.

British. British Half-castes. Total British. American. American Half-castes. Total American. Various Nationalities. Men ... Women Children 252 45 114 85 63 90 337 108 204 31 1 6 23 21 57 54 22 63 40 ] 2 Total 411 238 649 38 43 101 139

Town. Died. Born. Of which Died. Tai... Sosi Ba ... 41 27 60 7 7 Nil. 7 4 Nil.