The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1873-02-22
From the Fills.
r dates are to the first week in January

Our dates are to the FIRST week in January
On January 2 the Fiji Islands were visited by =
very severe hurricane, and which lasted for "a
hours. \ number of vessels dragged their anchors
but no serious damage was done either on shore or
amongst the shipping, Is far as we have been able
70 learn.
The planters throughout the group are arousing
themselves to action. and have By overwhelming
majorities At public meetings declared themselves
strongly in favor Of these islands being annexed 10
Great Britain. The FIJI Tunes OF the Th Deem
Der says The movement is spreading IN favor of
annexation, Notwithstanding the assertion OF the
Government that il Is dying out. Since they made
that assertion in their journal, we have received d.
rect information from Savu Sayu OF an almost unan-
imOus petition to Britain for annexation, there be-
ing only one or two disSentents- From Rewa the
outcry l. against the present system of government,
which is characterized rs 'ruiuous, aud the general
feeling Is In favor Of annexation 10 Britain. Nat
eva, that terra incognita iu Fiji, also has its opinion
on this matter. which is for annexation" From the
same journal OF the I4th December we learn that
the planters and other residents OF Ba called on
their member. Mr.. T. de COurcy Ireland TO resign
his seat in Parliament. for the following reasons -
-Self-government. having now been tried for more
than q year in this country, has proved to be such
a signal and complete failure that We have aban-
doned all hope OF any i"mprOvementin the state and
prospects Of the country from that source. II We
look at the condition OF Fiji at the present moment,
under the present system, what do We lind! An
insOlYent Government, carried on in the most reck-
less and expensive manner a deluge OF worthless
Treasury notes and nearly all articles of foreign
production at more than double their former price.
As regards the future prospects of the country, ii is
patent to any man of reflective mind that the pres
ent state Of affairs cannotlong continue. The Gov
eminent will shortly be unable to meet a single
1.-THE OF its engagements, we apprehend, aud, were
that TO happen, nothing would remain for us but
reputation. and, with reputation. adieu to the last
rag of our credit. Although the majority of US have
paid the direct taxes, not to speak of indirect tax
alton. what equivalent have we received from the
Government? None! although the mountaineers
OF this district bear the reputation of being the
most dangerous in Fiji. We have neither a soldier
nor policeman for our protection and. notwith-
standing the repeated promises from Government
OF the complete subsection of the mOuntaineers
long before this. no attempt has been made, or will
be made, We believe. Major Fitzgerald was indeed
sent down here with twenty native soldiers, who,
of course, did nothing, and could not be expected
to do anything for our safety, but only served still
more 10 confirm our belief in the instability and
weakness of the Government. As to the postal ar
fortnightly mails for Ba, Nadi. &c, have been for
months past advertised in the Gazette. but we never
yet have bad the satisfaction Of receiving a single
mail through the care or expense of the Govern
ment. 1t is confidently believed thati if called upon
by II majority of the white inhabitants of the group.
as we'll as by a majority OF native chiefs. Great
Britain would assume the sovereignty of these ISL
ands, and, were she to do SO, no doubt she would
butte at least part of the expenses OF the Govern
ment. Under these circumstances we beg to re-
quest your resignation. as it is our intention to with
draw ourselves from all connection with the So
called Fjian Government, and endeavor, by peti-
ton or otherwise, to place ourselves under British
protection" In rendering his resignation. Mr..
Ireland said "In reply to your requisition
(numerously signed by the planters and residents
OF the prOvince) calling upon me to resign my seat
as your representative in the Parliament of Fiji. l
have much pleasure in acceding to your request,
and. at the same time. beg to say that there is no
statemen contained in 1t that l do not endorse"