The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-12-03
EXIT KING CAKABAU.
The Formal Transfer of the Fiji Is
lands 40 the British Crown.

lands 40 the British Crown.
Correspondence of the New York World
LEvUKA. FIJI, October 3.-The project
of annexation, which has been the absorb
ing topic of discussion for many months,
has finally eliminated, and these islands
are nova dependence of the British Crown.
The event is hailed with satisfaction by
the white residents of whatever naionali-
tv. for every interest of this splendid coun-
try, with its unrivalleI climate and prolific
resources, must receive an immediate inn
pulse with the Inauguration Of staple and
effective government. To the present time
the islands have been in wretched condl-
ton for the want of government, and al
though the whites have maintained undis-
puted control, great abuses have existed in
all parts. A great proportion of the ma
tives have been practically held in slavery
through a system of peOnage, fostered by
the assumed government. As an illustra-
ton, the Fijians have been taxed out of all
proportion to their abilities. They are re-
quired to contribute to the support of the
government, and in addition pay liberal
tribute to the active officers of the districts
in which they live. If the native is delin-
quent with the cash, and which in the
greater number of instances he finds it i'm
possible to gather together, he is treated
as a criminal, and forced to labor at four
shillings a month, that he may make good
his dues to the government.
The work of preparing the country for
annexation and converting the king and
his advisers to the scheme has been accom-
plished by the professional residents OF
this metropolis, the merchants and plant
ers taking little part in the scheme. When
all was readiness, Sir Hercules Robinson,
the governor of New South Wales, was
commissioned to represent the crown in
concentrating the plan. His eXcellency
arrived here on board II. B. NJ. S. Pearl on
Wednesday, the 30th of September, and
the session occurred on the same day with
little ceremony. He was attended by
Commodore GoOdenough, g. l.. lnnes,
of New South Wales, and
Mr.. Hutchinson, the British consul.
The governor was greeted on shipboard
by Mayor Cudlip and the counsel of the
city of Levuka, and his majesty King
Cakobau, now shorn of his royal preroga-
tives, waited lamb-like on shore, to offer
himself and his kingdom willing sacri-
flee to the Unsuitable NAV of a British do
minion.
After landing, the governor proceeded
to the government buildings at Navosa,
and was met by King Cakobau, in the au-
dience hall building.
Among those present were the chief
justice, the attorney general, the Hawaiian
consul, the finance minister, Majors
Harding and Thurston, and the native
chiefs Ratu Abel, Ratu Joseph, Ratu
Savanca, Ratu Isekeli, TUT Bau, TUT Lee
vuka, ROko Tui Bau, Bull Yendua, and
Misa Droka.
The secretary read the memorandum Of
II, nd
then i'm English. The king signed the
document and handed it to Sir Hercules
Robinson, who said that he, on the part
of the queen, accepted it in the spirit in
which it was offered, and that the king
had, by this act, performed the part of a
truly great chief, consulting, as he had
doubtless done thereby, the best interests
of the country. He assured the king that
he wished prosperity TO FIJI, and peace
and happiness to her people.
Another long document was read in
Fiiian and English, which contained the
articles of session, engrossed on parch-
ment.
- The king then made his first present to
the queen, five turtles and a new canoe
and it was accepted. The governor and
king then shook hands, and the proceed
ings terminated.
An annexation ball was given on Thurs
day night, which was attended by Sir
Hercules Robinson and suite and King
Cakobau and his retinue. 1t is expected
that a troOp-ship will arrive during the
present month with troop of 400 marines,
to fasten practically the ban of British au-
thority.
Meantime, in the midst of all the re-
ioicing, and quite Indifferent, if not OBJ
livious to its purpOrt, the powerful native
chiefs, Mafu and TUT Cokan, are engaged
in sanguinary strife to settle the sovereign
ty over the best half of Ovalu. The eX-
pected troops will have plenty of work at
the outset in chastising and subiugating
these and other refractory tribes who
know nothing about the cession of their
territory, and have not been consulted in
the matter by the august Cakobau.
The latest announcement is the appoint
ment of Major Thurston as acting gov
ernor of Fiji.
OF the general news of the island there
is but little to write. A malignant form OF
leprosy has been discovered prevailing in
different native tribes, similar to that in the
islands, and immediate measures
for the colonization of the affected are be-
ing urged.
The schooner Daphne, Just arrived at
this port from the New Hebrides, reports
that the American schooner Zephyr, COM
manded by Captain Alfred Clarke, of San
Francisco, was captured by the natives in
Port Resolution, on the 18th of August,
and all on board were murdered and eaten.
The crew of the Daphne attempted the
rescue of the ill-fated men, and after a
sharp skirmish with the cannibals drove
them to the bush and discovered the re-
mains of their hOrrid feast.