Page 47 - Melanesia
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1843 - The siege of Suva, in which 400 self as Tui Viti, and on a Sunday, April 30, was first mooted and Fiji’s first constitution
people were killed, started over a pig. After Cakobau became a christian and the death was drawn up and signed by seven inde-
the initial attack from Rewa and her allies, drum ‘Rogorogo i valu’ was beaten to herald pendent chiefs of Fiji, representing the states
the people of Suva had gone back to Uluvatu his first church service. of Bau, Lakeba, Rewa, Bua, Cakaudrove,
and later presented na i soro. The Rewans Macuata and Naduri, each to form part of
accepted but a small chieftain Kovelevu April 7, 1855 - The Battle of Kaba, as the General Assembly. Cakobau was elected
broke the armistice when he clubbed a Cakobau, aided by King George of Tonga, president for two years in a row, and when
woman, which received a sharp rejoinder swept through the Kaba promontory killing Ma’afu sought the seat in the third year, the
from the husband. 200 defenders and capturing a further 200, Fijian chiefs refused to be governed by a
whom Cakobau, in a religious fervor par- Tongan and withdrew causing the confed-
1844 - First Roman Catholic missionar- doned. Ratu Mara was captured later at Lev- eracy to collapse.
ies arrive in Lakeba. On a June morning uka and taken to Bau where he was hanged.
the Roko Tui Dreketi, Banuve, was invited Before the hanging he was approached by a 1867 - Ma’afu did not mind and went ahead
aboard Cakobau’s canoe, Ra Marama, where village elder to pronounce the birth of a son with his own plans, coming up with the
he was to formally accept Cakobau’s offer whom he named Madrai-wiwi (sour bread) “Confederation of North and East Fiji” (Na
of peace, but no sooner had he stepped on saying his life had turned sour as he was to Tovata ko Natokalau kei Viti), consisting of
board when Cakobau split his head with his die. Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi became the father Lau, Cakaudrove and Bua. Ma’afu managed
battle axe. of Ratu Sir Joseva Lalabalavu Vanaaliali to assume chairmanship later, as Tui Lau.
Sukuna, the father of modern Fiji.
1848 - Ma’afu had arrived and set up gov- 1869 - The Fiji Times began publication at
ernment at Lakeba. He put in place a Parlia- 1860-1870 - Settlers began to arrive in this point in time from an office in Levuka
ment and a system of land tenureship and droves making Levuka their home by choice
lease holdings and taxation, before finally 1864 - Blackbirders arrived in Fiji and with 1870 - The Levuka Charter was ratified by
relocating and moving lock stock and barrel, them brought the first New Hebrides and Seru Cakobau, giving the settlers the author-
to Lomaloma in Vanua Balavu Solomon Island labourers, to assist in the ity to set up and police municipal regula-
cotton plantations. tions. However, the Charter was voided by
1854 - Tanoa dies and Seru Cakobau as- a letter from the Governor of New South
sumed the title of Vunivalu and styles him- 1865 - A confederacy of native kingdoms Wales.
