Page 48 - Melanesia
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1871 - The villagers of Lovoni were auc- Cakobau and Thurston went island hopping Levuka from possible attack and the first
tioned off as slaves by Seru Cakobau. In June to get all the necessary signatures October land sale was conducted in Suva at the Ivi
of that same year Cakobau announced a 10th Fiji was ceded to Great Britain after a Tree.
government complete with Ministers. Ma’afu meeting of the first Great Council of Chiefs,
arrived in Levuka a month later and swore who were there to witness the solemn occa- 1902 - The Trans-Pacific cable linking
allegiance to Cakobau, in turn receiving a sion America with Australia, and New Zealand
salary of 800 pounds p.a. title of Lieutenant reached Fiji.
Governor of Lau and ownership of Moala, 1875 - Measles killed over 40,000 in Fiji,
Matuku and Totoya (yasayasa Moala) reportedly after Ratu Cakobau and his two 1905 - The first motorcar arrived in Fiji and
August 1, 1871 - First sitting of the House of sons returned from Australia, where they was put on public viewing at the park..
Representatives, which was predominantly contracted the disease. Fiji’s first Governor,
a white affair, however they managed to Sir Arthur Gordon arrived from Australia. 1914 - 30 years after the expiry of the inden-
establish a postal service, currency, bank tured labourers agreement (girmit) 16,000
regulations and a land commission. 1876 - Sir Arthur Gordon issues a proclama- acres had been leased to Indians. Lautoka
tion pardoning all hill tribes, bringing to an sugar mill was receiving 50,000 tons of cane
1873 - This year saw Cakobau’s government end all the wars in Viti Levu. and independent farmers had raised 10,000
battle the Kai Colo, following an incident head of cattle.
which saw two European cotton planters 1877 - The Home Office and Queen gives
slaughtered by the Kai Colo. Involved in approval for Fiji’s capital to move from
the fight were the people of Bulu, Nasau, Levuka to Suva.
Nanukunuku, Savanunu, Nasautabu, Cubu,
Magodro, Nubutautau, Qaliyalatina and 1879 - The ship Leonidas arrived in Levuka,
Naloto. Cakobau also dissolved the Assem- and the first group of indentured labourers
bly had arrived from Calcutta. All in all 87 ves-
sels, carrying indentured labourers came to
1874 - On September 28 the Council of Fiji over a five year period.
Chiefs gave Fiji unreservedly to the Queen.
Following this Sir Hercules Robinson, Ratu 1880 - Special constables enrolled to guard
