Extracts from The Fiji Times – January to June 1915

January 19, 1915

A matter of the very highest import of the Colony was discussed this morning at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, specially called for the purpose. This was the shortage of coolie labour, which has been for some time past a subject of grave concern to plantation owners. The primary cause of the interruption in the supply has been the discontinuation of the transport service, owing to the danger caused by the presence of the enemy’s ships in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

January 21, 1915

What is by the most daring attempt yet made by Germany to carry out her threatened invasion of England was made on Tuesday night, according to cable messages received this morning. Previously the enemy’s activities have simply resulted in submarines or airships being seen in dangerous proximity to the coast, or as in the case of the bombardment of Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby, of cruisers approaching warily undercover of fog, and shelling towns from a safe distance, and slipping off again before chase could be given.

February 16, 1915

The death is reported today by our Levuka correspondent of an old pioneer resident, Mr H.B. Smith, after a long and lingering illness. The late Mr Smith was born in England in 1843, and after residing in New Zealand for a time he came to Fiji in 1867, and at once settled in Vanua Levu and he subsequently acquired large coconut estates in that island. On account of ill health, Mr Smith resided in Levuka. He leaves behind a large family of grown up children to mourn their loss. He was 72 years of age. Death took place at half past nine o’clock this morning.

February 18, 1916

The construction of the new building for the Garrick Estate, fronting on Thompson and Pier streets and Renwick Rd, is now getting well under way. The building has been planned on the most up-to-date lines and is to consist entirely of reinforced concrete. This is a material which is thoroughly suitable for a climate in which hurricanes are also a constant menace to flimsy architecture and in which wood quickly decays.

February 23, 1915

Sydney Bulletin has the following tribute to the memory of the late Ratu Kadavu Levu : Ratu Kadavulevu, says the Bulletin, was an overlord and a coloured individual of great parts. His grandfather Ratu Epenisa Seru Cakobau, began British history in Fiji. Cakobau, who amongst other attractions was a cannibal, ceded the Fijian Archipelago to Britain in 1875 and did well for his countrymen thereby. He gave up cannibalism after a while for cricket. Our very own Wellington was chiefly responsible, which shows what a power for a good even an A.D.C, can be on occasion. Ratu Kadavu, just departed, loved cricket too. Cheap jesters used to say he was ratty about it. He owned amongst other things, a temple, placed magnificently on the heights. In it he had enshrined portraits of all the most illustrious crickters, together with sacred objects like bats, bails, and balls used at historical matches. He was King of Bau – a small island lying alongside the mainland of Fiji. The people of Bau are great sailors. They liken their island to Britain, and their canoes and tremendous exploits to the ships and doings of the British Navy. Ratu Kadavu was educated at Singleton, New South Wales, but he retained his native way of living. Always he was King, and the lesser chiefs squatted in his presence. Ratu Lala, his next chief in ascendancy, is keenly European. He is the only Fijian potente who wears European clothes. Ratu Lala has yachts, and carriages and horses, and servants, all run in the smartest European style. Ratu Kadavu had arranged to marry Ratu Lala’s daughter but the girl ran away from school, in Maoriland, and married a white carpenter. Her dreadful crime helped to break up the health of Ratu Kadavu, who felt the position keenly. The absconder was practically the only girl he could marry and retain his dignity. It is a horrible thing for the descendant of a thousand cannibals to be cut out by a carpenter. The inexplicable thing to Ratu was the fact that the interloping operative was one the poorest cricketers in the South Island – barely up to fifth rate form.

March 9, 1915

Looking back over our files, we note that the August 12, 1913, marks the date of a report and estimate of the cost of lighting Suva with electricity, prepared by the Town Council’s office. €10,537 is the stipulated cost of the works.

April 1, 1915

We recently had an interesting chat with a

gentleman who had spent some years in the Far East. One idea suggested by him was the introduction by the rickshaw. He painted a glowing picture of a line of rickshaws outside all the business offices, each firm contracting with a certain number of these men to be at the disposal of their staff.

April 29, 1915

Today is the anniversary of the mutiny of the Bounty in 1789. The Bounty was an English vessel sent out in 1787 to Tahiti to collect plants of the breadfruit tree, for the West Indian colonies. On the return voyage the crew mutinied under the harsh treatment of the captain, William Bligh, and turned him and a few who remained loyal to him adrift. The castaways finally reached land in safety. In 1808 Bligh was appointed Governor of New South Wales, but proved so tyrannical that he was soon dismissed. The incident is a memorable one in the history of the Pacific.

May 6, 1915

A case in which Apolosi Nawai was named as one of the defendants came up for hearing at the Naduruloulou Police Court on Tuesday morning, before Mr C.E. Pennefather. Seni charged Apolosi and Tui Vuna with obtaining money to wit two guineas, under false pretenses from him at Draubuta.

June 3, 1915

Today, being the birthday of His Majesty King George V, was observed as a holiday in Suva, and flags were flown on the various buildings, and by the shipping in port. In accordance with his majesty’s wish, however, no celebrations of any kind were held and the usual birthday ball at Government House is not being held this year on account of the war.

NEXT WEEK: July—Dec 1915