Jottings During the Cruise of H. M. S. Curac OA Among the South Seaislands in 1865 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1873 edition. Excerpt: ...have no room for development, and the produce is proportionally checked. Land is easily purchased in the group, and labour, up to the present time, has not been found wanting. The general salubrity of the climate is well attested, and a European can work in the open air throughout the year without inconvenience. Life and property are secure; a result due, in a great degree, to the labours and influence of the Missionaries. In the generality of cases where disputes arise between the natives and settlers, the latter will be found to be the aggressors. On the northern shores of the Fiji Islands are extensive tracts free from timber, and admirably adapted for pasture lands. Large tracts have been already purchased for the purpose of sheep farming, and the prospects of success are encouraging. In many cases, however, the sheep, on arriving from Australia, have suffered severely from the effects of the long voyage. When acclimatised they do well. Dr. Brewer, the U.S. consul, after an experience of four years' sheep farming in Fiji, finds no sign of the wool degenerating into hair. The average weight of the fleece is--merino, three pounds; Leicester, four pounds; and it sells on the ground at eightpence per pound unwashed. There are in Fiji about 3,500 sheep and 70 head of horned cattle; the latter succeed remarkably well. The flocks increase rapidly, and good pasture land can be purchased at an average rate of 2 per acre. In addition, the abundant supply of water, and the fertility that everywhere characterises the soil, offer advantages to the settlers in Fiji not always to be found in the Australian colonies.1 1 As this is passing through the press I find in a brief paper published in the November number of Fraser's Magazine for 1871..."