HOISTING THE FLAG.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 150, 26 November 1874, Page 3

HOISTING THE FLAG.

We take the following from a description of the ceremonies at the cession of Fiji, which appears in the Fiji Argus: — “ And now the crowning ceremony —the hoisting of the British flag—was to take place. The signing being over, his Excellency and suit, &c, proceeded to the verandah of the building, and took up a front position in view of the assembled multitude; King Cakobau standing on the Governor’s left hand, and Commodore Goodenougli on his right. His Excellency then, in a clear and most distinct voice, said ;—‘The legal forms for the transfer of the Government of this country to the Queen have just been completed, and will be made public through the medium of the Gazette in the course of a few hours. It now. therefore, only remains for me to declare Fiji to be from this time forth a possession and a dependency of the British Crown. (Loud cheers.) I fervently trust that this important step will tend to develop the great natural capabilities of these beautiful islands, and at the same time conduce largely to the contentment and happiness of all classes of the population. (Applause.) I hope, too. that past differences and disagreements will henceforth be forgotten, and that all local animosities will this day be buried at the foot of the staff on which we are now about to hoist the British flag.’ (Loud cheers.) “Lieutenant Elwyn, of H.M.S. Pearl, was in attendance to perform the ceremony of hoisting the British standard, and at a signal from the Governor a stalwart blue-jacket, one of the signalmen of the Pearl, who was with him, lowered the Fijian flag. Then bending on its proud successor—the flag of England ascended and waved for the first time over the isles of Fiji. Who shall describe the three stentorian cheers that then burst forth from the assembled multitude. The troops presented arras ; the band played the national anthem of England ; and the flag was saluted by the booming of twentyone guns from the Pearl. It was a glorious sight, and one that can never be forgotten by those who witnessed it. Not the least curious amongst the varied emotions that presented themselves were those of the noble old King and his greyheaded chieftains, who stood by to witness their voluntary sacrifice in the interests of their people. They looked on, let us say, not without a marked air of deep sadness. As their own flag descended, several of them muttered audibly —Sa Mate! Sa Mate! or dead! dead! And he who could look upon these simple, though high caste chiefs indifferently, as they gave up their birthright and all that every moral being holds dear—their country must be hard-hearted indeed, if he could not feel for them the fullest sympathy. But the ceremony was complete. His Excellency desired three cheers for the Queen, which having been given, he said —‘I now ask you to give three cheers for the Vunivalu. He has shown himself to be a great Prince in what he has done, consulting only the interests of his people.’ A hearty response was given to this appeal.

“This concluded the ceremony, and the Governor, with the Commodore and suite, proceeded through the lines towards his boat, the troops presenting arms, and the people cheering heartily as he passed. A few lingered near the spot to witness the embarkation of the British forces, but 'most people immediately hurried back to Lcvuka, and in half an hour the place had resumed its former quietude, overlooked indeed, to keep the peace, by the stern monitor left floating on the wind, that never permits an unwilling acquiescence to its mandates. ”