1871 Fijian general election

General elections were held in Fiji in 1871 to elect members of the new Legislative Assembly.

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Background

In June 1871 King Cakobau created a House of Delegates, with elections taking place soon afterwards. The House passed amendments to the constitution, which provided for a Privy Council consisting of a high chief from each province, the governors of provincial councils and members of the cabinet, and an elected Legislative Assembly composed of Europeans. Writs for the elections to the Legislative Assembly were issued on 1 August and the House of Delegates ended its final session on 23 August.[1]

Electoral system

The Legislative Assembly had 28 elected members, elected from 21 constituencies.[1]

Results
Constituency Elected members
Ba DistrictDeCourcey Ireland
Bua DistrictFrank Otway
S.A. Quinn
Central (Lomaiviti) DistrictJohn Temple Sagar
Dreketi DistrictJ. Glenny
Lau DistrictW. Hennings
R.S. Swanston
Rupert Ryder
Kadavu DistrictT.W. White
Levuka DistrictSydney Burt
F.W. Hennings
Dr. Ryley
Lower Rewa DistrictE. Wecker
Macuata DistrictJames Stewart Butters
Nadroga DistrictT. King
Nadi DistrictOtty Cudlip
Natewa DistrictA. Tempest
Navua DistrictC.H. Clarkson
Ovalau DistrictW. Scott
Savusavu DistrictA. Barrack
Suva DistrictW.H. Surplice
Tailevu DistrictH. Bentley
Tavua & Rakiraki DistrictGeorge Austin Woods
Taveuni DistrictJ. McConnell
John Bates Thurston
Upper Rewa DistrictH. Eastgate
W. Reece
Yasawas DistrictJ.S. Smith
Fiji Election Archive

Aftermath

Following the elections, the Assembly was due to meet for the first time on 1 November, but this was postponed until 3 November after strong winds prevented Cakobau from attending.[2] Former mayor of Melbourne James Stewart Butters was elected speaker.[3] Seven of the elected members decided to go into opposition and formed the Constitution Party with Robert Wilson Hamilton as chairman.[2]

Fresh elections were due to be held in 1873 with Fijians allowed to vote. However, following protests by Europeans, the elections were cancelled. The next elections did not take place until 1905.[1]

References
  1. 1871 Legislative Assembly Election Fiji Elections Archive
  2. David Routledge (1965) Pre-cession government in Fiji, p91
  3. Routledge, p73
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