1871 Fiji Legislative Assembly elections

House of Delegates

When Cakobau launched his Government in June 1871 he, he called for delegates from all the districts to discuss the constitution and to make any necessary amendments. Elections were held in most areas of European settlement and the House of Delegates was opened by Cakobau on 1 August 1871. It comprised 30 chiefs and the same number of Europeans. The delegates passes amendments to the Constitution Act, which was signed by King Cakobau on 18 August and came into operation on the first day of October. Among the changes to the constitution the delegates, set up a Privy council made up of Governors of Provincial Councils and one high chief from each Province and a Legislative Assembly made up of Europeans. The session of the House of Delegates ended on 23 August 1871.

Legislative Assembly

The Assembly was made up of twenty-eight members from twenty-one districts. The writs for the election was issued in August 1871and elections were held before the start of October. The Assembly began its first session on 3 November 1871, the second session on 24 March 1872 and its final session on 31 May 1873. During the third session, the Appropriation Act was rejected and the King dissolved the House on 11 July. Writs of election were issued for a new election, but as the Government attempted to allow native Fijians to vote, there were protests by the Europeans and the elections were never held. The King (Cakobau) continued to rule with the help of the Privy Council and his Ministers.

Members elected Ba District    DeCourcey Ireland Bua District    Frank Otway, S.A. Quinn Central (Lomaiviti) District    J.T. Sagar Dreketi District    J. Glenny Lau District    W. Hennings, R.S. Swanston,    Rupert  Ryder Kadavu District    T.W. White Levuka District    S.C. Burt, F.W. Hennings, Dr. Ryley Macuata District    J.S. Butters Nadroga District    T. King Nadi District    Otty Cudlip Natewa District    A. Tempest Navua District    C.H. Clarkson Ovalau District    W. Scott Upper Rewa District    H. Eastgate, W. Reece Lower Rewa District    E. Wecker Savusavu District    Capt. A. Barrack Suva District    W.H. Surplice Tailevu District    H. Bentley Tavua & Rakiraki District    G.A. Woods Taveuni District    J. McConnell, J.B. Thurston Yasawas District    J.S. Smith