Some Observations on the Geology of Viti Levu

Abstract

In the course of a voyage across the Pacific in September, 1924, from Vancouver to New Zealand, I broke my journey at Suva for four weeks with the object of seeing something of the geology and scenery of Viti Levu. Half that time, however, was spent in a cruise to the Tonga Islands and Samoa, leaving therefore only a fortnight for Viti Levu, but His Excellency the Acting Governor, the Hon. T. E. Fell, C.M.G., gave me facilities for visiting the mountainous country of the interior which enabled much more of the island to be seen in that short time than would otherwise have been possible. To him and to other officers of the Government who assisted me in my tour I offer my best thanks. Mr. F. R. Charlton, the Acting Crown Surveyor, accompanied me on my coastwise journey and in a traverse across the island from north to south. His knowledge of the country and of the Fijian language and customs was invaluable. Major Caldwell, Mr. Reay, and Mr. Armstrong, the District Commissioners through whose areas we padded, gave us hospitality and every assistance possible, and Mr. Boyd, the Commissioner for Native Affairs, made arrangements with Fijian chiefs, in whose houses we were charmingly and hospitably entertained. When making the tour I had no intention of writing any account of it for publication, but several new facts came to light which it is desirable to place on record.