BSIP, 62 Years Ago

Mrs. Henry Hill, of Tenamba plantation, on Guadalcanal, has a newspaper clipping from a Sydney paper printed in 1900, describing the annexation of some of the Solomon Islands by Great Britain in that year.

HMS “Torch” visited the Group for about three months in 1900, and the Union Jack was hoisted on Ysabel, Gower, Lord Howe, Fauro, the Short lands and Choiseul, all of which (the “Northern Solomons”), had been acquired by Great Britain under the terms of the Samoan agreement.

The clipping says—“A party landed to erect a flagstaff, then a Guard of Honour landed to receive the Commissioner of the Solomons, Mr. Woodford, and the Captain of the ‘Torch’, who followed shortly afterwards.

The natives of the islands assembled round the flagstaff, and Mr. Woodford read a proclamation annexing the islands to the British Crown. A copy of this was handed to the native chief, and the flag was hoisted, the ship simultaneously firing a royal salute of 21 guns.

Then three cheers were given for the Queen”. [What were called the “South Solomon Islands” became a Protectorate in 1893; the Santa Cruz Group, Sikaiana and Rennel were added in 1898-99].