NUKULAU Island, a small islet lying in Fiji waters, about 15 kilometres from
the capital Suva is accessible by air and sea.
Its pristine surroundings could easily fool a newcomer into thinking that the
uninhabited isle is virgin land, but actually the picturesque
territory presents one of the twisted ironies of Fiji's history.
Basically, the island was the cause of Fiji being ceded to Great Britain, then
it was a quarantine centre or reception base for the Indian
Indentured labourers, when they first came to Fiji. And now, the old quarantine
is playing host for Her Majesty's Gaol a detainee centre
for coup leader George Speight and his terrorists, who overthrew an Indian-dominated
Government.
By some twist of fate, the quarantine centre is seen to be purging from their
treasonable offences, a kind of purgatory on earth or a detox
centre - this of course is ironical. Historically, the island was occupied by
Fijians in the early days and in 1846, it was sold to an
American by the name of John Brown William for a mere $30. William then built
a two-story wooden house and lived there until 1949.
However, on American Independence Day celebration, his wooden house was destroyed
in a fire, which started after a Canon burst;
those living on the island were also reported to have looted most of his belongings.
So William put the blame of his loss on Cakabau,
who was then solely responsible for Fiji William had claimed $44,000 - this
was known as Cakabau's American debts.
William had used American Navy to pressure Cakabau to pay his debt and this
factor forced Cakabau to cede Fiji to Great Britain in
1874, making Fiji a Colony. Subsequently, it has been reported in history books
that the debt was grossly exaggerated and largely
fabricated.
Then from 1879 to 1916, (the indenture period), Nukulau island was used as
a quarantine station for the migrants. Dr Ken Gillon writes
in his book:
Fiji's Indian migrants - a History to the end of Indenture in 1920, that Indians
were transferred to Nukulau, which served as a reception
centre and quarantine station. The migrants were inspected by Agent-General
of Immigration and medically examined before being sent
to the respective plantations. "Those who were unfit were set aside either
to be returned or they were detained in the depot for further
treatment.
It was subsequent used for other migrants. And in the new millennium, the island
is catering George Speight and his rebel group, who
have acted against the Indians. Some people may see this as an irony....
Fiji's Daily Post
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