British Fiji Islands 1877-1883 (Fiji)

Last modified: 2015-07-28 by ian macdonald
Keywords: fiji | union flag | ensign: blue | disc (white) | coat of arms (mermaid: proper) |
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1:2 image by Martin Grieve and Blas Delgado, 22 November 2002

• Description
• Governor's Flag and Ensign
• Badge

See also:

• British Fiji Islands 1874-1970
• Historical Flags (Fiji)

Description

Badge adopted 1877. Circular badge of foliage and crossed war-clubs with a superimposed shield bearing a mermaid looking at herself in a hand mirror.

In 1882 the Colonial Office wrote to the Admiralty that M. des Volux had complained about the device for the badge of the colony and suggested a simpler one. Apparently it was thought that it had been based on the Public Seal, but was actually the Seal of the Supreme Court of Fiji.

The badge appeared in the 1881 HMSO publication Arms and Badges of the Several Colonies of Great Britain [hms81], and the note about M.des Volux in the Colonial Office Record Book: CO 325/54 in the Public Record Office at Kew.
David Prothero, 22 December 1999 and 23 October 2002

Governor's Flag and Ensign

1:2 image by Martin Grieve, 22 October 2002

Until 1952 the office of Governor of Fiji was combined with that of Western Pacific High Commissioner.
David Prothero, 1 October 1999

The Governor of Fiji (primary appointment) was also the Western Pacific High Commissioner (subsidiary appointment). When in Fiji as Governor he used the Union Jack defaced with Fiji badge. When visiting other islands as WPHC he used the Union Jack defaced WPHC.
David Prothero, 3 February 2006

Badge

image by Martin Grieve, 22 October 2002