N.1, P.UNL*,  CR.3**  2 ½ Dollars  1.10.1871
Unsigned as Usual, Partial wmk top edge

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 Brewer & Joske Sugar Mills  Ca. 1870  Suva, Fiji

Dovu, the Fijian name for sugarcane,  was grown throughout the islands by the natives for eating purposes. It had long been thought that sugar could not be granulated in Fiji.  The first experiments to extract the juices was done by Leicester Smith, a sugarcane grower from the West Indies &  J.C.Harrison. Upon Smith's arrival in Fiji in1872 he observed the good quality of the local sugarcane. J.C.Harrison of Nandi claimed to have knowledge of sugar manufacturing and was a natural partner for Smith. Using sugarcane that was being grown in Suva they began their experiments.  Their crude methods included pounding the sugarcane with mallets, twisting the cane by hand then boiling the juices. The mash was then strained through blotting paper to absorb the molasses, resulting in a small quantity of sugar granules. It is not known why the two never initiated sugar production on their own, however these experiments got the attention of other settlers. Within a year two early Suva , Fiji settlers, Wm. H. O'Halloran Brewer & Paul Joske, convinced from the earlier experiments established the first sugar mill in the islands in 1872. With the assistance of Smith & Harrison, they produced small quantities of crystallized sugar which was sold for 5d per pound. They eventually scaled up production shipping ten tons to Australia in April 1874. The soil conditions in Suva proved unsuitable to maintain production and the venture struggled on for a few years closing in 1875. The pair had reputedly invested £30,000 in the venture, an enormous sum at that time. Brewer distraught from the experience committed suicide. Joske started a new unrelated firm. Brewer & Joske's experience dampened others from starting new sugar production for some time. 

The Colonial Sugar Refining Co. Ltd.(CSR)  which was founded in 1855 in Sydney, Australia, with the help of the new government in Fiji,  later setup a large successful sugar mill in Rewa. By 1900 it employed over 7000 men, mostly indentured East Indians. Sugar became Fiji's most important industry and remains a chief export. The indentured Indians were given an option of obtaining permanent residency and a small plot of land in exchange for working without pay for 10 years. Many accepted as very few similar opportunities existed in India at the time. Ethnic East Indians now outnumber native Fijians, a situation which has caused political problems in recent years.

Little is known of the Brewer & Joske notes, although they were apparently the first issues emanating from the current capital of Suva. Fiji Treasury notes, Bolivian Dollars, German Thalers along with many other types of foreign coins and currencies circulated. Hastily scrawled I.O.U's were also issued by merchants and circulated as currency. In an 1872 Brewer & Joske newspaper ad for the sale of general merchandise, payment was accepted in "beach currency  (which may have included their notes),  Gold and Treasury Notes taken at par". At the time many other Fiji merchants were discounting Fiji Treasury notes up to 20% because of the instability of the government. On 23 July 1872 King Ratu Sera Cakobau issued "An Act to Establish and Define Legal Tender of Money in Fiji" which offered to exchange Treasury Notes for gold or silver or 10% Treasury Debentures.

An August 23, 1873 notice published by F.C. Hedemann in Levuka stated "As the GOVERNMENT are not able TO CASH THEIR NOTES  I consider the GOVERNMENT NOTES (the LEGAL TENDER) from and after this date are NOT TAKEN in my Stores  Or ANY OTHER CONSIDERATION". The financial situation in Fiji remained precarious and it was reported that by 1874, Treasury notes were being discounted up to 40%. A subsequent government act (XXII) made any legally issued gold or silver coin of any country legal tender in Fiji.  
 
Brewer & Joske, probably intended to finance their various ventures with these issues, however no evidence exists of any backing or that the notes were officially released. Some probably slipped into general use, along with other contemporary "foreign" currencies accepted in Fiji at the time.  It is more likely that they were used as store chits at the Brewer & Joske Sugar Mills since only one note has surfaced with a questionable signature.

Notes have been found with values of ¼ Dollar, 1 Dollar, 2 ½ Dollars and 1 Pound. Several are pictured by ** Rogers & Cantrell in their 1989 book, Paper Money of Fiji I, published by the International Bank Note Society. Examples shown in the book are from The Fiji National Archives,  the Fiji Museum and private collections. All of the notes I examined at the Fiji museum show severe signs of the tropical climate. I know of only one note with a signature, a 1/4 Dollar, but the signature appears fraudulent. All other notes are found without signatures.  Very few pieces ever come on the market and all are rare with the 1/4 Dollar being very rare. 

N.100

CR.3

* P.UNL

2 ½ Dollars

1.10.1871

192 x 110 mm

Partial Watermark  along top edge

N.105

CR.4

P.UNL

1 Pound 

1.10.1871

195 x 110 mm

Watermark "Hodgkinson & Co."

N.110

CR.1

P.UNL

¼ Dollar

1.1.1873

204 x 110 mm

Watermark?

N.115

CR.2

P.UNL

1 Dollar

1.1.1873

122 x 78 mm

Watermark