Central Archives of Fiji and the Western Pacific High Commission
Biography
The Central Archives of Fiji and the Western Pacific were created in 1952 when the roles of Governor of Fiji and Western Pacific High Commissioner (WPHC) were separated and the office of the WPHC relocated to Honiara, Solomon Islands. As part of this restructure the pre 1920 records of the WPHC were transferred to the Central Archives rather than being moved to Honiara. Over time surviving non-current records from the New Hebrides British Service (NHBS), the British Solomon Islands Protectorate (BSIP), the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony (GEIC), the British Agent and Consul to Tonga (BCT) and Pitcairn (PIT) were also transferred to the Central Archives.
In addition to housing, preserving and listing the records the Central Archives offered a reference service to the colonial administration and Pacific scholars.
When Fiji became independent in 1970 records relating to Fiji were transferred to the new Fiji National Archives, and the remaining collections renamed the Western Pacific Archives (WPA). With the disestablishment of the WPHC in 1978 the WPA also closed.
Found in 23 Collections and/or Records:
British Agent and Consul, Tonga, general correspondence and miscellaneous records
Collection includes files of general correspondence and records including, deeds, registers, court case files and probates. Work on fully listing this collection is yet to be completed for details of record sets 1-42 please see BCT 1 finding aid. For details of set 43: miscellaneous papers please use the detailed listing here.
British Agent and Consul, Tonga, general correspondence, MP series
Collection contains general correspondence files and a small number of unnumbered files.
British Agent and Consul, Tonga, general correspondence subject prefix series and telegrams
I. General correspondence files, subject prefix series. 1954-1970 (1949-1970). II. Indexes and registers of correspondence. III. Inwards and outwards telegrams. 1960-1965. These records form part of the Western Pacific Archives (MSS & Archives 2003/1).
British Agent and Consul, Tonga, records
Collection contains records created and maintained by the British Consulate in Nukuʻalofa, Tonga, including completed passport applications and certificates of identity, Special and Advance Warrants, papers relating to estates administered by HBM Consul in Tonga Miscellaneous, drawings and plans and other miscellaneous records.
British Agent and Consul, Tonga, secret and confidential correspondence files, subject prefix series
These records form part of the Western Pacific Archives (MSS & Archives 2003/1).
British Agent and Consul, Tonga, secret and confidential files, alphabetical prefix series
These records form part of the Western Pacific Archives (MSS & Archives 2003/1).
British Agent and Consul, Tonga, secret and confidential files, MP series
I. Secret and confidential correspondence files, year/number series. 1922-1954 (1922-1956). II. Unnumbered secret and confidential correspondence files. 1904- 1940. These records form part of the Western Pacific Archives (MSS & Archives 2003/1).
High Commissioner and Consul General for the Western Pacific papers relating to Tongan Affairs
Collection contains the HBM High Commissioner and Consul-General for the Western Pacific's copies of deeds, despatches, correspondence and other papers relating to Tongan affairs.
High Commissioner's Court for the Western Pacific, New Hebrides, records
Collection includes court minute and evidence, handwritten notes and files relating to court cases, indexes and registers, copies of court orders rules and regulations, cash books and other papers.