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 116 Collections and/or Records:
Western Pacific High Commission inwards correspondence, MP series, registers and indexes
New Hebrides British Service, Bertram Ballard papers relating to the revision of the British Laws of the New Hebrides.
New Hebrides British Service, British Residency Vila, duplicate despatches and outward letters
Collection contains copies of despatches received by the British Resident Commissioner, New Hebrides, outward letters and prints of correspondence regarding the New Hebrides.
New Hebrides British Service, British Residency Vila, miscellaneous records including papers relating to Jon Frum cult
New Hebrides British Service, British Residency Vila, records
New Hebrides British Service, British Residency Vila, secret and confidential correspondence
I. Lists, indexes, and registers of correspondence. 1943–1954. II. Secret and confidential correspondence files, MP series. 1907–1942 (1926–1941). III. Secret and confidential correspondence files. 1943–1953. (1936–1958). IV. Secret and confidential files, unnumbered. 1938–1964.
New Hebrides British Service Co-operatives office correspondence
I. General correspondence files, subject prefix series. 1964–1975. II. Correspondence files relating to Co-operatives from the Resident Commissioner's general correspondence series. 1953–1961. (1946–1961). III. Correspondence files relating to the Co-operative Movement from the Resident Commissioner's general correspondence series. 1962–1966. (1958–1973). IV. General correspondence files. 1963–1971.
New Hebrides British Service Information Office records
Collection contains general correspondence files, collated press cuttings relating to the New Hebrides, Radio Vila Territory news bulletins, and related materials.
New Hebrides British Service land claim records
New Hebrides British Service, Office of the British District Agent Malekula, Central District 2, records
Includes general correspondence, touring notes and reports, Court records, etc.