Kingdom of Fiji, 1872 Treasury Notes

**Fiji Treasury Notes, 1872-73 Issues**
N.313b, RC.15b, P.12 1 Dollar 11.11.1872 No.734, Sig. C.H.Clarkson *	Back Cancelled stamps
N.313b, RC.15b, P.12 1 Dollar 11.11.1872 No.740, Sig. C.H.Clarkson	Back Squiggly signature cancellation
N.313r, RC.15, P.12 1 Dollar 187x	Remainder Squiggly signature cancellation
N.313r, RC.15, P.12 1 Dollar 187x Remainder, No Signatures	Back
N.314a, RC.16a, P.13 5 Dollars 5.3.1872 No.3660, Sig. J.C.Smith	Back Squiggly signature cancellation
N.314b, RC.16, P.13 5 Dollars 187x No serial, Sig. C.H.Clarkson*	Back Squiggly signature cancellation
N.314r, RC.16, P.13 5 Dollars 187x	Remainder, no signatures Squiggly cancellation
N.315a, RC.17a, P.14 10 Dollars 1.3.1872 No.3138, Sig. J.C.Smith	Signature squiggly cancellation
N.315a, RC.17a, P.14 10 Dollars 3.3.1872 No.3241, Sig. R.C.Smith*	Back Endorsement signature Cancelled stamps and squiggly cancellation
N.315r, RC.17, P.14 10 Dollars 1.7.1872 No. 5291	Remainder, no signatures Squiggly cancellation
N.316a, RC.18a, P.15 25 Dollars 23.3.1872 No.2433, Sig. R.C.Smith*	Back Pen squiggly cancellation
N.316r, RC.18, P.15 25 Dollars 187x	Remainder, pen squiggly cancellation
N.316r, RC.18, P.15r 5 Dollars 187x Remainder	Back Uncancelled
N.317b, RC.19b, P.16 50 Dollars 12.6.1873 No.639, Sig. C.H.Clarkson	Back Cancelled stamps and squiggly cancellation
N.317b, RC.19b, P.16 50 Dollars 11.10.1873 No.705, Sig. C.H.Clarkson*	Back Endorsement signature Cancelled stamps and squiggly cancellation
N.317c, RC.19c, P.16 50 Dollars 12.6.1873 No.426, Sig. G.A.Woods	Back Endorsement signature Cancelled stamps and squiggly cancellation

**BACKGROUNDER**
The above series of Treasury Notes were the second issued by the Cakabau government. During this period there were three main Treasurer signatures which are found today; J.C. Smith, C.H. Clarkson and G.A. Woods. Some other unidentified Treasurer signatures may also exist but it is not known whether they are authentic. Some time in the 1870's a group of these notes were intended to be pulled from circulation for destruction and were given to a Mr. D.J. Chisholm. He was to burn them, however, he kept a few. They were passed down in his family, until they were sold a few years ago. They are identifiable by having the word "Cancelled" stamped on the face. Some other were remainders were cancelled with a "squiggly line" in the signature spot and kept by the printer (Mr.S.T.Leigh) and passed down in his family. Certain notes may appear to be out of numerical sequence with respect to dates. I have read that the treasurer may have carried notes with him during purchasing trips in Levuka and Suva where hr signed and dated the notes "on-the-fly." No official records have been found that indicate the quantities or types of notes that were issued during this turbulent period in Fiji history.

**ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS**
* We gratefully acknowledge Neville Cuthbert who provided images and background information used in this section. We gratefully acknowledge Don Cleveland, IBNS Assistant General Secretary & Assistant Treasurer for Australasia who provided assistance with this section.