Colonial Office: Western Pacific Original Correspondence

This series contains files of the Western Pacific High Commissioner, whose jurisdiction extended over the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, the New Hebrides, the British Solomon Islands, Tonga and all other islands in the Western Pacific not administered by other powers.

Bound volumes arranged chronologically within the following subject headings: Despatches (letters of the governors), Offices (letters of government departments and other organisations) and Individuals (arranged alphabetically). Each volume with a contents list, or précis of each letter giving name of correspondent, date of letter and subject matter. From 1926 the arrangement is by subject files.

For later records see CO 1036

Topics

International

Australia and Pacific

The office of high commisioner in, over and for the Western Pacific islands was created in 1877. Its jurisdiction extended over all the islands not within the limit of the colonies of Fiji, Queensland, New South Wales or New Zealand and not within the jurisdiction of any other colonial power. These included the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony, British Solomon Islands Protectorate, Tonga, New Hebrides Condominium and Pitcairn Islands. With the constitutional advances made in each of the territories and the appointment of separate governors, the jurisdiction of the high commissioner diminished and in 1976 the post was abolished.