General elections were held in Fiji in 1871 to elect members of the new Legislative Assembly.
In June 1871 King Cakobau created a House of Delegates, with elections taking place soon afterwards. The House passed amendments to the constitution, which provided for a Privy Council consisting of a high chief from each province, the governors of provincial councils and members of the cabinet, and an elected Legislative Assembly composed of Europeans. Writs for the elections to the Legislative Assembly were issued on 1 August and the House of Delegates ended its final session on 23 August.[1]
The Legislative Assembly had 28 elected members, elected from 21 constituencies.[1]
| Constituency | Elected members | |
|---|---|---|
| Ba District | DeCourcey Ireland | |
| Bua District | Frank Otway | |
| S.A. Quinn | ||
| Central (Lomaiviti) District | John Temple Sagar | |
| Dreketi District | J. Glenny | |
| Lau District | W. Hennings | |
| R.S. Swanston | ||
| Rupert Ryder | ||
| Kadavu District | T.W. White | |
| Levuka District | Sydney Burt | |
| F.W. Hennings | ||
| Dr. Ryley | ||
| Lower Rewa District | E. Wecker | |
| Macuata District | James Stewart Butters | |
| Nadroga District | T. King | |
| Nadi District | Otty Cudlip | |
| Natewa District | A. Tempest | |
| Navua District | C.H. Clarkson | |
| Ovalau District | W. Scott | |
| Savusavu District | A. Barrack | |
| Suva District | W.H. Surplice | |
| Tailevu District | H. Bentley | |
| Tavua & Rakiraki District | George Austin Woods | |
| Taveuni District | J. McConnell | |
| John Bates Thurston | ||
| Upper Rewa District | H. Eastgate | |
| W. Reece | ||
| Yasawas District | J.S. Smith | |
| Fiji Election Archive | ||
Following the elections, the Assembly was due to meet for the first time on 1 November, but this was postponed until 3 November after strong winds prevented Cakobau from attending.[2] Former mayor of Melbourne James Stewart Butters was elected speaker.[3] Seven of the elected members decided to go into opposition and formed the Constitution Party with Robert Wilson Hamilton as chairman.[2]
Fresh elections were due to be held in 1873 with Fijians allowed to vote. However, following protests by Europeans, the elections were cancelled. The next elections did not take place until 1905.[1]