cakobau next turned to the australian-based polynesia company. the rising price of cotton in the wake of the american civil war (1861–1865) had interested the polynesia company in acquiring land in fiji for planting. in return for 5,000 km², the company agreed to pay cakobau's debt. australian settlers landed on of land in viti levu, near what was then a fijian village called suva, in 1868.