In 1868, when Suva was still a small village, the Bauan chieftain, Seru Epenisa Cakobau, granted  of land to the Australian-based Polynesia Company, in exchange for the company's promise to pay off debts owed to the United States. More than a tenth of this land area, , was located near Suva. The company's original intention was to develop a cotton farming industry, but the land and climate proved unsuitable.  