Suva Botanicals
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Suva Botanical Gardens
 The next part of our bimble around
Suva was a visit to the Botanical Gardens.
 Wiki Says:- Thurston
Gardens are the botanical gardens
of Fiji.
They used to be known as the Suva Botanical Gardens but its name was changed in
honour of the fifth Governor of Fiji, Sir John Bates
Thurston, who was Governor from February 1888 to March 1897. Thurston Gardens is located in central Suva, between Albert Park and the Government
House.
 History: Thurston Gardens are built on the site of the original town of Suva that was burned in 1843 in one of the bloodiest fights in Fiji's history. Many of the inhabitants were killed and eaten by the people of Rewa. In 1879, Sir John Thurston invited and asked John Horne (Botanist), the Director of Forests and Botanic Gardens in Mauritius to visit and make recommendations for a Botanical Garden. The gardens were originally named Suva Botanical Gardens, but were renamed in 1976 in memory of Sir John Thurston. In 1913 the Gardens were reorganized and drains were laid underground. The avenues of 101 Royal Palms and 39 tree ferns were also planted. The Clock Tower and band stand were constructed in 1918 in memory of the first mayor of Suva. The Fiji Museum, now occupies the building that was built in the Botanical Garden grounds in 1955. The Gardens Today: The Fiji Museum is currently maintaining the gardens. Although many of the buildings and artifacts seem to be in need of attention the gardens are still regularly enjoyed by the people of Suva during the day. Spread throughout the grounds are varieties of palms, gingers, water lilies and other local flora.
The Gardens are well laid out and the grass is neat.
Well kept borders.
The Henry Marks water fountain looks pretty good, from a distance, then you close in to see no water to drink and then see the cracks that currently house ants nests. The Melbourne Argus, Tuesday the 7th of June 1938 Obituary read:- Sir Henry Marks died at Suva, Fiji, on Saturday at the age of 77 years. He went to Fiji 55 years ago, and founded the firm of Henry Marks and Co., general merchants. Sir Henry Marks was born In Melbourne and was educated at Scotch College. He was Mayor of Suva for many years, and was elected a member of the Fiji Legislative Assembly seven times He was chairman of directors of the Pacific Insurance Co, and of Sturt, Ogilvie and Co Ltd. Sir Henry Marks sent a contingent of Fijians to the Great War at his own expense He leaves two sous and four daughters living abroad Lady Marks died last year.
A very poorly ex water feature.
A massive crack in the corner probably means this is the only view possible.
Buttress roots make for great tree support and interesting shapes. Happy palm.
Trees in need of a prune, paths being broken by roots but there is the odd splash of colour.
A handsome clock stands in front of the Fiji Museum tucked in one corner of the gardens.
The dedication on the clock. The S.S.Empress of Ireland was the ocean liner that sank in the Saint Lawrence River following a collision in thick fog with the Norwegian collier SS Storstad in the early hours of the 29th of May 1914. Of the 1,477 people on board, 1,012 died. This is the largest number of deaths of any Canadian maritime accident in peacetime.
Mmmm.
ALL IN ALL A SHAME TO SEE THE SAD BITS REMARKABLY NEAT AND TIDY BUT VERY TIRED |
