Passing of Mr. Georgius

Link With Old

Fiji

Passing of Mr. Georgius Wright

WITH the death of Mr. Georgius Tt Wright, of Nasese, Fiji, on November 13, the Colony lost one of its last links with pre-Cession Fiji, Mr. Wright was born in London, 90 years ago, and went to Fiji as a sergeant-instructor to Thakombau’s troops, in 1872.

Thakombau was king of Viti Levu and, in 1861, he and other high Fijian chiefs made strong representations to Britain to take possession of the Fijian islands —one condition being that Britain assist with a claim of £9,000 which USA had made against Thakombau in respect of damages of various kinds. But Britain had other colonial troubles at the time, and declined the offer. Thakombau then offered the islands to USA—but the Americans were busy with a civil war, and did not even reply.

During the next ten years, attempts to form some sort of Government were made and, in 1871, the “Kingdom of Fiji” was constituted and a general election for a new Parliament held. It was at this period that Mr. Wright and two com panions went to Fiji as drill instructors.

But this system of self-government was hopeless and, when the islands were finally ceded to Britain in 1874, and be came a Crown Colony, promises of large grants of land and deferred pay, which had been made to the instructors, were not honoured.

After Cession, Mr. Wright settled on Vanua Levu for a time; but, in 1876, he entered the Government Service, and in the next 36 years he served in many departments—finally becoming Governor’s Commissioner and Stipendary Magistrate for Colo West. After his retirement from the Government, in 1912, he became Curator of the Fiji Museum. His know ledge of the Colony’s early days made him a very valuable man in this position.

For the past few years he has been living in retirement at his home in Nasese.

He is survived by a wife and three sons: Maitland, Rob and Oscar.

Private H. St. George Ryder, son of Mrs. Nelson, of Suva, Fiji, has been re ported wounded in New Guinea while serving with the AIF.