Dies At 69

Fiji's Noted Historian R. A. Derric Dies At 69

Mr. Ronald Albert Derrk

Mbe, Amise, Ergs, Who W

held in high esteem among ;

races in Fiji for his activities

many walks of life, died at Su

on November 13 at the age]

68, after a long illness.

IN the course of a brilliant car< extending over 40 years in t Colony, Mr. Derrick had beer school principal, Chief Scout Coi missioner, Curator of the F i Museum, a Suva City Councillor a Deputy Mayor.

Outside Fiji he was best as an authoritative Fiji histori and geographer. Two of his boo The History of Fiji and The F Islands, became established wor and are to be found in the librar of all who are students of the Sou Pacific.

Mr. Derrick became Deputy Maj of Suva in November, 1959, afl having rendered outstanding servi as a councillor for six years. Bi unfortunately, he was unable serve in that capacity as he suffer a stroke a few days later a: entered the CWM Hospital, Suva, In February, 1960, he resign from the council, and Suva w poorer for the loss of his servio After his discharge from hospil he made a few appearances in publ and he was always welcome at t few Suva City Council functio his health enabled him to attem Mr. Derrick was Curator of t: Fiji Museum at the time of 1 death and with his vast knowled of Fiji was admirably suited to t] post.

The Geelong-born Mr. Derri was educated in Victoria and we: to Fiji in 1919 to become technic instructor at the Methodist Missi( Technical Institute, Davuilev Former students of Mr. Derrick a now to be found working in mai parts of Fiji.

Established Craft Centre

Mr. Derrick remained at Davuile’i for 20 years and in 1939 he retin to establish the Government Teel nical School at Suva. This school now known as the Suva Cra Centre. Seven years later Mr. Derrk became Supervisor of Technici Services, responsible for the orgar isation and extension of all ted nical education in Fiji.

Such were his talents, that i 1950 he was seconded to the Sout Pacific Commission for se v e

hs to take charge of a research ct to examine the existing ties for the professional and deal training of the people of tropical areas of the South ic. is work took him to many i groups and led to his writing Monal Training in the South lc. He continued his work for 3PC in 1952 as an alternate nissioner for the United King the missionary field Mr. Derrick i fluent preacher and speaker th Fijian and English. His ad vas always in keen demand in h courts and synods, was a member of a small com e which revised the Fijian Ddist Hymn Book. He wrote a ier of the hymns in this book, these are still popular among lethodist congregation in Fiji. j scouting movement in Fiji much to Mr. Derrick’s drive nitiative.

Honorary Chief Scout en ill-health led to his resigna is Chief Commissioner he was the title of honorary Chief Commissioner of Fiji, his first book, A History of published in 1946, Mr. Derrick led himself to the period be- Jession. With endless patience arched old files, records, etc., conducted many interviews to ce a book which occupies a nent place among the his -1 records of the Colony, published his second book, Hji Islands in 1951, and earned imself the title of historian apher.

Derrick had many other in s in his career in Fiji, among the Fiji Show, which he helped ;anise as long ago as 1925, and 'oung Fiji Society.

Derrick Is survived by his j, who is also well known for lublic work in Fiji, and six en. The children are Alwyn (Suva), Rowan Ronald (Syd- Ruth Vetia (Melbourne), Jean (Suva), Noella Ruve (Syd and Brian Frazer (Suva). One ied in New Zealand about two ago.