The bond between brothers is a connection forged with strength and unconditional love.
Two monuments situated in the heart of Suva, within the peaceful and scenic boundaries of Thurston Gardens, have remained a silent and forgotten symbol of a brother’s undying love.
In this week’s Discovering Fiji, The Sunday Times team visited Thurston Gardens to remind Fijians about the clock tower and a water fountain located a few meters from the main entrance, both of which were erected by Sir Henry Marks in memory of his late brother, Gabriel J Marks, the first Lord Mayor of Suva.
The Thurton Gardens is a regular and much-loved getaway spot for those seeking a place to sit back and relax, enjoy a nice lunch, read a book, or just escape the noise and chaos of the city.
The history of the gardens goes as far back as 1881, when it was established as Suva Botanical Gardens but was later renamed in 1976 to Thurston Gardens in honour of Sir John Bates Thurston who served as Colonial Fiji’s fifth Governor from 1888 to 1897.
According to the Suva City Council, Governor Thurston was an amateur but extremely passionate and knowledgeable botanist who had a great love for plants.
Found within the vicinity of the gardens are several ornamental and timber trees, orchids, and ferns, as well as a good number of flowers and shrubs, some of which are endemic to Fiji.
Apenisa, a groundskeeper who was hard at work pruning hedges and clearing up fallen leaves in the gardens relishes every day he spends working within Thurston Gardens.
“It’s peaceful here, while doing my rounds and working, I listen to the birds singing, smell the flowers and feel the warmth of the plants with the sun over my head. It’s a unique work experience I would say,” Apenisa said.
The clock tower and bandstand are situated adjacent to the Fiji Museum at the far end of the gardens. Placed above the main entrance to the octagonally shaped bandstand is a commemoration plaque dedicating the structure in memory of Gabriel J Marks, who served as the capital city’s first father.
On May 23, 1940, Marks and his wife Marion drowned when the ocean liner RMS Empress of Ireland sank as it made its way along the Saint Lawrence River in Canada.
The Marks couple along with Gabriel’s brother, Sir Henry were among Suva’s most prominent and well-liked citizens and the incident came as a shock to Suva’s residents. According to The Fiji Times of June 2, 1914, flags from Government House, various foreign consulates and local businesses of Suva were ‘flown at half-mast’.
According to the website wikitree.com, Gabriel and his brother Sir Henry were prominent Suva businessmen at the time. Sir Henry continued to run the enterprise after his brother’s death growing it into what would become known as Henry Marks and Company Ltd, one of the wealthiest companies in colonial Suva.
The ever-bustling Marks Street in the middle of Suva’s Central Business District and Marks Park (near YMCA) are named in their honour.
Sir Henry would later become a member of the Legislative Council in 1914, the same year his brother died, and continue running the family business and its philanthropy work.
Fiji Museum records state that the clock tower and bandstand were constructed in 1918 by Henry Marks & Company Ltd.
Australian tourists, Christiana and David who arrived on the cruise ship, Queen Elizabeth that was docked at the Suva Harbour, visited the gardens and found the history behind the clock tower both sad and comforting.
“The architectural beauty of the tower in a way shows just how much love Sir Henry had for his brother and the power of the bond between them,” Christiana said.
On the other end of the park is the drinking fountain which was also presented by Sir Henry as a gift to the public. The inscription on the structure reads “Presented by Henry Marks for the use of the public visiting these gardens. January 1914”
Visiting tourist Ed Davey from Somerset in England who also arrived on the visiting Queen Elizabeth was fascinated by the fact that it was still standing today.
“I tried turning the taps on, but no water came out, unfortunately. It’s sad to see that it no longer provides water for the public. A fine piece of history I must say though.”
There is also a larger rectangular fountain, and pool situated a short distance from the drinking fountain, which is noticeably deeper in volume and has an interesting sculpture of what looks like a dolphin, and this is probably where water would be spewing out from as well. Sadly, this one has also dried up.
All in all, Thurston Gardens and its treasures are priceless and form an integral part of Suva and Fiji’s history and according to the Suva City Council, the clock tower and bandstand are listed as heritage buildings Grade A (being of national significance) under the Suva City Scheme Statement of 1991.
Sixty-seven-year-old Tamavua resident Maciu Salato who hails from the island of Matuku in Lau was passing through the gardens and expressed hope that necessary funding and resources be made available to ensure the grounds and the amenities within receive a much-needed facelift.
“I do hope our Suva City Council and the government of the day will set aside some money to carry out renovation work on the clock tower and the bandstand, as well as the dried-up fountains,” he said.
One hundred and ten years on, the clock tower stands over the gardens as a permanent reminder to Suva and its people of the unbreakable bond of brotherhood.
So, the next time you visit Thurston Gardens do visit the structure, read the commemoration plaque, admire its architecture, and appreciate the message behind it.
History being the subject it is, a group’s version of events may not be the same as that held by another group. When publishing one account, it is not our intention to cause division or to disrespect other oral traditions. Those with a different version can contact us so we can publish your account of history too — Editor.
