QUEEN ELIZABETH DR. – (Domain)
Namea for Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Fiji with the Duke of Edinburgh in S.S. Gothic, during the Commonwealth tour which followed her Coronation in 1953. Originally called Marine Parade, Queen Elizabeth Drive is the continuation of Victoria Parade (beginning at Cakobau Road) south to Suva Point and along the southeast part of the peninsula as far as Laucala Bay Road.
RATU MARA RD. – (Samabula)
The Right Honourable Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, K.B.E., P.C. Became the first Prime Minister of Fiji (1970) after being Chief Minister during the period (1967-1970) of internal self-government prior to independence. Son of Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba, Tui Nayau, and himself installed as Tui Lau at Nayau in 1969. Educated in Fiji, and later at Otago and Oxford Universities and the London School of Economics. His parliamentary career, beginning in 1953, was preceded by administrative office in the Fiji Government service. Ratu Mara Road, beginning at the top of Edinburgh Drive, continues at the city boundary as King’s Road, the northabout highway between Suva and Lautoka.
RATU SUKUNA RD. – (Domain)
Ratu Sir Joseva Lalabalavu Vanaaliali Sukuna (1888-1958), K.C.M.G., K.B.E., Med. Mil., B.A. (Oxon), Barrister-at-Law of the Middle Temple. He served in a variety of positions in the Civil Service, for instance: Native Member of Legislative Council, Honorary A.D.C. for various governors, Examiner for the Fijian language. After he died (aboard the Arcadia, off Ceylon), his obituary in the Fiji Times read: `Fruits of the wise forethought and discernment he brought to the Colony’s affairs – such things as the Fijian Development Fund and the machinery of the Native Lands Trust Board and the Fijian Affairs Board – remain as lasting monuments to his memory. In any history of Fiji of this century, his name must have a prominent place. His influence reached into almost every significant field of the Colony’s development, and in all that he said and did there was deep wisdom.’
RICHARDS RD. – (Domain)
Sir Arthur Frederick Richards, K.C.M.G. (later Lord Milverton), 14th Governor 1936-8. Formerly Domain Road East, the road was renamed in 1951 to avoid confusion with Domain Road West, which became simply Domain Road. The segment that joins Ma’afu Street was formerly Cocks Street.
PENDER ST. – (Extension)
Sir John Pender (1815-96), pioneer of submarine telegraphy, Chairman of Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Co., and father-in-law of Governor DES VOEUX. Between Marion Street and Macgregor Road, Pender Street crosses a small stream that eventually feeds into Nubukalou Creek. The next stream south runs toward Government Buildings and is the one that is mainly diverted to run by Albert Park. Formerly, the street did not go all the way through. In 1902 there was only one house on Pender Street (Davidsons’, now owned by Mrs. Parham) There was a turnstile on the Pender Street track at the corner of Marion Street’ (McHugh).
PRINCE’S RD. – (Tamavua)
Commemorating (like Prince’s Wharf and Prince’s Landing) the visit to Suva on 21St April, 1920, by the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII and then, following his abdication, Duke of Windsor. The Fiji Times of 22nd April, 1920, said, `The Prince of Wales has come, and he has conquered the hearts of all who saw and heard him. `After the native ceremonies at Nasova, His Royal Highness, accompanied by His Excellency the Governor and Captain Clive Joske A.D.C., proceeded by car to the residence of Mr. S. A. Ellis and thence, accompanied by Mr. Ellis, walked to the native town of Tamavua, about two miles distant. `After inspecting the native bures, in which the Prince took a keen interest, the party returned to the car and thence to Government House, arriving back at 7 o’clock.’ The route of the royal walk is part of Prince’s Road, running from Suva to the Rewa River opposite Nausori.
