In our third and final segment of a look at the origins of the street around the Capital City, today we take a look around Extension and Domain areas.
The informations here are sourced from the book “Suva: A History Guide” by Albert J. Shutz, which was reprinted by the Fiji Museum. The book is kept at the National Archives.
Extension St
A few years after the main surveying work on Central Suva was complete, E.W. Cross working under the Crown Surveyor, J. Berry planned an addition in area of Pender St, Clark St and Duncan Rd. His layout was called “Plan Showing Extension” of Suva town, and the area became known as Extension. For some of the older residents, it is also known as iVakananumi (Remembrance) because it was a camping site for Fijians who came to Suva to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897.
Berry Rd
John Proctor Berry, who came to Fiji in 1869 and eventually became the first Warden (Mayor) of Suva and a Commissioner of Lands and Surveys. Berry was the brother-in-law of Sir John Bates Thurston.
Carew St
Walter Sinclair Carew (1838-1906). Carew was born in New Zealand and came to Fiji as a cotton planter in the late 1860s. Later he was appointed Commissioner of the Lands Commission. In 1882 he was appointed Resident Commissioner in Colo East and Stipendiary Magistrate.
Denison Rd
Is named to honour three people who meant so much to Governor Des Voeux. The road was named to honour the Governors wife Marion Denison Pender, her brother Sir William Thomas Denison and their step-mother. Sir William who served as first Lieutenant Governorn in Horbart Town (1846-54), was appointed by Gladston and served under Earl Grey.
Des Voeux
Sir George William Des Voeux (1834-1909) third Governor 1880-86. He was once a Barrister and Solicitor in Canada served in various positions around the world before coming to Fiji.
Disraeli Rd
Benjamin Disraeli (1804-81) first Earl of Beaconsfield, British Prime Minister. An enthusiastic supporter of England’s role as the centre of the Colonial Empire, he took office just as the official report on Fiji’s potential as a colony reached England. Disraeli Rd was simply a narrow track the first house being built by Mr Le Faivre, the photographer on a site facing the present tennis court.
Duncan Rd
A.M.T. Duncan born in Victoria in 1862 was educated in Carlton Melbourne. An early resident of Suva, was a shipping agent with Messrs James McEwan & Co. Ltd. Later he was Warden of Suva five times and a member of the Legislative Council, the Marine Board and the Board of Health. Duncan was one of the founders of the Presbyterian Church arranging for the building of the church on the present site.