Colin Allan
Encyclopedia
Sir Colin Hamilton Allan KCMG, OBE (1921-1993) is a New Zealander who was a British Governor and High Commissioner. He was also an author and lecturer.
. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Canterbury University in 1943 and Master of Arts in 1945. He also obtained a Diploma in Anthropology from Magdalene College, Cambridge University.
he was a Naval Officer in Wellington in 1942, transferred to the New Zealand Signals the same year and was in the Army Education Service until 1944 where he held the rank of Lance Corporal. In 1945 he was posted to the British Solomon Islands Protectorate Defence Force where he served as a Lieutenant until 1946.
He was appointed as District Officer on Nggela (1945), Western Solomons (1946), Ysabel and Choiseul (1948), and Malaita
in 1949. From 1947 to 1948 he was District Commissioner for Western Solomons. He became District Commissioner for Malaita in 1952. From 1953 to 1954 he was Special Lands Commissioner. By 1954 Allan had organised the first Council of Malaita for the local population. This effectively ended the influence of the Marching Rule.
In 1957 he wrote a book called Customary Land Tenure in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate in which he outlined the native land ownership.
The New Hebrides were considered the ultimate colonial absurdity. Both the French and British ran duplicate systems law and order, education, medical care, and government. There were three separate administrations all running at the same time: Anglo-French, British for British nationals, and French for French nationals. Allan's residence was on Iririki
by Port Vila
. The French residence was on the mainland. Each residence was built at exactly the same height above sea level, with flagstaffs of exactly the same dimensions, and had their flags raised and lowered at the precisely the same time each day.
Vanuatu became independent in 1980.
and the Universities of Auckland, Otago and New South Wales all invited him as a visiting lecturer or fellow.
Allan was awarded the OBE in 1959, the CMG in 1968, and KCMG in 1977. He was also awarded the French Commander l'Ordre National du Merité.
He died on 5 March 1993 at Howick, Auckland.
Background
Allan was born in Wellington on 23 October 1921. He was the son of John Calder Allan and Mabel Eastwood.Education
He was educated at Cambridge Primary School and attended Hamilton High SchoolHamilton High School
Hamilton High School may refer to:* Alexander Hamilton High School in Los Angeles, California* Alexander Hamilton Jr./Sr. High School in Elmsford, New York* Alexander Hamilton High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Canterbury University in 1943 and Master of Arts in 1945. He also obtained a Diploma in Anthropology from Magdalene College, Cambridge University.
Military service
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he was a Naval Officer in Wellington in 1942, transferred to the New Zealand Signals the same year and was in the Army Education Service until 1944 where he held the rank of Lance Corporal. In 1945 he was posted to the British Solomon Islands Protectorate Defence Force where he served as a Lieutenant until 1946.
Colonial service
Towards the end of World War II the British Colonial Service had a vast backlog of vacancies in its 50 dependent territories around the world. Restoration of basic civilian administration was a priority for the Service, particularly in those countries that had been overrun. Because of the shortage of suitable staff the Service appointed some colonials, including Allan.Solomon Islands
The post-war period was a particularly difficult one for the Service with various independence movements springing up around the globe. In the British Solomon Islands Protectorate where Allan was appointed as Administrative Officer (Cadet) in 1945 the Marching Rule was one such movement.He was appointed as District Officer on Nggela (1945), Western Solomons (1946), Ysabel and Choiseul (1948), and Malaita
Malaita
Malaita is the largest island of the Malaita Province in the Solomon Islands. A tropical and mountainous island, Malaita's pristine river systems and tropical forests have not been exploited. Malaita is the most populous island of the Solomon Islands, with 140,000 people or more than a third of the...
in 1949. From 1947 to 1948 he was District Commissioner for Western Solomons. He became District Commissioner for Malaita in 1952. From 1953 to 1954 he was Special Lands Commissioner. By 1954 Allan had organised the first Council of Malaita for the local population. This effectively ended the influence of the Marching Rule.
Western Pacific High Commission
From 1954 to 1955 Allan was attached to the Western Pacific High Commission's Secretariat (Finance and Development). He became Senior Assistant Secretary in 1955. Appointed to the Special Lands Commission from 1956 to 1957, member and Secretary BSIP Agriculture and Industry Loans Board (1956-1957), Secretary for Protectorate Affairs (1957-1958), Chairman BSIP Copra Marketing Board (1957-1958), and UK member of the South Pacific Commission Research Council (1958).In 1957 he wrote a book called Customary Land Tenure in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate in which he outlined the native land ownership.
New Hebrides
Allan was Assistant British Resident Commissioner to the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu) from 1959 to 1966 and British Resident Commissioner from 1966 to 1973.The New Hebrides were considered the ultimate colonial absurdity. Both the French and British ran duplicate systems law and order, education, medical care, and government. There were three separate administrations all running at the same time: Anglo-French, British for British nationals, and French for French nationals. Allan's residence was on Iririki
Iririki
The privately lease held island of Iririki is located in Mele Bay, a free 3-minute ferry ride from the Vanuatu capital Port Vila. The whole island is leased to the Iririki Island Resort and no ni-Vanuatu live on the island.-History:...
by Port Vila
Port Vila
Port Vila is the capital and largest city of Vanuatu. Situated on the south coast of the island of Efate, in Shefa Province, the city population at last was 29,356, an increase of 55% on the previous census result . This suggests a 2007 population of about 40,000 or around 65% of the province's...
. The French residence was on the mainland. Each residence was built at exactly the same height above sea level, with flagstaffs of exactly the same dimensions, and had their flags raised and lowered at the precisely the same time each day.
Vanuatu became independent in 1980.
Seychelles
In 1973 Allan was appointed Governor of the Seychelles. A post he held till 1 October 1975 when he was appointed High Commissioner from 1 October 1975 to 28 June 1976. On 28 June 1976 the Seychelles became independent.Return to the Solomons
Allan was appointed Governor of the Solomon Islands and High Commissioner for the Western Pacific from 1976 to 1978. His appointment ended when the Solomons gained their independence in 1978.Retirement
Allan had considerable experience in colonial government, studied anthropology, and was Lands Commissioner in the Solomons. This gave him special insight into the region. When he retired the Australian National UniversityAustralian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
and the Universities of Auckland, Otago and New South Wales all invited him as a visiting lecturer or fellow.
Allan was awarded the OBE in 1959, the CMG in 1968, and KCMG in 1977. He was also awarded the French Commander l'Ordre National du Merité.
He died on 5 March 1993 at Howick, Auckland.
External links
- Sir Colin Allan Papers via Pacific Manuscripts Bureau