John Bates Thurston
Encyclopedia
Sir John Bates Thurston (1836–1897) was a British
colonial
official who served Fiji
in a variety of capacities, including Premier of the Kingdom of Viti
(before the islands were ceded to the United Kingdom) and later as colonial Governor
.
, England
in 1836, where he received an elementary education before pursuing a nautical career. He eventually became a sheep farmer in Australia. In 1864, he joined a botanising expedition to the South Sea Islands and was wrecked on Samoa.
In June 1871, Thurston, then Britain's honorary consul
, forged a "marriage of convenience" between the Bauan
chief
Seru Epenisa Cakobau
and the British settlers. He persuaded the Fijian chiefs to surrender the independence of their fiefdoms and accept a constitutional monarchy
with Cakobau as king, but with real power in the hands of a cabinet
and legislature
dominated by settlers. The arrangement was not particularly successful. Within months, government overspending had led to the accumulation of an unmanageable debt which led to economic and social unrest.
In 1872, Thurston approached the British government, at Cakobau's request, with offer to cede the islands to the United Kingdom. (An earlier offer almost two decades earlier had been turned down). The British were much more inclined to annex Fiji now than they had been previously. The murder of Bishop John Patteson
of the Melanesian Mission at Nukapu
in the Reef Islands
had provoked public outrage, which was compounded by the massacre by crew members of more than 150 Fijians on board the brig Carl.
Two British commissioners were sent to Fiji to investigate the possibility of an annexation. The negotiations were concluded with Thurston himself acting as Premier, from 23 March to 10 October 1874, when Cakobau and his fellow-chiefs formally ceded the archipelago to the United Kingdom.
Thurston later served as Colonial Secretary. In this capacity, he persuaded the Colonial Sugar Refining Company
to extend its operations into Fiji by providing it with 2000 acres (8.1 km²) of land to establish its plantations.
In February 1888, Thurston became Governor of Fiji, a position he held till he died on 7 February 1897.
in his honour. Thurston's Palm (Pritchardia thurstonii
) is named after him.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
colonial
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
official who served Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
in a variety of capacities, including Premier of the Kingdom of Viti
Premier of the Kingdom of Viti
In 1871, Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau, the Vunivalu of Bau, succeeded in unifying the previously warring tribes throughout the Fiji Islands by establishing the Kingdom of Viti, with the support of foreigners...
(before the islands were ceded to the United Kingdom) and later as colonial Governor
Governor of Fiji
Fiji was a British Crown Colony from 1874 to 1970, and an independent dominion in the British Commonwealth from 1970 to 1987. During this period, the Head of State was the British Monarch, but in practice his or her functions were normally exercised locally by the Governor prior to independence ,...
.
Early life
John Bate was born in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1836, where he received an elementary education before pursuing a nautical career. He eventually became a sheep farmer in Australia. In 1864, he joined a botanising expedition to the South Sea Islands and was wrecked on Samoa.
Political Life in Fiji
In 1869 he became Consul for Fiji and Tonga.In June 1871, Thurston, then Britain's honorary consul
Consul
Consul was the highest elected office of the Roman Republic and an appointive office under the Empire. The title was also used in other city states and also revived in modern states, notably in the First French Republic...
, forged a "marriage of convenience" between the Bauan
Bau Island
Bau is a small island in Fiji, off the east coast of the main island of Viti Levu.-History:With the aid of Charlie Savage, who brought firearms to Bau Island, the Bauan people quickly established themselves as an undefeatable military force...
chief
Ratu
Ratu is a title used by Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, Adi is used by females of chiefly rank.-Etymology:Ra is a prefix in many titles and Tu is simply "chief"...
Seru Epenisa Cakobau
Seru Epenisa Cakobau
Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau was a Fijian Ratu and warlord who united part of Fiji's warring tribes under his leadership, establishing a united Fijian kingdom.-Background:...
and the British settlers. He persuaded the Fijian chiefs to surrender the independence of their fiefdoms and accept a constitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the parameters of a constitution, whether it be a written, uncodified or blended constitution...
with Cakobau as king, but with real power in the hands of a cabinet
Cabinet (Fiji)
Fiji has the Westminster system - executive authority is vested nominally in a President, but exercised in practice by a Cabinet of Ministers, presided over by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is formally appointed, but not chosen, by the President: the President must appoint as Prime...
and legislature
Legislature
A legislature is a kind of deliberative assembly with the power to pass, amend, and repeal laws. The law created by a legislature is called legislation or statutory law. In addition to enacting laws, legislatures usually have exclusive authority to raise or lower taxes and adopt the budget and...
dominated by settlers. The arrangement was not particularly successful. Within months, government overspending had led to the accumulation of an unmanageable debt which led to economic and social unrest.
In 1872, Thurston approached the British government, at Cakobau's request, with offer to cede the islands to the United Kingdom. (An earlier offer almost two decades earlier had been turned down). The British were much more inclined to annex Fiji now than they had been previously. The murder of Bishop John Patteson
John Coleridge Patteson
John Coleridge Patteson was an Anglican bishop and martyr.Patteson was educated at The King's School, Ottery St Mary, Eton and then Balliol College, Oxford. He was ordained in 1853 in the Church of England...
of the Melanesian Mission at Nukapu
Nukapu
Nukapu is one of the islands of the nation of Solomon Islands. It is in the Reef Islands group in Temotu Province; the easternmost province of the Solomons.The island contains a memorial to Bishop John Patteson who was murdered on Nukapu in 1871....
in the Reef Islands
Reef Islands
The Reef Islands are a loose collection of 16 islands in the northwestern part of the Solomon Islands province of Temotu. These islands have historically also been known by the names of Swallow Islands and Matema Islands....
had provoked public outrage, which was compounded by the massacre by crew members of more than 150 Fijians on board the brig Carl.
Two British commissioners were sent to Fiji to investigate the possibility of an annexation. The negotiations were concluded with Thurston himself acting as Premier, from 23 March to 10 October 1874, when Cakobau and his fellow-chiefs formally ceded the archipelago to the United Kingdom.
Thurston later served as Colonial Secretary. In this capacity, he persuaded the Colonial Sugar Refining Company
Colonial Sugar Refining Company (Fiji)
The Colonial Sugar Refining Company began operations in Fiji in 1880 and until it ceased operations in 1973, had a considerable influence on the political and economic life of Fiji. Prior to its expansion to Fiji, the CSR was operating Sugar Refineries in Melbourne and Auckland...
to extend its operations into Fiji by providing it with 2000 acres (8.1 km²) of land to establish its plantations.
In February 1888, Thurston became Governor of Fiji, a position he held till he died on 7 February 1897.
Botanical Contributions
John Thurston was also responsible for the establishment of Suva Botanical Gardens, later named Thurston GardensThurston Gardens
Thurston Gardens are the botanical gardens of Fiji. They used to be known as the Suva Botanical Gardens but its name was changed in honour of the fifth Governor of Fiji, Sir John Bates Thurston, who was Governor from February 1888 to March 1897...
in his honour. Thurston's Palm (Pritchardia thurstonii
Pritchardia thurstonii
Pritchardia thurstonii is a species of flowering plant in the Arecaceae family.It is endemic to Fiji, in particular the Lau Islands.It is threatened by habitat loss....
) is named after him.