Thurston Gardens
Encyclopedia
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. Thurston Gardens is located in central Suva
, between Albert Park
and the Government House.
that was burned in 1843 in one of the bloodiest fights in Fiji's history. Many of the inhabitants were killed and eaten by the people of Rewa
. In 1879, Sir John Thurston
invited and asked John Horne (Botanist)
, the Director of Forests and Botanic Gardens in Mauritius
to visit and make recommendations for a Botanical Garden
. The gardens were originally named Suva Botanical Gardens, but were renamed in 1976 in memory of Sir John Thurston
. In 1913 the Gardens were reorganized and drains were laid underground. The avenues of 101 Royal Palms and 39 tree ferns were also planted. The Clock Tower and band stand were constructed in 1918 in memory of the first mayor of Suva. The Fiji Museum
, now occupies the building that was built in the Botanical Garden grounds in 1955.
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...
. 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
John Bates Thurston
Sir John Bates Thurston was a British colonial official who served Fiji in a variety of capacities, including Premier of the Kingdom of Viti and later as colonial Governor.- Early life :...
, who was Governor from February 1888 to March 1897. Thurston Gardens is located in central Suva
Suva
Suva features a tropical rainforest climate under the Koppen climate classification. The city sees a copious amount of precipitation during the course of the year. Suva averages 3,000 mm of precipitation annually with its driest month, July averaging 125 mm of rain per year. In fact,...
, between Albert Park
Albert Park (Suva)
Albert Park is located in Suva, the capital of Fiji.Albert Park can hold two rugby matches at one time. There’s also a hockey pitch located in the middle of the ground with a grandstand and a cafeteria...
and the Government House.
History
Thurston Gardens are built on the site of the original town of SuvaSuva
Suva features a tropical rainforest climate under the Koppen climate classification. The city sees a copious amount of precipitation during the course of the year. Suva averages 3,000 mm of precipitation annually with its driest month, July averaging 125 mm of rain per year. In fact,...
that was burned in 1843 in one of the bloodiest fights in Fiji's history. Many of the inhabitants were killed and eaten by the people of Rewa
Rewa Province
Rewa is a province of Fiji. With a land area of 272 square kilometers , it includes the capital city of Suva and is in two parts - one including part of Suva's hinterland to the west, and a noncontiguous area to the east, separated from the rest of Rewa by Naitasiri Province...
. In 1879, Sir John Thurston
John Bates Thurston
Sir John Bates Thurston was a British colonial official who served Fiji in a variety of capacities, including Premier of the Kingdom of Viti and later as colonial Governor.- Early life :...
invited and asked John Horne (Botanist)
John Horne (botanist)
John Horne FLS was the Director of the Botanic Gardens of Pamplemousses, Mauritius.-Life:John Horne was born in Lethendy, Perthshire, Scotland in 1835....
, the Director of Forests and Botanic Gardens in Mauritius
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
to visit and make recommendations for a Botanical Garden
Botanical garden
A botanical garden The terms botanic and botanical, and garden or gardens are used more-or-less interchangeably, although the word botanic is generally reserved for the earlier, more traditional gardens. is a well-tended area displaying a wide range of plants labelled with their botanical names...
. The gardens were originally named Suva Botanical Gardens, but were renamed in 1976 in memory of Sir John Thurston
John Bates Thurston
Sir John Bates Thurston was a British colonial official who served Fiji in a variety of capacities, including Premier of the Kingdom of Viti and later as colonial Governor.- Early life :...
. In 1913 the Gardens were reorganized and drains were laid underground. The avenues of 101 Royal Palms and 39 tree ferns were also planted. The Clock Tower and band stand were constructed in 1918 in memory of the first mayor of Suva. The Fiji Museum
Fiji Museum
The Fiji Museum is a museum in Suva, Fiji located in the capital city's botanical gardens, Thurston Gardens.The museum houses an extensive archaeological collection dating back 3,700 years and relics of Fiji's indigenous cultural history...
, now occupies the building that was built in the Botanical Garden grounds in 1955.