AUTHORITY ON FIJI

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 686, 11 June 1929, Page 10

AUTHORITY ON FIJI

OLD SETTLER S BIRTHDAY TRIP ON LABOUR SHIP A Fijian resident for over half a cn. tury. Mr. G. A. F M. Beauclerc celebrated his S4th birthday on June 2. He was born in Porta down. County \ r . magh. in Ireland, in 1845, and carnet., Fiji 54 years ago. Since then he has only left the colony once, for a period of seven months. Mr. Beauclerc is a well-known authority on the Fijian natives, having a knowledge of the language that, is probably unequalled in the world. He has made a study of their ways m<i customs for many years and is one o: the greatest living authorities on t'.icir history. He has contributed numerous papers to the Fijian Society. His only absence from Fiji occurred when he was appointed to a labour recruiting ship by the Government. He was sent to join her at Sydney and w a «= away from the island about seven months. On the ships return to Levuka full of workmen the harbourmaster went out to inspect her for seaworthiness. As lie rowed round her in his dingh. he pricked at her wooden sides with his sheath knife. To his amazemen: without the slightest difficulty the stee sank into the wood up to the hi; going right through into the hold, a it would have cost £I,OO0 —a very larg sum in those days—to make her sea worthy, she was sent back to Sydnev and Mr. Beauclerc settled once and for all in Fiji.