Old Suva sites, names
An undated photo of Victoria Pde, Suva. PICTURE: HIPPOSTCARD.COM
THE city of Suva as we know it was known as Nubukalou.
The Fiji Times on August 1, 1956 gave an insight into some of these old Suva sites including its names.
A notable example is Vatuwaqa.
At the mouth of the creek there was a large flat rock which the Fijians thought looked like a boat so they called it Vatuwaqa — vatu for rock and waqa for boat.
They gave that name to the creek and also to the large town that was on what we now call Flagstaff Hill. The town to which the Suva tribe shifted from its original town of Uluvatu above Walu Bay.
The third migration being from Vatuwaqa to the Botanical Gardens site, and, to many, to their death. If they had only kept to their fortified hill sites, how the ill-fated history of the Suva tribe could have been averted.
Though the Fijians gave the name Vatuwaqa to the creek, the town common usage has spread the name to the district roundabout.
We have the same misuse of names in European times.
It is common practise to use the name Suva Point to refer to the settlement in Laucala Bay, but any map will show that Suva Point is the natural point of Suva Peninsula, near the Cable Hut in front of Brighton Park.
Fortunately the Air Force refer to their location as Laucala Bay or perhaps better still, “The Bay” which eventually may put Suva Point in its proper place.
There are a number of European names which have gradually disappeared. There was Sealark Hill above Island Industries Ltd. Once it boasted a canon of ancient vintage. And on the Suva side was Heacon Hill. The two Joske homes which occupied both St Fort and Stewart streets down to the Centenary Methodist Church, were later acquired by the late Lady Barker, had frontages to Robertson Rd as well.
• To celebrate our 150th anniversary, we invite readers to share any of their favourite experiences and memories of The Fiji Times. Articles between 200-300 words can be emailed to editor@fijitimes. com.fj
The Fiji Times on August 1, 1956 gave an insight into some of these old Suva sites including its names.
A notable example is Vatuwaqa.
At the mouth of the creek there was a large flat rock which the Fijians thought looked like a boat so they called it Vatuwaqa — vatu for rock and waqa for boat.
They gave that name to the creek and also to the large town that was on what we now call Flagstaff Hill. The town to which the Suva tribe shifted from its original town of Uluvatu above Walu Bay.
The third migration being from Vatuwaqa to the Botanical Gardens site, and, to many, to their death. If they had only kept to their fortified hill sites, how the ill-fated history of the Suva tribe could have been averted.
Though the Fijians gave the name Vatuwaqa to the creek, the town common usage has spread the name to the district roundabout.
We have the same misuse of names in European times.
It is common practise to use the name Suva Point to refer to the settlement in Laucala Bay, but any map will show that Suva Point is the natural point of Suva Peninsula, near the Cable Hut in front of Brighton Park.
Fortunately the Air Force refer to their location as Laucala Bay or perhaps better still, “The Bay” which eventually may put Suva Point in its proper place.
There are a number of European names which have gradually disappeared. There was Sealark Hill above Island Industries Ltd. Once it boasted a canon of ancient vintage. And on the Suva side was Heacon Hill. The two Joske homes which occupied both St Fort and Stewart streets down to the Centenary Methodist Church, were later acquired by the late Lady Barker, had frontages to Robertson Rd as well.
• To celebrate our 150th anniversary, we invite readers to share any of their favourite experiences and memories of The Fiji Times. Articles between 200-300 words can be emailed to editor@fijitimes. com.fj