Thomas Ryder
Diary of establishment of plantation in Lau Group, Fiji, in 1865

MSS 0014

Contents

21 page photocopy of an original diary. Deposited by Dr. John Young, formerly of the History Department at the University of Adelaide  in 1987. Details of the source or location of the original diary are unknown.

The diary covers from 18th May to 15th October 1865, and is devoted to the clearing of land and the planting of cotton and yams at Farnham on Maugo by ‘Ra men’. The diary describes the day to day clearing and planting, and obtaining supplies of food. It also covers intermittent disputes with ‘Maugo men’ who were trying to re-establish themselves on Maugo.