John McCann - diary of two working trips for the Colonial Sugar Refining Co. Ltd to Fiji, 1902-1903 and 1905, together with photocopy and typed transcript by Margaret Swift, ca. 2004

MLMSS 7784

fonds

1902-1903, 1905, transcribed ca. 2004

457752

1 folder - 0.02 Meters
Textual Records - (manuscript)
Textual Records - (manuscript - photocopy)
Textual Records - (computer printouts)

John McCann (1869-ca. 1940) was born at Orange, N.S.W., the youngest child of Irish Catholic immigrants, Charles McCann and his wife Elizabeth, nee Maguire. The family moved to Sydney where they ran a grocery business in Crown Street. John worked for the Colonial Sugar Refining Company during which time he made two working trips to Fiji in 1902-1903 and 1905. He was employed as a water tender and engineer's assistant. Margaret Swift is McCann's granddaughter.

Diary describes McCann's first trip from Sydney to Fiji, 1 Oct. 1902-28 Sept. 1903; his travels between his accommodation and Rarawai Mill; fellow Australians and Indian labourers; the social life and customs; staff entertainment and social activities; and his regular meetings with Catholic priests and attending Mass. The diary continues with an abbreviated account of McCann's second trip in May 1905. He sails to Noumea where he visits the Catholic cathedral, and then travels to Lautoka which 'is the largest Mill in Fiji and has only been crushing since 1902.' He stops briefly at Suva, visiting the cathedral, then proceeds to Nausori and the Rewa Mill. The diary concludes with a summary of his first eight wage payments during his inaugural trip.