Colin Allan

Sir Colin Hamilton Allan (23 October 1921 – 5 March 1993) was a New Zealander who spent most of his professional life in the British administration of overseas territories. He was the last Governor of the Seychelles from 1973 to 1975 and then from 1976 to 1978 the last Governor of the Solomon Islands, before their independence.

Early life Allan was born in Wellington on 23 October 1921, the son of John Calder Allan and Mabel Eastwood.

He was educated at the Cambridge Primary School and Hamilton High School. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Canterbury University College in 1943 and then graduated Master of Arts in 1945. He also obtained a Diploma in Anthropology from Magdalene College, Cambridge.

Allan married Betty Evans in 1955. They had three sons: Timothy, Johnathan and Christopher.

Colonial Service Towards the end of the Second World War, the British Colonial Service had a large number of vacancies in some fifty dependent territories around the world. Restoration of basic civilian administration was a priority for the Service, particularly in those countries that had been invaded. The post-war period was a particularly difficult one for the Colonial Service, with independence movements springing up around the Empire, and it welcomed applications from the Dominions. a post he held until 1 October 1975 when he was appointed High Commissioner from 1 October 1975 to 28 June 1976, when the Seychelles became an independent republic. to 1978. His appointment ended when the Solomons gained their independence in 1978.

Retirement When Allan retired, the Australian National University and the Universities of Auckland, Otago, and New South Wales all invited him as a visiting lecturer or fellow. a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in the 1968 Birthday Honours, and a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in the 1977 Birthday Honours. He was also appointed as a Commander of the French Ordre National du Mérite.

He died on 5 March 1993 at Howick, New Zealand.

Publications Solomons safari 1953–58, Christchurch, Nag's Head Press (1990)