Hermit Hunter of Rufiji

Also used the name Ronald B. Delabere (and variants).

He was a New Zealander and wrote a book 'Rufiji' about live in Tanganyika. He dedicated it to Clement Gillman. I am currently researching Ronald Delabere and would like to know if anyone can give me any details. He was also known as the Hermit Hunter of Rufiji.

Hello David,

Just discovered one of your great websites - nTZ. I found it fascinating having lived in Tanganyika on and off from 1948-64 (Mwanza, Tabora (twice), Arusha and Dar (several times). Taught briefly at Soni (1961) and went to St Mary's in Nairobi (1949-60). It is an excellent, however, I have a couple of comments which you might find useful.

It is very well set up and the simple style excellent, once you get used to it. However, to the uninitiated it doesn't seem to have an obvious introduction ie 'home page'. I think this is a pity because I feel that some folks could come across the site and not having time to delve a bit deeper, could miss a lot and leave without contributing.

With some difficulty, I have now found what I think is the beginning - it's a bit like a treasure hunt and treasure it is! However, unless you have some very good reason (and maybe you have) it is a shame to miss those who, lacking persistance, might not have got so much out of it.

Not long ago, at the Edinburgh branch of the Britain-Tanzania Association we had a meeting in which members and friends were invited to bring along books about Tanzania and talk for a few minutes about them (this included some of the authors of same). An interesting time was had by all and one member has compiled a bibliography. If you are interested, let me know and I shall pass the information on - you may get some additions to the site.

I have a few books on Tanzania and in due course could let you have details if you wish. Some are quite old like the ones by the 'Hermit' from Rufiji, others booklets on game and the country published by such as Shell and one a classic entomology book by a famous tropical beekeeper (now in Australia but for many years in Tabora and Arusha).

The beekeeper has published several interesting books as has his wife.

I don't have the authors of all the books to hand as I write this, neither have I had a chance to see if you already have them listed.

Others are about school days in Tanganyika and Kenya, one quite recent - the publishers hope to produce a follow up and may be looking for contributors. In the mean time, keep up the good work.

Best wishes,

John Goodman