Natives Had Faith
p. 76 · Read in the full issue
In Him
Death of Mr. W. J. Swann, of Samoa
From Our Own Correspondent APIA, June 2.
AT Apia Government Hospital on May 20 one of the few remaining old sett lers, who came to Samoa at the end of the last century, Mr. W. J. Swann, died at the age of 77. For nearly half a cen tury Mr. Swann had been a resident of Western Samoa, having arrived here as a young man in the late 80’s.
For long years he has been a chemist and trader, and was one of the best known and respected identities of the ter ritory. As a chemist he enjoyed an enor mous reputation with the Samoans in all parts of the islands, who implicitly be lieved in his knowledge and advice, par ticularly regarding children’s diseases.
Natives came from the remotest districts to obtain his assistance.
Mr. Swann was a staunch Britisher and closely connected with all patriotic move ments in Samoa. A brother, who died some years ago, was a well known chemist of Suva, Fiji, while a sister is a mem ber of the Marist Sisters Order at Apia.
Mr. Swann left a family of four married daughters and two younger sons.