Death Of Old Fiji Settler

fTIHE oldest settler in the Ba District, X Fiji, Mr. F. C. Clapcott, died at Lautoka on July 13, after a brief illness.

He was 73 years’ old and had spent nearly half a century in the Colony.

A New Zealander, Mr. Clapcott joined the CSR Co. at Nausori, Fiji, in 1894 and shortly afterwards was transferred to Ba as overseer. In 1900 he became cane inspector. Later, he purchased Yala Levu Estate from the CSR, and this venture proved highly successful.

Mr. Clapcott represented Ba in the Fiji Legislative Council for six years.

Throughout his long years of residence

in the district he was closely associated with every public and sporting movement.

Three children survive him—a son, Mr.

Anson Clapcott, now serving with the NZ Forces, and two daughters, Mrs. A.

Carver and Mrs. J. Emslie, wives of CSR officials.

From Our Own Correspondent SUVA, July 17.

MR. Fred. Clapcott, who died recently at Ba, was a man with whom some disagreed for a short time, but many more liked for a much longer time. He was no orator, and so his great know ledge of the country and his excellent commonsense attitude to the political and economic issues of the moment did not find adequate expression in the House.

On the other hand, there would be few old residents who do not feel that Fiji would be a better place to live in if his views had won more general adoption.

His death means that the old Clapcott- Carr dynasty, which had so much in fluence on the destinies of Ba in the early days, is now almost at an end.

Late Mr. F. C. Clapcott.