Sigatoka, Fiji

Death Of W. R. Hayes, Of

A WELL-KNOWN resident of the Siga toka district (Fiji), Mr. William Roderick Hayes, died at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, recently.

He was born in Waimate, New Zealand, 58 years ago, and went to Fiji early in 1915, under engagement to the Gov ernment as a land surveyor. He retired from the Civil Service after a short term and for 30 years had practised his pro fession in the Sigatoka district.

His widow survives him, also four children —Mrs, J. Newcomb, of Sydney; Don, of Fiji; Lila, on the staff of the Dunedin Medical School; and William, a student in civil engineering, at the Otago University.

Mr. John Thompson, pioneer mission ary of Churches of Christ to the Queens land Kanakas, died recently at Pialba, Qld., in his 87th year. The early work of Mr. Thompson led later to the establish ment of Churches of Christ missionary work in the New Hebrides Islands.

Mr. Michael E. Moran, father of Mr.

Leonard Moran, president of the Poly nesian Club, Sydney, died at Woollahra.

Sydney, on April 19, at the ripe a|e of 78. He was born in England, of Irish stock; and his home in the Eastern Sub urbs of Sydney was home also to many people of Polynesian blood. Visitors to Sydney and residents assembled at a weekly gathering which originated in 1912, and was the forerunner of the Poly nesian Club. Ma*hy an appeal for help or work came to Pa Moran from the Syd ney Polynesians and was never refused.