Death of Fiji Pioneer

Mr. William Warren Thomas, of Lautoka

WITH the death of Mr. William Warren Thomas, of Lautoka, at the age of 87, on May 3, passes one of the few remaining early pioneers of Fiji. Mr.

Thomas had been in failing health for some time, but was bright and cheerful to the end.

A son of the late Mr. W. J. Thomas, once a legal practitioner of Levuka, he came to the Colony as a child in 1872, from Tasmania. He first served in King

Cakobau’s Government as paymaster to the forces; and after annexation, was ap pointed private interpreter to Sir Arthur Gordon, the then Governor. In this capa city Mr. Thomas travelled much through out the Colony, and came in contact with many of the leading visitors, including the Royal Princes when on their world tour, who came to Fiji in those early days. Many were the stories of those pioneer days that Mr, Thomas could re late. Like most other pioneers, however, he failed to record his experiences in print, and they are now lost with him.

Later Mr. Thomas was Judge’s Asso ciate to Sir John Gorrie, and subse quently Clerk in the Native Department at Levuka, the old capital of Fiji. When he left the Government service he and his brother, Charles, ran the Yaqara Estate where they bred cattle and horses.

It is perhaps in the Lautoka district that he was best known by the present generation.

The funeral from St. Peter’s Church of England was large and representative, and the many flowers and wreaths paid tribute in a small degree to the high esteem in which he was held by both the younger and older generations.

The Rev. J. G. Titus Rees officiated in

the church and afterwards at the grave side. , , Mr. Thomas is survived by his brother Charles W. Thomas, JP, of Lautoka—a well-known resident who is still hale and hearty, and takes a keen interest in colonial affairs.

Mr. William Warren Thomas.