Apolosi Dead

Fiji's Stormy Petrel of the Between-Wars Period

UNSUNG, unhonoured and forgotten, Apolosi Nawai died on April 17 on Yanuca Island, eastwards of Taviuni, in Fiji. Yet, in his day, Apolosi was one of the most remarkable of Fijians, and he led what was the only movement resem bling a rebellion against British rule, since the Cession of 1874. He had lived in exile for 20 years.

Apolosi Nawai, soon after World War 1, organised in Fiji what was intended to be a native co-operative trading society, which he registered as the Viti Company, Limited. He seemed to have almost hyp notic powers over the Fijians. He could have done a great deal for his country men; but, unhappily, his attitude towards his European trade rivals—who naturally disliked and feared his native co-opera tive society—was so arrogant and hostile that he soon became involved in many foolish quarrels.

Old residents in Fiji still describe, with awe, a meeting which Apolosi and his fellow directors held in the Suva Town Hall. Representative Fijians had been arriving, from all over the Group, for days before, and about 700 assembled in the Hall. Apolosi appeared, in almost regal state, attended by various aides. He was attired in a tussore silk suit, made by a Sydney tailor, and he travelled in a luxurious car.

But neither Apolosi nor his henchmen could keep their hands out of the com pany’s till. They lived extravagantly, and they gave wild parties; and soon the com pany’s finances were in a hopeless tangle.

Apolosi fell foul of the law.

AFTER several unhappy episodes, Apolosi retired to the Yasawas, where the native people were almost wholly devoted to him, and gave him all they had. He became a kind of dictator, intensely anti-European.

Eventually, a Fijian policeman arrived in the Yasawas with a warrant for the arrest of Apolosi, for an offence com mitted in Nausori. Anolosi stood behind a bodyguard of 12 husky Fijians, and de fied the policeman. The latter retired to Lautoka.

Then Inspector Scott Young, with a couple of officials, went across from Lau toka, to arrest Apolosi. He found Apolosi in the midst of 300 or 400 natives, painted for war. The parley which ensued lasted for two very tense hours, during which bloodshed was dangerously close. Apolosi flatly refused to surrender, and the dis comfited nolice party returned to Lau toka.

A big force of police then was as sembled, under Colonel McOwen; but just before they sailed, they saw a large fleet of native boats come in from the Yasawas and anchor outside the reef. The colonel with a picked party, went out after dark ness, surprised the Apolosi party, and arrested Apolosi, his brother Kini, and about 100 men. All were sent to gaol for a few months.

Soon after their release, Apolosi and Kini fell foul of the law again; and this time Kini was deported to Lau (where he died) and Apolosi was banished to Rotuma for six years.

WHEN Apolosi returned to the main land, about 1930, he soon was in holts with the police again, and this time he was banished to Rotuma for 10 years. He returned to Fiji in March, 1940, but his confirmed defiance of the authorities got short shrift in wartime: he was deported to New Zealand.

After the war was over, he was per mitted to return to Yacata Island, be tween Viti Levu and the Lau Group; and

he subsequently moved over to Yanuca Island, where he died last April.

Apolosi was a man of strong person ality and outstanding ability; and, had it not been for his arrogance ana conceit, he might have done a great deal for the Fijian race, and taken his place among the highly-honoured Fijians of the pre sent day.

Those who left Brisbane by the “Mon toro” for New Guinea on May 17 last included Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Hart, aged 73 and 72 respectively. They were the veterans of the party, and had lived at Port Moresby for 3& years before the Jap invasion. Mr. Hart and his sons will resume their plumbing business in Moresby.