William J. Hettig, Pioneer,

Dies In Tonga

Mr. William J. Hettig, A Well

known resident of Tonga, died in Nukualofa on November 17, 1949.

He was born in Altona, Germany, 75 years ago, and was only six months old when his parents came out with him to Samoa. Prom Samoa the family went to Tahiti, and later to New Zealand. When in New Zealand, William, then a young man, joined the Auckland Volunteers, ser ving as a British soldier for Queen Vic toria. The family then left New Zealand for Tonga, where they made their per manent home. Mr. Hettig’s parents died there and are buried in Telekava ceme tery.

With the exception of a few trips to New Zealand, William Hettig lived in Tonga for the rest of his life—about 57 years.

He was in turn carpenter, housebuilder, boatbuilder, and storekeeper for several island firms including such old ones as Vines, Utting & Perston Ltd., the DH & PG.

Later he started in business on his own account and had a substantial establish ment as an island merchant with a bakery business when the First World War broke it up in 1914 because of war restrictions on enemy aliens. These restrictions were hard in his case, as he had lived almost all his life in Tonga and had twice mar ried into Tongan families and had a large, part-Tongan family himself. His

first wife died in 1910. His second wife died in 1945. When Morris, Hedstrom, Ltd., started operations in Tonga it was Willian Hettig who they bought out and thus obtained a footing.

MR. HETTIG was known throughout the entire Tongan Group for his many fine qualities—his kindness and hospitality to all, his unfailing straight forwardness and honesty.

He is survived by a son (August) who lives in Nukualofa; two sons in America; a son and daughter in Auckland and a daughter in Samoa.

Family ant! relatives at graveside.