Last Of The Fiji Big Four

Death of Robert Crompton

FOUR men greatly influenced the administrative shape and SSSc Siaracte? of the Fiji which entered World War II nearly ? years ago They were James Henrv Marks, HeT/ Mtoe 5 Scott " Robert p ’ fKor-ofnrP thpv were T° a degree, 1 y the architects of modern Fiji Two were merchants (Hedstrom

C?onipTonr Each 7 S

business was highly successful, and -often unconsciously-thus exercised some control over material things But in each case, the man’s real influence came from breadth of vision, wisdom, and strength of character.

Nominally, Fiji was ruled by the British Colonial Office, through a series of Governors. But Britain very wisely, accepted advice and guidance in administering her Colonial Empire, from outstanding local citizens; and Fiji’s long record of Peace, progress and prosperity was due to the useful collaboration Fiji’s Governors, during 50 yearSi Hedstrom Marks , Scott ?nd Crom p to n.

The three first-named all passed away after World War 11, uU of honours and , nche ® „ J h ® r fo S r XX’

Robert Crompton, CBE, QC, lived longer than all the others—he died at his home in Christchurch, New

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ealand, on December 19. He had :tained the great age of 90.

"Close of an Epoch"

“His death marks the final close ; an epoch,” said Mr. H. E. Snell, i a notable article in the Fiji imes. He describes how Hedstrom, cott, Marks and Crompton iormed a quadrumvirate which for generation virtually controlled the Jstiny of Fiji—sometimes openly, lore frequently behind the scenes.

“The quadrumvirate was basically ipported by the populace in Fiji, ad raised very little hostility—ex jpt among a section of civil ser iints who thought “outsiders” were .iking too big a part in government; ad among other politicians who

sought—with much less claim—to be representatives of the people and to dispossess the four of their seats and their power. . . . They got power, and kept power, simply by character and by force of argument.

“One of the ablest of the Gov ernors we have had in Fiji once said it was an astonishing thing that so small a country as Fiji should have thrown up four such big men as Crompton, Hedstrom, Marks and Scott.”

Tributes from all Sections

Robert Crompton was an English man, and qualified as a lawyer in England. In 1904 he arrived in Fiji, and established the large and suc cessful law business now carried on by his son, Robert.

As indicated, he took a prominent part in public life; and his family became deeply integrated with the Fiji European community. He was closely associated in business with Sir Henry Marks and Sir Maynard Hedstrom —there seems always to have been a Crompton on the Morris Hedstrom Ltd. board of directors.

The news of his death brought tributes to his character and achieve ments from all sections of the com munity.

The late Mr. Crompton was thrice married —to Roseline Allen, of Lancashire, England, who died in 1927; to Thelma Kathleen Suther land. of Suva, who died in 1933; and to Vera Crawford, of New Zea land and Suva, who survives him.

His son, Mr. Robert Crompton, has been head of the Crompton law firm for several years, since his father retired; and there are two daughters—Mrs. Rose Hedstrom, of Suva, and Mrs Ruve Donovan, who lives in Australia.