Deaths Of Islands People

Mr. George Sidney Hill

When Mr. George Hill died in the rench Hospital at Vila on July i, there passed on one of the best lown and well-liked identities of ie New Hebrides. His death oc irred a week before his 66th rthday.

During his 40 years in the Pacific, i knew well some of the other rritories. He was on Nauru for 7 e years, to 1925, then at Vila ith Burns Philp (SS) Co. Ltd. ransferred to NG, he was BP anager at Salamaua in the 1926 •Id-rush days, but resigned and mt gold-seeking himself, staking e first leases for Kaindi Syndi -te. After two years without get ig into the “big money”, he left e mainland and went across to avieng to work on Ted Bishton’s antation, Ulol Nono, In 1929 he returned to the New ebrides with his wife (Mildred cCoy, of Vila, before their mar ige in 1926) and began business a trader. Then, with the virtual llapse of the copra market, he ined the Condominium Service 1931. He became Treasurer in 35 and shepherded Condominium lances until he retired in mid -54, to live at his property at ack Sands, along the coast 3m Vila, Mr. Hill left a widow and an opted son, Minto.

Mrs. Jean Dutton

Much sympathy was expressed in •rt Moresby with Mr. James Dut q, a constabulary officer who has en a resident of the Territory r 12 years. His wife, Mrs. Jean itton, died on July 14, after giv ? birth to their fourth child. She is held in much esteem in the iands capital.

Mr. Paul Boutonnet

Mr. Paul Boutonnet, Director of e Societe Le Nickel, in New Cale nia, died there on July 13, aged years. He had suffered a series heart attacks. Mr. Boutonnet is well known in the international lelting industry but he had only en in New Caledonia one year, ifore that, he had served in many iportant positions, especially in e steel works of Lorraine ranee).

Mr. Percy S. Allen

Mr. Percy S. Allen, well-known years ago as a writer on Paci- Islands affairs, died in his sleep July 13, aged 85. He was on ie Sydney Morning Herald staff r 30 years, and retired in 1941. ; had many old friends among icific Islanders and in the news per world.

Mr. Allen was the compiler and itor of Stewart’s Handbook of e Pacific Islands, which was pub

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Mr. W. W. Cameron

An old identity of the NG gold fields, Mr. W. W. (“Bill”) Cameron died at North Balwyn, Melbourne, on July 9, aged 60.

Going to Salamaua in 1928, he was employed by Salamaua Trad mg Co. and at the hotel. Then he

worked Boomerang gold lease, Edie Creek, in partnership with Mr.

Ernie Bowden, until the war when he served with ANGAU, as a warrant officer.

Affprwn rHc !” ining ’ then’farming at Wau. re

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weaim pept. of Works, he joined officer^^La^^ 011 &S natlve labour Last year / in m.health, Mr.

Cameron was sent to Greenslopes Hospital (Qld.), then transferred to Heidelberg Hospital (Vic.), and had been in and out of hospital ever since. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Dorothy Cameron, daughter Anne and son Sandy, (See tribute, page 59). p y (Over)

Nihlu, Of Wewak, Ng

A New Guinea paramount chieftain who was decorated for outstanding service to the Allies during World War II died in Wewak in July.

He was Nihlu, one of the most influential native leaders in New Guinea’s Sepik district. He held the Loyal Service Medal.

Mr. Francis Joseph

Working with a logging company at Invercargill, NZ. Mr. Francis Joseph, of Lautoka, Fiji, was killed in July by a falling tree.

Before he retired from the ring in 1953, he was a popular boxer both in Fiji and NZ. Going into the butchery business, he was at Tavua for a time, then became manager of Lautoka Meat Co. Last year, he returned to NZ as manager of young David Joseph, featherweight cham pion of Fiji, and when the boxing contract ended he stayed on in the I>ominion.

Only 32, Mr. Francis left a widow, son and daughter.

Mr. J. P. Maharaj

One of the biggest funerals at Suva for some years was attended by all sections of the community when 80-years-old Mr. J. P.

Maharaj died on July 24.

Arriving in Fiji in 1904 —from Northern India, he joined A. J. C.

Patel Bros., merchants, as partner.

Later he commenced business on his own as a general merchant.

For some years he was president of the Ayra Samaj and managed the affairs of that organisation’s schools in the Southern District.

He is survived by his widow, four daughters and two sons.

Mr. M. K. Swamy

For many years secretary-treasurer of the Fiji Indian Association and u prominent, active member of the Indian community, Mr. M. K.

Swamy died in hospital in Suva on July 30. He was 50 years old.

Born in South Africa, he went to Fiji as a youth and later became a teacher. He was subsequently partner in Pacific Trading Co., and then formed his own firm, Fiji Agencies.

Mr. Swamy is survived by his widow, a son (a university law student in South Australia) and two daughters.