Mcgowan Brothers

Die Within Eight Days

Of Each Other

Two members of a well-known pioneering family in Fiji died within eight days of each other in early July. They were the brothers Gordon Goodenough McGowan, who was 94, and Arthur Quentin McGowan, who was 88.

Mr. G. G. McGowan, who was born in 1873, the year before Fiji was ceded to Great Britain, died in Suva on July 4.

He was educated at Levuka, and later operated a sailmaker's business there.

Later he bought Laucala Island, off the eastern tip of Taveuni, and he and his wife lived there till about 15 years ago, when they sold out to Morris Hedstrom Ltd.

Mr, and Mrs. McGowan then went to live in Suva.

He was in ill-health for about 12 months before he died, Mr. A. Q. McGowan died in Suva on July 12.

Like his brother, he was educated at Levuka. On leaving school, he be came an apprentice with Jimmy Morgan and Sons Shipping Co.

After some years at sea he went to Suva as managing partner in the family concern of McGowan Bros.

Mr. McGowan also worked for Henry Marks. In 1920, he founded his own firm, A. Q. McGowan and Co., traders in trochus shell and other Islands produce, and in a wide variety of other goods.

In 1956 he built a new building in Suva, which carried his name, with frontages to Gumming, Margaret and Marks Streets.

He leaves two daughters and a son.