Deaths Of Islands People

Mrs. A. W. Bentley Mrs. Amy Winifred Bentley, a well-known resident of Levuka, Fiji, died late in April, aged 78. She was born at Levuka and lived in Fiji all her life.

She is survived by three daughters and a son. Another son was killed in World War 11.

Mrs. Beryl Williamson Mrs. Beryl Williamson, a former resident of Suva, was one of the 50 people who drowned when the inter island ferry Wahine sank in New Zealand on April 10.

Her husband had worked in the Fiji Public Works Department. In 1956, Mrs. Williamson instructed Suva telephonists.

They left Fiji to settle near Dun edin.

Mrs. E. R. Hawksley Mrs. Elian Rosa Hawksley, of the second generation of a pioneer Euro pean family in Fiji, died on May 3, aged 84. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. R. B. Towson, who arrived in Fiji in 1866, and she was born on the family estate, Waibala bala, Savusavu, She leaves three sons and three daughters.

Mr. Theo Riaz Mr. Theo Riaz, possibly one of the best known figures in Suva, died on May 20 after a short illness, aged 89.

Mr. Riaz, completely blind for about six years, and almost blind for many years before, was a familiar figure in the city streets, as he went for his daily walk, count ing his steps, using verandah posts and kerb indentations as a guide.

He was born in New Zealand, fought in the Boer War and went to Fiji in 1906, working in a number of callings, from a labourer to an electrician.

He leaves two sons.

Mr. F. Woodhouse Mr. Frank Woodhouse, well known Fiji former mariner, died recently at Koro Island in the Lomaiviti group, aged 72.

In his younger days he was a boat builder, and in recent years he operated two cutters, the Margaret and the Wilma, out of Levuka.

He was the last master of the

Joyita before that ill-fated ship was beached at Levuka several years ago, after grazing the reef in Vatuvula Passage, of Makogai.

For the last seven or eight years he ran a cinema on Koro. He also owned a copra plantation.

Mr. Woodhouse leaves a son and two daughters.

Mr. Sue Compoy Mr. Sue Compoy, a leader of the Chinese community in Lautoka, Fiji, died recently after a short illness, aged 79.

He arrived in Fiji 63 years ago, and after working at Nausori for a period set up in business at Nadi as a storekeeper. Later he moved to Lautoka where he established a sound business.

Mr. D. R. Patel Mr. D. R. Patel, managing direc tor of R. D. Patel and Sons, Suva, died on May 12. He went to Fiji in 1930 during a period when a number of Gujeratis migrated to Fiji from Bombay and established a business at Sarava.

In 1944 he set up in Suva.

Mr. Patel took an active interest in Indian affairs in the colony, and played a prominent role in charitable affairs,

Madame Koringo

The death occurred in Tahiti in mid-May of Madame Koringo, wife of Pastor Koringo a Poo, one of the leading figures in the Protestant church of French Polynesia. Madame Koringo was 68.

Mr. Mohan Lai Singh Mr. Mohan Lai Singh, who arrived in Fiji in 1905 under the indenture system, died recently at his home at Korocirici, Nausori, aged 98. He served in the British Army in India in World War I. For the last 20 years he devoted his time to religious affairs.

He leaves five sons, 42 grand children and 86 great-grandchildren.

Ratu Apisal Veiseyaki

Ratu Apisai Veiseyaki, the Tui Vitogo, died recently at Lautoka after a long illness, aged 70. He was Tui Vitogo for 10 years, succeeding Ratu Jovesa Tana. Ratu Apisai was steward of the Vitogo Methodist circuit for 15 years before he became Tui Vitogo.

Mrs. Daphne Bollinger

Mrs. Daphne Bollinger, a resident of Misima Island, Papua, for many years, died in Sydney in May. She was 69. Mrs. Bollinger lived on Misima before and after World War 11.

She is survived by her husband, Mr. Tom Bollinger, who was a repre sentative of Gold Mines of Papua Ltd. until the early 50’s.

Mrs. Roberta Buscombe The sudden death in Port Moresby on April 27 of Mrs. Roberta Buscombe, Editor of Debates for the P-NG House of Assembly, came as a shock to her many friends. Mrs.

Buscombe had been in ill-health dur ing 1967, and went to Australia for medical treatment following the last meeting of the Assembly in November. But her death was un expected.

London-born, Mrs. Buscombe —as Miss Anstey—migrated to Australia with her mother and two brothers in 1948—her father, a policeman, hav ing been killed in the blitz.

She went to the territory as an Administration stenographer in 1958, and joined the Hansard staff, in what was then the Legislative Council, in 1960. She became supervisor and under her direction the Hansard staff was built into a highly competent organisation. She was appointed editor when the Assembly was inaugurated in 1964. She leaves a husband, Harley, whom she married in 1961.

Mrs. Josephine Buffett Mrs. Josephine Buffett, wife of Mervyn and daughter of Namoi and Benjamin Christian, died on Norfolk Island on May 23. She was 26.

An attractive young mother, Mrs.

Buffett was very popular with all Norfolk Islanders. She was buried at All Saints Church, Kingston, after a simple service conducted by the Reverend Roger Gregson.