Deaths of Islands People

Pandit Ayodha Prasad Pandit Ayodha Prasad, founder of the first industrial organisation of Fiji canefarmers, the Kisan Sangh, and a prominent political activist in Fiji for many years, died at Lautoka on February 28. He was 62.

He was born in the Indian Punjab and came to Fiji as a schoolteacher in 1926. Later he became a cane farmer at Ba, and difficulties faced by the canefarmers generally led him to travel round the cane-growing areas and persuade the other farmers to join in forming a union. This led to the first cane contract with CSR in 1940. He was president of the Kisan Sangh from its beginnings in 1937 for many years, and at the time of his death was its secretary.

Mr. Prasad was twice elected to the Fiji Legislative Council, and was an early candidate for this year’s elections, withdrawing only when his health waned steeply. Mr. Prasad’s

wife died about 15 years ago, and he is survived by four sons, two daughters and several grandchildren.

His funeral was attended by the Fijian Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, and a crowd of about 3,000 friends and citizens of Fiji.

Rev. Eleanor Wilson The Rev. Eleanor Wilson, who spent many years as a missionary of the American Board and the United Church Board for World Ministries in Micronesia, died on February 27 in California, aged 80. She went to Micronesia in 1925.

She was captain of the missionary ships, Morning Star Six and Morning Star Seven, which sailed in the eastern Caroline and Marshall Islands. She was also a missionary teacher on Kusaie, Ponape and Truk.

Miss Wilson remained an active preacher and teacher after her retire ment from the Board for World Ministries in 1961. She lived in Kauai, Hawaii, for several years.

Mrs. A. (Jess) Green After a long illness Mrs. A. (Jess) Green died on February 10. She was the elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs, Washington of Kabaira plantation, New Britain, and had kept an interest in the territory right up until the sale of the plantation in recent times.

Mrs. Green was an active member of the New Guinea Women’s Club for many years, and became president on the retirement of the late Mrs.

Foxcroft. She retained the office until her admission to hospital in November, 1971. Mrs. Green is survived by her husband and three sons, Robert, David and Tom.

Insp. Hama (Tevita Fusimalohi)

Retired Tongan Senior Inspector of Police Hama, formerly known as Tevita Fusimalohi, died at his home in Talal o s i a , Kolomotu’a, on February 21, after several months’ ill ness. He was educated in New Zealand later at Tonga College.

He spent 36 years in the Tonga Police Force, passing rapidly through the ranks, and was Crown Prosecutor for many years. He retired in 1968 and was honoured with a long service certificate. A devout member of the Free Wesleyan Church, he served it as a local preacher and trustee. He is survived by four daughters and four sons, many grandchildren and one great grandchild.