Deaths of Islands People

Mr James Madhavan Mr James Madhavan, a member of Fiji’s Legislative Council and House of Representatives since 1946, except for a break of three years, died sud denly on December 20, aged 58. He was a teacher by profession and later

a printer.

He was a founder-member of the National Federation Party, which grew from troubles in the canefields in 1960. He represented the Northern Division in the Legislative Council from 1946 to 1959. In 1959 he con tested the Western Division, and ran second to Mr B. D. Lakshman. He moved back to the Northern Divi sion, which became the Northern Constituency, for the 1962 election.

When Fiji achieved independence and a new Parliamentary set-up, Mr Mad havan represented Savusavu-Macuata East communal seat in the House of

Representatives.

Mrs Mavis Forbes One of the largest funeral proces sions in Norfolk Island memory mar ked the death in December of Mrs Mavis Forbes, following a heart at tack.

Mrs Forbes, 63, was born in Mel bourne and married New Zealander Twysden Forbes there in 1932. Mr Forbes, a publicity executive with J C. Williamson, was transferred b> “The Firm” to operate theatres ir New Zealand three years later, and the family lived there until 1959 During the war Mr Forbes server with the RNZAF air-sea rescue grouj in Fiji and Mrs Forbes owned anc operated one of Auckland’s leading restaurants, The Mayfair.

Mr Forbes returned from the wai in poor health, and in 1959 the couph retired to Norfolk Island.

In the years following his death ii 1966, Mrs Forbes came to be knowi as one of the island’s brightest host esses, with a great knowledge am understanding of the Pitcairn families She was a regular volunteer at Sun shine Club street stalls, and wa active in the Norfolk Island Gol Club, of which she was president fo a time.

She is survived by her only daugh ter, Mrs Andrew Thebo, and a grand daughter, Christine. Mr and Mr Thebo started the “Browse About shop on the island and were resident there until last year when they mo\o to Washington, DC.

Mr B. P. Singh Mr Bhan Pratap Singh, genen secretary of Fiji’s biggest Hindu oi ganisation the Shree Sanatan Dharar Pratinidhi Sabha, died at Suva earl in lanuary, aged 54. Apart from for years as a taxi driver, he was a prir ter all his working life. He retire from the Government Printery in 197 Mr Albert Christian Mr Albert Christian, a well-know identity on Norfolk Island, died i December. He was in his 60s. M Christian, or Hunky as he w< known, spent most of his life as farmer.

Ratu Tevita Makutu Ratu Tevita Makutu, paramoui chief of Nadroga Province, Fiji, die on December 29, aged 59. His tit was Na Kalevu (the big one). F worked in a number of different pr< vinces for the Fijian Affairs Depar ment, becoming assistant roko t

I and later acting roko tui in his own I province. Ratu Tevita was a member I of the Great Council of Chiefs for I 20 years.

Mr H. Huntley Mr Hamilton Huntley, manager of I ZJV broadcasting station in Suva I from 1936 to 1952, died recently in I Sydney. He was prominent in Fiji I tennis. He leaves a widow and four I sons.

Mr A. F. R. Stoddart I Mr A. F. R. Stoddart, Colonial I Secretary in Fiji from 1949 to 1957, died recently in England. He twice [ acted as Governor in Fiji. Mr Stoddart [ was Chief Assistant Colonial Sec j retary in Sierra Leone, Africa, before going to Fiji.

Lady Ragg

A personal tribute from R. W. Robson The gap made in the Suva com munity by the death of Lady Rene (Adrienne Josephine) Ragg, on De cember 5, at the age of 78, will re i main, simply because a woman of her quality is rarely seen.

She had an assured position as one of the heads of the Ragg family, and as the widow of the much-honoured Sir Hugh Ragg. But most of the pres tige she enjoyed in the later years of her long life came from her know- I ledge of and clear thinking about matters of public concern. She had many friends who admired her loyal ties and her readiness to assist any worthy cause; and quite a few enemies, especially in the feminine world, who did not like the forth rightness of her opinions, and her [readiness to express them.

She was a handsome and clever young woman when she married Hugh Ragg in 1920; and she devoted her self not only to rearing the brood of young children left to Hugh by the untimely death of his first wife, but also in making the success he achieved both as a trader and a politician.

She was at his right hand always as he built his ownership of a couple of country hotels into Northern Hotels Ltd, and pioneered Fiji’s now great tourist industry. The famous holiday resort now widely known as Korolevu Beach actually launched Fiji tourism, and there was as much Rene Ragg as Hugh Ragg in its con ception and establishment. She was a planner, a charming hostess and an entertaining conversationalist.

Rene Ragg was one of the last distinguished members of the old school of Fiji pioneers, and it is in that regard she will be fondly re membered.