Deaths

of Islands People

Mr G. R. Antonio Mr George Rigamoto Antonia, descendant of a chiefly family of Rotuma, died recently in Suva, aged 80. Mr Antonio, who came from Noatau, was a grandson of Fesau Ralifo, a Methodist minister, who was one of two Rotumans who helpecLto prepare and translate the Rotuman Deed of Cession beforetheannexation of Rotuma by Britain in 1881.

He was a great-great grandson of high chieftainess Paurino Faefe, who surrendered the chiefly district of Noatau and her leadership to Ma’afu of Tonga when the Tongans invaded Rotuma in the 18th century.

Rev Father Brandon The Rev Father Joseph Brandon, a Marist missionary in Fiji since 1950, died in Suva on October 21, aged 60.

He was parish priest in the rugged Namosi area from 1955 to 1972. He taught for three years at St John’s College, Cawaci, for three years before going to Namosi. Father Bran don was ordained in 1940 in England and was a RAF chaplain till his dis charge in 1950.

Mr W. H. F. Edwards Mr William Hedley Fremantle Edwards, of Norfolk Island, died in Sydney in October, aged 68. He was the last of a number of of Edwards who had been sextons of the Norfolk Island cemetery at Kingston. His trip to Sydney to hospital was his first to the mainland.

Mr J. C. Prasad Mr Jagdish Chandra Prasad, £ journalist employed by Radio Fiji died suddenly on October 28, aged 34 He was a master at Tilak Higl School, Lautoka, for several year: before becoming senior newsman anc then current affairs producer of Radic Fiji. He leaves a widow and tw( children.

Mr Bhagwant Singh

Mr Bhagwant Singh, manager o the Royal Insurance Group in Fiji died recently, aged 53. He was one o two men who started the Liverpoo London Globe Insurance Co’s office in Fiji 20 years ago. This company later became a subsidiary of the Royal Insurance Co. Mr Singh leaves a widow and seven children.