TRAGEDY AT FIJI

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6613, 18 May 1928, Page 12

TRAGEDY AT FIJI

BANANA IrKU WXlit'K ±ATJS. DEATH DUE TO RIFLE SHOT. SUVA, April 17. The townspeople were greatly shocked to-day when the news was circulated that, Mr Joseph Evans had met his death by shooting. Ho came to town on Saturday and his manner appeared to be ns usual. He went homo and appeared to bis friend, Mr E. Gordon, late chief inspector of produce, who lived with him, to bo in bis normal state of mind. Ho retired about 5 p.m. Mr Gordon, hearing a shot, rushed into the room and found his friend lying on the room floor with blood welling from bis mouth.

The Suva police, who were summoned; found deceased dead, with a string tied to his great too and the other end fastened to the trigger of a .23 Winchester rifle.

Mr Evans, who was unmarried, came to Suva 20 years ago and after being for some years in local mercantile houses, he took up a considerable area of land at the top of the Tamavua River, where he grow bananas, raised pigs and leased a good section to Indians and Chinamen. Ho is reputed to be well-off and is said to own a valuable lot of land at Manly, Sydnev. and elsewhere. About last Christmas Mr Evans wished to visit flu: Dominion, but was unable to dispose of or lease his property. He had lived much alone and was of a very cpiict, and retiring nature. He was much respected by all.