“They followed Koi to Suva, among them were Joni, Murina, Sam and two others. Koi became so attached to the Griffiths family that he would not go anywhere else to work, he stayed put,” Arthur Griffiths writes in his memoir.
“At Suva we also employed Sam (snowball) and Murina, who were happy workers at home and at The Fiji Times office where they worked part-time.
“It would take a large book to recount the many good things that could be said about Koi’s life in the Griffiths’ family.
“Time went on and to our surprise Koi had fallen in love with Satina who had come to our home as a little girl. She was an Indian orphan brought in to help mother. She was an attractive girl with big black eyes and a pleasant smile. In quick time Koi and Satina were married.
“Their first born was a boy they named Willy,” he writes. The family history knows Regi and Satina also had five other boys Albert, Alick, George, Harold, David and girls Anna, Eva, Ada and Violet. The only explanation there is about Koi relationship with Mrs Griffiths is in the words Arthur writes.
“I recall Koi by my father’s bedside when Pater (Annie Griffiths) was passing from this life. Big tears were flowing from his eyes for he knew that his best friend was leaving us all.”
It was obviously Koi was very close to Mrs Griffiths, someone who became a mother-figure for him in Fiji.
She taught him everything he needed to know about surviving in Fiji and that was cooking and chores.
Arthur further writes: “When my father’s house was no more (following the death of our dear mother) Koi came and worked for me in my home. He was loved by us and Jennie Scott Wilson (Arthur’s wife) could not praise him enough for his efficient work in the kitchen and house. In 1912 my family and I left Fiji for Australia and I never saw Koi again, I regret to say. I had a great affection for Koi who remained attached to the Griffiths family as long as he was able. Family records show Koi died in 1938.
“Later I regretted very much to learn of the passing from the life of poor old Koi whom we loved.
“During the latter part of 1947 I happened to pass through Suva, Fiji, when I made a visit to Satina’s home with my eldest son Randolph.
“I met Satina looking well, but she had white hair and seemed old for her years. Beside Satina I met a son George and a married daughter. Arthur says seeing Satina made him think of Koi and her when they were young. As he was doing this he turned and saw a frame on the wall he recognised the photo.
“..it was poor old Koi with snowhite hair – I felt ready to cry.
“My wife Jennie is gone beyond and I am now ready to go to eternity I loved them all. “I don’t know whether Koi got a colourful blanket, but he certainly had a colourful life. We all had a very deep regard and affection for him – may his soul rest in peace.
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