Fiji’s last executioner Sue Cauty Pacific Harbour
William ‘Bill’ Reeves was born in Stockport, England, in 1908. He was a piano tuner who came to Fiji to pan for gold in 1935, when he was 27 years old. Near the end of 1936, Reeves was accused of murdering a man named John Smith who happened to be one of Fiji’s executioners — there were always several. The circumstances surrounding the death of John Smith are mired in rumour and conjecture. The Colonial powers accused Bill Reeves of murdering John Smith, who had simply disappeared. When Smith failed to re-appear, and without any evidence of his guilt, Reeves was thrown into jail and given a choice — accept the job of executioner or be hanged for Smith’s murder. Reeves was framed. Reeves accepted the job — a decision he regretted for the rest of his life.
Reeves was 29 years old when he became executioner, an occupation he held for 26 years, until the death penalty was abolished in the early 60s — possibly 1963, but unfortunately many Korovou Prison records were destroyed during the 1979/80 prison riots. Reeves lived some 30 years in Fiji; for a number of those years in the hills of Wialekutu. He was a loner, who loved books and to play classical music on his beloved piano, especially following an execution; and residents of the area would hear his impromptu concert. Reeves died at the Father Law Home in Wailekutu, on Sunday 5th December 1999, aged 91. He had lived there for the last 8 years of his life.
The Editor of The Fiji Times, Fred Wesley wrote about William Reeves, when he was a young reporter for Fiji’s Daily Post, on December 7, 1999, and 9th, and again on December 12. What he wrote is particularly significant today when there are calls for the return of the death penalty. I quote from Mr Wesley’s ‘How the Hangman Got His Job’, dated Sunday, December 12, 1999. Reeves once admitted that despite the many executions he’d performed, one face haunted him over the years. It made him a human wreck with a broken soul. It was the desperate call for help of a beautiful young woman, seconds before he killed her.
Ranjini Madhavan stabbed her fiancé to death and the girl he’d been having an affair with. To give Ranjini as much time as possible for a pardon, Reeves had purposely reported in late for the execution. He later admitted that he thought it was a crime of passion, and he’d hoped she’d get a reprieve. There wasn’t one. He was forced to place the noose and hood over her neck and head. “She began to cry softly, then she called for her mother. Louder and louder the screams came from inside the hood: Mother, please help me”.
Mr Wesley interviewed a former prison officer (anonymous) who relates the incredible story of deception perpetrated upon the public prior to an execution. He stated that relatives of the condemned usually saw them for the last time, 24 hours before they were killed. In its efforts to keep the identity of the executioner secret, a warrant was usually issued for the arrest of Reeves, under a pseudonym, 24 hours before an execution. Police would be given the warrant for his arrest.
He’d be escorted down to the Korovou prison, where he’d sign in as a normal prisoner. He’d be escorted to his cell. But while all this is happening, every prisoner would be locked up in their respective cells. No one was to see him, hear his name, hear his voice or even get near him.
On the day of the execution, he’d be marched up to the chamber, where the visiting magistrate, a doctor, preacher, and commissioner of (sic) waiting (sic). He’d do his job of executing the condemned, then he’d be signed out, just like any other normal prisoner. It was all done to keep his identity secret.
The prison officer concludes: I remember seeing him shake his head a couple of times after executions. I guess it did get to him. It sort of affected him. Even the money he got for the job was considered dirty money. He was the only person who knew where to pick it up from. It was never paid directly to him.
Reeves was paid 75 pounds per execution.
I have written a play about William Reeves, though who knows if it will ever be staged. I remember him walking along the road in the area of Uduya Point, wearing his little pork pie hat, a small, skinny man who looked as if he could not hurt a fly. To me his story is horrific – a ghastly example of man’s inhumanity to man. It is a story of deceit and deception perpetrated upon an innocent man by an unjust and inhumane administration.
What sort of charade would our government impose were it to re-instate the death penalty? Who would wish to go along with it in this day of smart phones and social media when it would be practically impossible to keep an executioner’s identity secret? And more importantly we have to ask:
Who would want the job, knowing the mental anguish it causes to both condemned and executioner?
Gift of love TAHIR ALI HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND THE expensive gift exchange between loving couples becomes too expensive when sometimes they don’t last long. Valentine’s Day is every day, so together we build a life of love through heart to heart without expensive gifts. Let’s go for prayers and blessings, the cheapest way. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Admired country RAJEND NAIDU SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA CAN Rakesh Chand Sharma (FT 10/2) tell us where in my letter he discovered China was my “most admired country”? I guess that is just another one of his hallucinatory claims.
Black Friday DINESH KUMAR BA CATALOGUES from business houses are already popping up across social media in eager anticipation of this weekend’s Black Friday sale. Shoppers would do well to keep a firm grip on their budgets and resist the noble sport of impulsive spending disguised as “saving money”. It will, of course, be fascinating to see which business crowns Musa as its official sales mascot for the occasion. After all, nothing says fiscal responsibility quite like a trolley full of “discounted necessities”.
Mobile service WISE MUAVONO BALAWA, LAUTOKA WITH the constant system upgrade of our mobile phone service providers, one would think that voice and data connectivity improves. But it persists and seems to worsen. Dou bau oca!
Mobile service WISE MUAVONO BALAWA, LAUTOKA WITH the constant system upgrade of our mobile phone service providers, one would think that voice and data connectivity improves. But it persists and seems to worsen. Dou bau oca!
Fiji soccer A SHARIFF SHAH SAVUSAVU NO room for errors as Bula FC hunts for goals. I laughed when I read this. Error #1. No club games in districts, no player base, no future; Error # 2. No club games, weak district teams and weak national teams; Error # 3. No club games, bring in overseas imports just to score goals; and Error # 4. When the imports go away, then complain about hunting for goals and then rely on some miracles from locals. Should I say more on our errors vs achievements? Fiji FA, you guys have lost it big time. See where rugby was some 30 years ago. And where you will be in the next 20!
To resign or not RAJEND NAIDU SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA IT is good that within the space of a few days PM Rabuka considered resigning but decided not to. The people of Fiji are blessed to have a leader solely dedicated to serving their welfare and best interest. I am sure the mob in NFP, partners in Rabuka’s government, will agree.
Champion vs champion SURESH CHAND NADI THE champion versus champion event kicked off in 1992. That year, the teams battling it out were Ba and Labasa, with Labasa ultimately being crowned the champion. During that period, both Ba and Labasa were the powerhouses of domestic football. From 1993 to 2006, Ba dominated the CVC title, winning it an incredible thirteen consecutive times, a record that still stands today. Besides Labasa and Ba, other districts that have claimed the cup include Lautoka, Nadi, Rewa, and Suva. It’s interesting to note that Nadroga and Tavua, despite participating, have yet to secure a win. I believe that with dedication and perseverance, they will eventually achieve success. Currently, the CVC is in progress, and Rewa celebrated a win in the first leg last week. The second leg is set to take place in Labasa this weekend. The first leg was quite the thrilling match. The competition remains open, and any team could take the victory. The return leg is expected to be just as exciting since the winner is still undecided. I wish both teams the best of luck.
A crucial encounter FLOYD ROBINSON MICRONESIA THE Swire Shipping Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika clash is a crucial encounter, as both teams feature exciting talent, consisting of players who are both eager to start the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season on a strong note and impress national selectors who have their eyes on the 2027 Rugby World Cup. On one hand, Moana Pasifika has an upper hand, having enjoyed an excellent 2025 campaign and will be looking to build on that momentum this year. Our Drua side, on the other hand, had a disappointing 2025 season and are more than determined to turn things around by starting off with a convincing performance. It will be interesting to observe the impact of experienced players such as Virimi Vakatawa, and Manasa Mataele. Will they be the missing link to our backline, bring on board composure under pressure and leadership on attack. Fans also look forward to performances of other newcomers such as Issak Fines-Leleiwasa. Whichever way the match goes, I am sure our rugby fans will be glued to the television screen and kava bowl.
Some understanding RAKESH CHAND SHARMA NADI JAN Nissar has to understand that living in a multiracial, multireligious and multicultural country has its own (unsaid) duties and responsibilities. Before making degrading statements, we look at sensitivities involved amongst our communities. We don’t want to abuse our newly found freedom of expression. So should Jan Nissar for labelling us Fijians as ‘grog dopeys’. Unlike Jan Nissar, I am not a thick-minded person. As a school teacher, I am trained to exercise caution and restraint. But if Jan Nissar continues to demean and humiliate Fijians, I will take him to the brink or verge of reasonable dialogue. Bahut fokatia baat – aaye JN.
Mammoth journey RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU I THANK The Fiji Times team for highlighting the plight of the students from Natawa and Navunitawa settlement as they crossed rivers and hills to attend Ratu Nalewavada Public School in the Nausori Highlands. I salute the dedicated teachers who went out of their way, virtually risking their lives to ensure that the children returned home safely. The social media post attracted a good number of viewers who saw firsthand the risk taken by the students and teachers and the challenges faced due to heavy rainfall. To the students and teachers, who braved the ordeal, you’ll go a long way. The struggles that you are taking will pave the way for success. At the same time, I plead with relevant authorities to assist these individuals. To The Fiji Times team, continue doing what you do best!
