Death of Sergeant-Major Simoi

A Loyal Papuan

T'HE death occurred at Daru on Feb February 28 of Sergeant-Major Simoi, of the Armed Native Constabulary, from pneumonia.

Sergeant-Major Si moi was a noted and distinguished mem ber of the constabu lary. He was the only native to reach the rank of warrant officer in the service.

He joined the police in 1899 and set a wonderful example of courage, loyalty and endurance to all Pa puans in the force.

He made many lengthy and danger ous patrols in the early days of the Possession, under white officers, and was held in great es teem by them all.

One of his chief acts of courage and loyalty was when, in 1905, he helped to save the Administra tor (Capt. F. R. Bar ton) and Sir Hubert Murray (then Chief

Justice Murray) from drowning. He res cued them from the Vailala bar, after their whaleboat had capsized in the break ers, three miles from the shore.

Sergeant-Major Simoi was a native of Kiwai, a large island lying in the estuary of the Fly River.

Sergeant-Major Simoi