Papuan Woman

Death of Well-Known Papuan Woman Mrs. R. A. M. Vieusseux

From Our Own Correspondent

Port Moresby, Oct. 2

ON September 28, the death occurred in Port Moresby of the well-known resident Mrs. R. A. M. Vieusseux, one of the most remarkable personalities that Papua has known.

Mrs. Vieusseux had been in ill-health for many months, and her condition be came serious: but nevertheless the news of her death came as a great shock to her relatives and many friends through out the Territory.

She was born in Gympie, Queensland, and arrived in Papua in 1923, when as Mrs. Field, she and her husband, Mr. R.

A. Field, undertook the management of the “Courier” Office and edited the “Papuan Courier”. Mr. Field had form erly owned the “Proserpine Observer”, of which he was also editor, and it was in Proserpine that Mrs. Vieusseux gained ex perience in newspaper work. She acted here as correspondent for various south ern newspapers until a few weeks before her death.

On the death of Mr. Field, Mrs. Field carried on bravely, and engaged in many enterprises. After her marriage with Mr.

Vieusseux, and his subsequent ill-health, she successfully undertook and carried on a transport and garage business, which included the superintendence of loading and discharging all steamers calling at Port Moresby. At all times and in all weathers, travellers would see this staunch lit.tle figure on the wharf, effi ciently carrying on her work, which she continued to the end.

The funeral, which took place at the Konedobu cemetery, was conducted by the Rev. D. E. Ure. following a service at the Ela Protestant Church, and was attended by nearly every member of the community including the acting Admini strator (Hon. H. W. Champion) and the Official Secretary (Hon. H. L. Murray).

Mrs. Vieusseux was esteemed for her great kindness and cheerful disposition, and her great courage and energy. The extent of her services to those in trouble or needing assistance will never be known. She leaves two children, a son and daughter, by her first marriage; Mr.

R. Field, who recently enlisted with the defence forces in Australia, and Mrs.

Perichon, now residing with her husband at Rabaul, T.N.G.

The death occurred recently of Mr. A.

V. Bellamy, one of the well-known planters in New Guinea. He developed pneumonia, and died while being taken by his schooner from Patlangat Plan tation to the Kavieng Hosoital. He had been many years in the Territory, some times trading on his own account, and more latterly acting as manager of coco nut plantations. He took over the man agement of Mr. H. Adam’s Patlangat plantation a few months ago.