New Knight For

Fiji

Birthday Honours List

THE King’s Birthday Honours list, published in June, included the name of Samuel Howard Ellis, MBE, of Suva, Fiji, who has been created a Knight Bachelor.

Sir Samuel Ellis was born in New Zea land in 1889, educated at Auckland Grammar School and Auckland Univer sity, and called to the Bar in New Zea land in 1911 and in Fiji in 1912. He has practised law in the Colony since 1912.

In World War I, he served first, with the Northumberland Fusiliers and later transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, where he won the MBE (.military). For some years he has been a member of the Fiji Executive Council and is now Dir ector of Labour and National Service.

He is widely known for his extremely generous gifts to war funds and fighter plane and bomber funds. Lady Ellis is a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Alex B. Joske, of Suva.

Three other Western Pacific names are included in the Honours List—Mrs. Emily Sprott, who becomes MBE; and G. H.

Kuper and J. R. Land, each of whom receives the British Empire Medal.

Mrs. Sprott is well known in the Solo mons, where she is a member of the Melanesian Mission. She went to the Protectorate in 1916 and has rendered continuous service there since, particu larly in child-welfare and social services.

She remained in the Solomons after the Japanese occupation, and her escape from Sapta Ysabel Island in January last was told in the March “PIM.”

Geoffrey Henry Kuper is a Native Medical Practitioner who remained at his post throughout the Japanese occupation.

He rendered great service by rescuing Allied pilots forced down in combat, and in giving them medical aid. His cour age and resource were an inspiration to natives of the area.

Mr. Land, formerly of the Fiji Service, is Superintendent of Telegraphs and Telephones in Tonga. He is a son of the late Captain Land, of Suva.

Geoffrey Henry Kuper, NMP.