Deaths Of Islands People

Mr. R. A. Perry

The death occurred in Suva, on ligust 25, of Mr. R. A. (Rap) hry, a well-known identity who gnt to Fiji in 1906, to join Mr. rchie Glen, of Labasa, He later worked for Henry Marks Co,, and when this firm came ider the control of Morris Hed rom Ltd. Mr. Perry continued in ,e service of that firm until he tired, due to ill-health, in 1942.

He and his wife have lived at gatoka for the last nine years.

Mr. J. J. Barker

The death occurred near Sydney, l August 4, of Mr. John James irker, aged 82.

Mr. Barker was born in NZ and ait to Fiji in the early 80’s with s parents, where, as an engineer, i joined the Fiji Sugar Company, iter, at a time when there were i roads around Viti Levu, he oneered several steamship ser- C6S.

At one time he had many land id business interests in the colony, g was also a noted athlete. For a imber of years he has been living Australia. He is survived by two ns. His brother is Sir Alport irker, of Suva, and two sisters re on Norfolk Island.

Mr. F. H. Harvey

The death has occurred of Mr.

Francis Hilary Harvey, a well known planter, of Epi Island, New Hebrides. Mr. Harvey’s generosity, and his popularity among the younger residents of the Condo minium, were legend. News of his death was received with regret by many friends.

Mr. F. D. Ross

The death occurred in Brisbane on August 8 of the well-known and highly respected ex-manager of the BNG Co.’s Obu coconut plantation in the rich Hisiu district, not very far west of Pt. Moresby.

“Doug” Ross was one of three brothers in Papua over 30 years ago.

Eric died years ago, and the other brother, Alister, more recently, in England, where he lived after his retirement from the position of Government Storekeeper.

“Doug”, who was 66, had only been in Brisbane six weeks when he became ill —the cause of death was asthma. He was quite fit when he left the plantation to retire, was playing his games of tennis as well as ever. He is survived by a widow and two children —son Sutherland is with the Department of Civil Aviation in Brisbane, and daughter

Elsie is the wife of the well-known Papuan official, Mr. Ivan Champion.

His grand-daughter, Ivane Cham pion, now only 21, recently, 14 days after Lamington blew its top, went in there on Infant Welfare work.

He left his job in Papua to serve in World War I, and returned in 1919. All old Papuans will mourn the passing of cheery “Doug” Ross, deservedly popular with everyone.—

Shc.

Mr. “Ken” Frank

Pt. Moresby, Sept. 1.

PORT Moresby residents were saddened on August 22 to learn of the death of “Ken” Frank, popular OTC officer for Papua and New Guinea.

With his wife, Mi’s. Molly Frank, he left Port Moresby for long over due recreation leave on August 20, and stopped over at Townsville on the first stage of what was to have been a holiday tour of Australia.

Next day they drove to Charters Towers; and, when returning at night, with Ken at the wheel, the car overturned. He died almost im mediately from head injuries, and his stepdaughter, Miss Pam Bing ham was severely injured. Mrs.

Frank escaped with shock and bruises.

Mr. Frank was 46 and had been in the Territory since 1931, first with Amalgamated Wireless Limited,

and then with OTC. Throughout the war he remained in the Islands as a civilian working with the Allied Forces. His remarkable ability as a radio engineer had long been known to Territories folk, and the military forces also paid tribute to his outstanding record.

“Ken” is a real loss to the Islands, and his death is mourned by a wide circle of friends.

Mr. A M Philipp

. old anc * respected resident of Apia, Mr. A. M. Philipp, died on August 3 after a short ill ness, aged 80. He came first to Samoa in the beginning of the century. His son is Sub-Inspector A. Philipp, of the Samoan Constab ulary, who was away on leave in New Zealand when his father died.

Mr. Albert Stehlin

Mr. Albert Stehlin, one of tf few European settlers born of Em pean parents in Samoa, died August 10, at his home at Loto* Apia. He was one of the piono cocoa planters of Samoa and w renowned for his knowledge ax for having, through sheer grit aj hard work, succeeded in bringii his cocoa plantation to a high c gree of prosperity.

Mr. W. G. Higgs

The death occurred on August 1 at his home in Deewhy, Sydney, Mr. William Gordon Higgs, who Wv well known throughout the Som Pacific as an executive in the Cat penter group of companies. He m 59 and he had been in ill-heali for some time.

Mr. Higgs was born in Victor!* and he was a railway official West Australia before he served World War I. He joined W Carpenter & Co. Ltd. over 20 yeaE ago, and he served the organisatioj in Solomons. New Guinea, Fiji an the United States. His wife died 1949. They had one son—M Stanley Higgs, a Sydney business man.

Captain Sammy Burns

THE Brisbane Courier of Augu 11 records the death of Ads Anderson Bums (writes Cax tain W. L. Kennedy, of Sydney The name conveys little nowadas but he was generally known Captain Burns, or Sammy Burr He was one of the best known au most colourful figures in the Pao. fic a few decades back, and I as sure that if there are any old-time, still on deck in New Guinea, tf Hebrides or Solomons, they will n gret to hear of his passing.

I first met Sammy over 50 yes back. I was then a young seanui in the recruiting trade from tb Solomons and New Hebrides Queensland. He was then Mast; of the Ivanhoe, a smart schooner; and, afterwards, several other flyers engaged in tb trade. He was also Mate wir “Piggy” Peam in the famous bas quentine Lochiel. Sammy wi Master of the Government steamn Merrie England, and lost her o Port Moresby.

Afterwards, he joined up with tlj AUSN Company, and was MastJ; and Mate with that Company. Z was around the 90 mark when 3 made his last crossing; and up a few years back he was deliveriri small craft to the Islands for til: office.

With the death of Captain Burn goes, I think, the last of his ty*r and the Pacific will be the poom for his passing. Stories which coin be told about him, and also “Pigg;§ Pearn (long since deceased) are iii numerable, but space does not peo< mit —so, Vale, Sammy!

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