Deaths Of Islands People

Mr. James (“Shamus”) Ryan

The death occurred in the Rabaul Hospital on February 19, of Mr.

James Ryan, more popularly known as “Shamus” Ryan. He was only 41.

Mr. Ryan had been in Rabaul with the Public Works Department for about 12 months. Formerly he was with APC in Papua and was at one time a member of the crew of the ill-fated Elsie Bee which disappeared last year in the Gulf of Papua.

C. R. Muscutt

News was recently received in Brisbane of the death at Toft, Lincolnshire, UK, of Charles Robert Muscutt, a one-time magistrate of Papua.

He resigned in the 20’s and settled in the UK but he is well remembered by Papuan old-timers. He was stationed at Baniara for some time, but is best remembered for his ex ploratory patrols back of Kerema, in the Gulf Country, at a time when the Kukukukus there were reported to be “as wild as hawks.’’

He drew very well and his studies of heads, weapons and other native artifacts are preserved in old Papuan annual reports.

Mr. John C. Suckling

Well known as an Agricultural Officer in Fiji from 1938 to 1948, Mr.

John C. Suckling died recently at Carnarvon, Western Australia, as the result of an accident.

The late Mr. Suckling’s parents were also well known Fiji residents, his father as a Methodist Minister stationed at Nadroga.

High Chief Letuli

High Chief Letuli, 57, Samoan Governor of the Western District of Tutuila Island died on January 22.

He was district governor for eight years, a former member of the Legis

lature and also a member of the Council of Paramount Chiefs. He is survived by his wife Tafea, four daughters, Usaali’i, Manino, Legalo and Fa’amelea, three sons, Liligo, Toloa (now in the Armed Forces) and So’onoaso, as well as numerous grandchildren.

Mrs. Adele King

The death occurred in the United States in January, of Mrs. Adele King, sister of Mr. Oscar Nordman, of Papeete.

Mrs. King was the grand daughter of Isaac Thompson, an* American, who was one of the picturesque characters of the American whaling days in the Pacific. He later married a Poly nesia! woman of high birth and lived at Paea, Tahiti. A daughter of this marriage, Julia, married Mr.

Axel Nordman. t The introduction of the giant Gurami fish into ponds in the Mount Hagen area, NG Western Highlands, is expected to be recommended by the fisheries officer of the South Pacific Commission. Mr. H. Van Pel, who was visiting the Territory in February. Mr. Van Pel is “very satisfied’’ with the progress of the Administration and native Tilapia ponds.