Deaths Of Islands People

The Rev. K. D. Grove

The Rev, K. D. Grove, who served with the Free Wesleyan Church in Tonga from 1947 for a number of years, died in Australia during April.

Mr. Grove was principal of the Siu’ilikutapu Bible School during his term in Tonga.

The Hon. Tutvakano

The Honourable Tu’ivakano, a Tongan High Chief with a dis tinguished record in his country’s service, died at his Nukualofa resi dence on April 9.

Tu’ivakano graduated as Dux of Tonga College in 1886, four years after the college was established by King George Tupou I. He served in various government positions, and in later years was senior tutor and lecturer in music at Tonga College. He was Chief Justice prior to the appointment of the present holder of that position. He was a Privy Councillor * and had been Speaker of parliament.

Tu’ivakano is a title; the late holder’s family name was Kaho.

Following his death it was an nounced from the Palace that the title had been passed on to Siaosi Ngalumoetutulu, better known as

Siaosi Kiu Kaho, elder son of the late holder.

Mr. R. P. Cooper

The death occurred on May 5 at the Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, NSW, of Mr. Reginald Phillip Cooper. He was 55.

Mr. Cooper was for many years a resident of Papua-New Guinea as well as serving there, and in Dar win between 1941-46.

He went to NG in 1933, working at Golden Ridges, Edie Creek and BGD at various times.

Mr. J. G. Miedecke

One of the most popular pioneers of the European community died at Apia Government Hospital on May 14. He was Mr. John George Miedecke, who was 74.

Mr. Miedecke was an Australian, born in Adelaide, in 1883, and was a civil engineer by profession. He went to Western Samoa in 1923 as engineer for the Samoa Crown Estates (now Trust Estates). Later he became engineer-in-charge of the Public Works Department of the Samoan Government. Amongst other projects he built the Magiagi 80 kilowatt hydro plant which is still working satisfactorily.

In 1932 Mr. Miedecke took: the lease of a Crown E;1 plantation at Magia on the coast of Upolu, which in 1942 taken over by the Governmer the construction of Faleolo at In compensation the Crown Es leased to Mr. Miedecke the I cocoa plantation at Siusega am Miedecke, after struggling for ; years became one of the lei cocoa planters of Western Sam He continued to act as ao and consultant in engineering enjoyed a well deserved reputi in this field.

He played an active part in foundation of the Planters’ sociation, was a member of Apia Rifle Club, and of the Ma Lodge. He gave important unselfish service to the Ten and earned the respect and es of all sections of the communf He is survived by his wife, sons in Australia and two daugl the elder of whom is the wij the W. Samoa Financial Secre Mr. L. M. Cook.

Lady Buck

Lady Buck, wife of the I scholar and anthropologist, the Sir Peter Buck (Te Rangi Hi died at Honolulu late in May Lady Buck had been in health since the death of husband who was Curator ol Bernice P. Bishop Museum

olulu at the time of his death ral years ago. It is probable Lady Buck’s body will be ght back to New Zealand, like of her husband.

R. I. E. (“Ickie”) Walker

■. “Ickie” Walker, proprietor of Df the best known boat building repair yards in Papeete, and a ng member of the British nunity in French Polynesia there in April after a lengthy ;s. . Walker figured prominently yents in Tahiti prior to the lation there declaring for ral de Gaulle during the war. •

Atu Sir Lala Sukuna

3 death occurred at sea, on a O. liner, between Australia and abo, on May 30, of Ratu Sir Sukuna, KCMG, KBE, the distinguished Fijian of the Century. (See page 61).

Mr. Philip Rice

' of Fiji’s leading lawyers, Mr. ) Rice, collapsed and died very nly in Suva on May 29, aged was a New Zealander, and iducated at the University of and. He practised for some in New Zealand, and then 34 transferred to Fiji where, • and Lautoka, he built up a lerable practice.

Jr the death of Sir Henry Scott, Mr. Rice entered into jrship with Mr. H. Maurice m Suva, and from 1956 the iw firm was called William and Company and Rice. It happy combination. In 1957, Ice’s son, Terence, joined the Rice was held in high regard, as a citizen and as a prac !r - Those who had occasion ! services greatly admired lahty. His place in the Fiji profession will be hard to fill Rice is survived by his wife a, Terence, and his daughter!

Nona Hull, a resident of de.

3Ter Mary Laurent

r Mary Laurent died at Mission, Solomon Islands on 16 after 47 years of Mission n the Protectorate, hng there in 1911 she was ppointed to Visale Mission on icanal for 16 years and then Buma Mission, Malaita, for rs. twice did Sister Laurent the Protectorate. Firstly in >r a six month’s holiday in r ; and secondly during the hen she was evacuated to a. the war Sister Laurent con her teaching with the Buma i where she remained until ath.