Deaths Of Islands People

Mr. R. C. Kerkham rtr. Richard Charles Kerkham, retary and a director of Burns Ip (SS) Co. Ltd. died at Suva January 17 after a short illness the age of 70. He had been with ■ns Philp for 55 years, le started his career with the nd trading corporation at the age 15 at Sydney, and three years later was transferred to Levuka. Except brief spells of service in ghbouring island territories and vacation leave, he remained in from then on.

At. Kerkham, a man with a momenal memory about Levuka it was 40 and 50 years ago, had wealth of stories about the old ital. Although always a busy q, he would take time off to chat friends about life there during 1 immediately after the First rid War. n 1923 he managed the Burns ip organisation in the Solomons a short period, and in 1928 he led at Suva with the head office his company. He was always a n sportsman, and as a younger n took an active part in cricket 1 tennis at Levuka. „ater he turned his attention to vis, and he was a member of Suva Bowling Club. Walking i a favourite recreation. It was hing unusual on a fine Saturday ;rnoon or Sunday to see him ding about Suva, dressed in ucal fashion, stick in hand, ays ready to stop for a chat with 'riend. n 1915 Mr. Kerkham married is Madeline Edwards at Levuka. wife, four sons and two ighters survive him.

Dr. T. T. Romans fhe death occurred in Auckland, December 21, of Dr. T. T. mans. Chief Medical Officer of Cook Islands, Dr. Romans, who was only 43, ame ill with a form of hepatitis en on leave in New Zealand early 1962. He returned to Rarotonga, ere for a time his health seemed be improving, but towards the I of November his condition rsened and on December 6 the fZAF flew him to Auckland. )r. Romans qualified in England 1942, served with the British Army ing World War 11, and went to w Zealand a few years after the

war. He was employed at Dannevirke Public Hospital before being appointed CMO to the Cook Islands in 1953.

During his 9\ years as CMO, Dr.

Romans was highly respected for his devotion to his work. He was un failingly courteous and helpful.

Under his direction the medical ser vices were greatly improved the establishment of child welfare clinics and the reduction of infant mortality being largely due to his efforts. He was also a keen advocate of a modern hospital in Rarotonga and was responsible for much of the pre liminary planning for one.

Dr. Romans left a widow, two sons and one daughter.

Mr. J. P. Bayly The death occurred on January 12, in the Memorial Hospital in Suva, of the well-known pastoralist and Fiji’s biggest land-owner, Mr. John Percy Bayly. He was born in Fiji 81 years ago, and he lived there all his life, and gave the Colony much public service. He had been in failing health for some time, but sought hospital care only a few days before his death. He was unmarried, and his relations live in New Zealand. He left the bulk of his fortune to the Bayly Trust, for the benefit of charitable and cultural organisations in Fiji. A report of Mr. Bayly’s work appears on page 48 of this issue.

Mr. Phineas Young Mr. Phineas Young, a leading Apia sportsman, died in hospital at Pago Pago recently en route to New Zea land after an operation. He was a former middleweight boxing cham pion of Samoa, and was a leading boxing coach and referee.

Other sports which claimed his in terest were rugby and tennis. He was a keen rugby official and coach, a hard-working player and official of the Apia Tennis Club, and a founda tion member and executive officer of the Western Samoa Lawn Tennis Association.

Mr. Young, who was 39, is sur vived by his widow, Clara, and three children, Max, Rene and Albion.

Mr. Rupert Vivian Hosking

The death occurred in Rarotonga recently of Mr. Rupert Vivian Hosking, a well known Cook Islands resident for more than 50 years.

Mr. Hosking, who was 84, was born at Marsterton, New Zealand.

He was educated at the Wanganui Collegiate School and then studied medicine at Edinburgh University.

After serving with the Imperial Forces in the Boer War and being wounded at the siege of Mafeking, he returned to New Zealand and obtained a Diploma of Agricultural Science at Lincoln College. He then obtained the degree of Doctor of Dentistry at the University of Philadelphia and returned to Master ton to practise. Mr. Hosking went to Rarotonga in 1909 and settled at Titikaveka.

He is survived by 11 children, 54 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Mr. Amando Stowers The death occurred at Apia Hospital recently of Mr. Amando Stowers, one of the oldest and best known identities of Western Samoa.

Mr. Stowers, who was 76, was a European member of the Legislative Assembly from 1941 until his retire ment in 1950. He was a strong supporter of the Labour movement and one of the founders of the Aleisa settlement.

Mr. Stowers, who was predeceased by his wife, left 15 children —11 sons and three daughters—and 40 grand children. Three of his sons and one daughter live in Samoa; the rest live in New Zealand.

Mr. Donald Fullerton Wooley Mr. Donald Fullerton Wooley, who was Powerhouse Superintendent for the Suva City Council for many years, died on January 15. He was 65. Mr. Wooley had retired only a fortnight earlier after 41 years and seven months with the council.

Mr. Wooley was a son of the late Captain Wooley, who was Harbour Master at Suva 40 years ago. After serving his apprenticeship as an engineer with the Colonial Sugar Refining Co., Mr. Wooley went to sea. He served overseas in World War I. In recent years, he was an active member of the Suva Bowling Club.

Mr. Wooley is survived by his widow, a son and a daughter.

Mr. Colin Edward Farnham Mr. Colin Edward Farnham, a resident of New Guinea for more than 20 years, died in Brisbane re cently aged 56. Mr. Farnham joined the staff of Guinea Airways at Lae in 1929 and worked there for 11 years.

After the war he worked with Man dated Airlines, Guinea Air Traders and Qantas. From 1950 to 1961 he was with the Commonwealth Depart ment of Works.