Islands People
pp. 125-127 · Read in the full issue
Deaths of Islands People
Mr. Tangata Nekeare Mr Tangata Nekeare died suddenly at his home in Tupapa, Rarotonga on November 5. He was 32. He was highly successful as a police officer and earned the respect of thousands of Cook Islanders for his fairness, impartiality and dedication to the people.
His home island was Mitiaro and he joined the Police Force as a cadet in January, 1956. In 1960, he
attended the Police Recruits Course at Trentham, near Wellington, New Zealand, the first Cook Islander to do so. In 1960 he passed the Detectives Qualification course and showed great aptitude for this work.
In 1967, at the age of 27, he became the Superintendent of the Cook Islands Police Force and held that position until he resigned last January to enter politics. He joined the Democratic Party which opposes the ruling Cook Islands Party and is led by Dr Tom Davis.
His funeral was attended by an estimated 2,000 people among whom were the Premier of the Cook Islands, Mr A. R. Henry, cabinet ministers, leading businessmen and other notables. He was buried in the Catholic cemetery and leaves a widow and five children.
Continued on p 125
Mr Tangata Nekeare.
Mr Silas Sitai Mr Silas Sitai, MBE, BEM, died of a heart attack on October 31, aged 52. For only just over a year he had been chairman of the BSIP Governing Council’s public meetings, the first Solomon Islander to fill the post. A member of the Solomons public service from 1939, Mr Sitai had a distinguished war record with the BSI Defence Force, and had been an administrative officer until his retirement in July, 1972.
He was a member of several boards and committees, on which he was valued by his colleagues for a wide knowledge and deep understanding of the Solomons people. He served as a magistrate, earning respect and admiration for his sense of justice.
At the same time he was renowned for a warm sense of humour.
The funeral at Honiara’s St Barnabas Cathedral was attended by the High Commissioner Sir Michael Gass and more than 1,000 mourners.
Govco members Peter Salaka, George Pugeva and Mariano Kelesi were among the pallbearers.
Afamasaga Oliva Maiava Afamasaga Oliva Maiava died suddenly in Apia on October 12, aged 31. He was a graduate of Massey University and was acting Senior Agricultural Officer with the Western Samoa Department of Agriculture at the time of his death.
Oliva was a trustee of the Apia Protestant Church, keenly involved in youth work, and was a sportsman of note.
Mr Geoffrey Nevill Mr Geoffrey Nevill, OBE, died on October 22 at the age of 72.
He was resident Commissioner for the Chatham Islands from 1950 to 1952, and Resident Commissioner for the Cook Islands from 1952 to 1961. He was awarded the OBE for services in the Cook Islands.
Miss Taha Marsters The death of Miss Taha Marsters, better known as Anna Joe Marsters, occurred in late October on board MV Manuvai, which was en route to New Zealand. As the vessel was only a day out from Rarotonga, she returned to port and an inquest was held to determine the cause of death.
It is believed that Miss Marsters suffered a fatal attack of asthma, and after the inquest was held, the burial took place at the Roman Catholic cemetery at Panama.
Mr Eki Vaki Mr Eki Vaki, who resigned from the PNG teaching service last year to contest the elections for the House of Assembly, has died. He taught in schools in eight districts over a period of 22 years, finally being a primary school headmaster in the Morobe District, in which area he nominated for parliament. He was unsuccessful and decided to work in private enterprise.