Deaths

of Islands People

Whatever else anyone may say of Sir Maurice, nobody could ever accuse him of being dull. His interests covered almost the whole spectrum of life in Fiji, but he had some special enthusiasms. The Lepers Trust Board was one. His work on the Board of Visitors of the Colonial War Memorial Hospital was another. He brought a great fund of wisdom and ex perience to two posts he held for many years the presidency of the Fiji Rugby Union and of the association which has become the Fiji Returned Solders and ex- Servicemen’s Association.

Both of these brought him international contacts, and a broader field of respect for his judgment. The row of medals on his coffin speaks eloquently of his war record and of the recognition accorded to him for his overall service to Fiji.

It was typical of him that to qualify for entry into the RAF he did a little pruning of his age. It was also typical of him that he nearly missed being accepted because he went for his first medical examination almost straight from an all-night wedding reception. But it was again typical of him that having been sent away and told to try again he prepared himself for the second medical examination by a week of rigid self-discipline, because he clearly saw that this was the only way he could achieve the goal on which he had set his heart.

Maurice achieved a good many goals in

Sir Maurice as Mr Speaker.—Photo: Rob Wright.

his life and he leaves behind him a record of achievement in a variety of fields of which any man could well be proud.

Memories of this record are among the things that help to soften the loss which brings our sympathy to Lady Scott and to John and Owen.

It is good to know that in almost the last days of his life he was able to welcome the news of the birth in Auckland of a grand son, so that the continuity of the name is assured for another generation. It is John’s hope that it means also, in the fullness of time, a continuity of the contribution which Maurice gave to this nation, which he so loved and which he served so well.

Dr G. Loison Well known all over the Islands, Dr Guy Loison, Health Programme Director for the South Pacific Commission, died in Paris in late June at the age of 62.

Born in France, Dr Loison, who studied medicine in France and the United States, entered the French colonial service in 1939, serving in French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Vietnam, Morocco and the French Congo. He joined the SPC as a research officer in 1952, left after four years and returned to its service as Health Programme Director in 1962, a position he occupied at the time of his death. He was the author of several works on health problems in the Islands.

Mrs M. Stock Mrs Myffie Stock, who was a schoolteacher at Lae in the 19605, died recently at Lae. She and her husband, Noel, who worked for TAA, and daughter Bronwen went to Lae in 1960 from Brisbane and returned there in 1966. A few years ago Noel was seconded to Air Niugini, and he and his wife had lived in PNG ever since.

Pastor G. Dan Pastor Gershom Dan, well known in Presbyterian Church circles in the New Hebrides, died recently, aged 40. He serv ed as a pastor on Ambrym and Malekula.

In 1964 he became the first New Hebri dean teacher at Tangoa Bible College.

Mr H. T. Nicholson Mr Henry Thomas Nicholson, who was t)orn on Norfolk Island, died recently in Auckland, aged 60. He served with the MF in World War 11. He leaves a widow and two sons.

Mr V. Storck Mr Vincent Storck, a member of the third generation of an old Fiji family which had its origins in Germany, died in June, aged 62. He worked for the Emperor Gold Mining Co Ltd and W.R. Carpenter before going into the tourist industry. He ;et up the Southern Cross Hotel, Suva, and in 1956 established Storck Cruises.