Deaths

of Islands People

Ratu Tiale

Wimbledon Thomas

Vuiyasawa

In Suva in March, aged 85. A high chief of Lau and Bau, Ratu Tiale was the brother of the late Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna and the second son of Ratu Jone Madraiwiwi and Adi Litiana

Maopa. He was also an uncle of the Tui Nayau, Fiji’s Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, and a close relative of the Vunivalu of Bau, Fiji’s Governor-General Ratu Sir George Cakobau. Ratu Tiale was educated at the Levuka Public School and Wesley Col lege, Melbourne. He spent almost all his life in government service. He was appointed Native Assistant Com missioner, Lomaiviti, in 1933, RokoTui Ra in 1937, RokoTui Ba in 1945, and Roko Tui Cakaudrove in 1947. He has been described as a most efficient administrator of the ‘old school’, and a great believer in discipline. In accordance with Fijian tradition and proto

col, the funeral gathering, at tended by hundreds of mourners from all over the country, was held at Veiuto, chiefly residence of Ratu Mara.

A memorial service was later held at Suva’s Centenary Church.

Maramatepoave

Te-Ika-Moe-Ava

Nicholas

In Auckland in January, aged 67. After World War II service with the Royal New Zealand Air Force, he completed train ing, which had been interrupted by the war, with the NZ Lands and Survey Department and returned to his native Cook Islands to work as a surveyor.

He worked in Rarotonga and

Ratu Tiale’s funeral in Suva. - Anne Livingston picture

the outer islands on all types of survey work, including the cit rus replanting scheme, housing development, water works, air port, etc. He represented the Cook Islands at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 as a member of the New Zealand Government contin gent. He was a prominent figure in many sports, performing as a team mate of the late Albert Henry, former Cook Islands premier, in athletics and rugby for the old Avatiu Club in 1936-37. He was also a keen golfer.

Archbishop Herman

Topaivu

Of a heart attack at Vunapope, New Britain, Papua New Guinea, in February, aged 69.

As Roman Catholic Archbishop of Port Moresby, he was the

first Papua New Guinean to achieve such rank in the church. A member of the Tolai people, he graduated from mission schools to become a teacher. He began his theologi cal studies at Vunapope before the Pacific War during which he carried on his studies pri vately, and at considerable risk.

With four other Papua New Guineans he made history in late 1953 and early 1954 when they became the first Catholic priests who had done all their study in the then Territory.

Topaivu spent most of his life in parish work and is remembered for his personal piety, prudence and zeal. He became Arch bishop of Port Moresby in January 1976. Among the honours he received was that of Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG), recommended for him by the PNG Government.

William Sharpe-Dunn.

Alfred Henry

Marlow

In Suva in February, aged 95. A colourful Suva businessman and a pioneer of Fiji aviation Mr Marlow was associated with the Fiji building industry for most of his life. A number of major structures throughout the country were erected by his firm. In the early 19205, when Fiji aviation was in its infancy, Mr Marlow owned a small Dornier flying boat which he used to visit various parts of the then colony when major roads were practically non-existent.

He was active in business affairs also through the Suva Chamber of Commerce in which he had held the office of president.

Pastor Elisaha

Gorapava

In Honiara in February, aged 50. Pastor Gorapava served the Seventh-day Adventist Church for 30 years in both Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. He represented the church at an SDA general conference session in the United States, and was a member of the Australasian division execu tive committee of SDA churches for five years from 1975.

Chief Romolou

On New Year’s Eve 1980 on Puluwat island, Truk state, Fed

erated States of Micronesia.

Chief Romolou was chief of Puluwat island. FSM President Tosiwo Nakayama was among those sending messages of con dolence to the families of the late chief.

Sister Marie Chiara

In Italy in February aged 47.

Sister Marie served as catechist at Port-Vila’s Ecole Jeanne d’Arc from 1977 to 1979. Dur ing her stay, she made a dynamic contribution to the life of Port-Vila’s Catholic com munity. She was widely ad mired as setting an example of devotion and hard work, es pecially among the young people of the parish.

Louis Boissery

In Noumea in February, aged 77. Born at Bourail, New Caledonia, he was among the first volunteers to join the French Pacific Battalion which fought on the Allied side in the Middle East and elsewhere. He was wounded in the arms and legs at El Alamein. In postwar years he was an active figure in New Caledonian sporting circles, and the popular pro prietor of Noumea’s Cafe de la Mairie.

David O’Connor

In Suva in January, aged 53.

David O’Connor coached the Fiji national hockey team which won the gold medal at the 1979 South Pacific Games in Suva.

As a young man he played rugby for the Suva and Lautoka European representative sides.

He also played hockey for Suva and Lautoka. One of his last duties was to manage the Suva men’s hockey team on its recent tour of Australia.

Ailsa May Sheehan

In Sydney in March Mrs Sheehan lived in Port Moresby from 1954-78. Her husband Gregory was Papua New Guinea’s registrar-general.

Kathleen Snell

On Norfolk Island in February,, aged 78. Mrs Snell was one of the four children of Gerald Allen and his wife Hilda (nee; Buffett). She lived all her life om the island, with an occasional! visit to mainland Australia. She; married Eddie (Narta) Snell ini 1939. They had no children.