Deaths
pp. 81-82 · Read in the full issue
of Islands People
Lafala Vave Faailua
Mataafa Turepu
At Ngatangiia, Cook Islands, on June 29, aged 73.
Descended from chiefly fam ilies in Takitumu, Mama Pu, as she was fondly known in Ngatangiia, was a most prominent figure in the com munity.
In her youth a teacher, singer, dancer and talented teller of tales. Mama Pu raised
a large family and became extremely active in the Child Welfare Association, and in the leading committees of the Girl Guides.
A. P. Short notes in an obitu ary in Cook Islands News that she was presented with the Long Service Badge of the Child Welfare Association for her many years of devotion to duty.
The writer adds: There was no women’s organisation in Ngatangiia in which she did not participate, and as a foundation member of the Ngatangiia Country Women’s Institute, she was included in groups which toured Tahiti in 1973, and New Zealand in 1975 . .. ‘Mama Pu is survived by her many children both here and in New Zealand, and by a tribe of grandchildren and great grand children.’
Christopher Normoyle
In Australia on August 7, aged 73. Chris Normoyle holds a special place in the history of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary. Although it is 16 years since his retirement as commissioner of police in PNG
he is remembered as the big man, physically and profession ally, who headed the police for a longer period of time than any other holder of the office, and into a period of rapid social and political change.
Chris Normoyle was born in Inverell in the Australian state of New South Wales and spent the first three years of his career as a young policeman with the NSW police. He joined the New Guinea police in 1932 during the years in which Aus tralia maintained separate ad ministrations in New Guinea and Papua. The two territories came under a joint military administration when World War II came to the Pacific 10 years later, and the then Inspec tor Normoyle found himself as an Australian army lieutenant colonel commanding the two police forces which helped play a Pacific defence role. He was mentioned in despatches for his wartime leadership.
He held a number of senior police positions after the war and became PNG police com missioner in 1954, retiring 11 years later. He held the Queen’s Police Medal and the award of
Member of the Order of the British Empire.
Since his retirement he had lived at Bowral, south of Syd ney, where his funeral was held on August 1 1.
Wilfred Randall At Norfolk Island Hospital on July 12, aged 68.
One of Norfolk Island’s most prominent community leaders, Mr Randall, in addition to holding a host of other public offices, was president of the Norfolk Island Advisory Coun cil from 1956 t 01960. He was awarded the OBE in 1971 for services to the community.
He was one of twin sons of Albert and Jane Randall, and lived all his life on the island, going to school and taking up farming afterwards. During World War 11, he was a mem ber of the Norfolk Island Infan try Detachment.
The Norfolk Islander said in an obituary tribute; ‘He was a man of great vision and fore sight. His influence on the community has been such that he could be likened to an Elder Statesman of the highest integ rity . . .’
Stanley S. Carpenter
At Arlington Hospital, Virginia, USA, on June 20, aged 64.
Mr Carpenter was well known to many people in Micro nesia from his period of service as deputy assistant secretaiy of territorial affairs in the Depart ment of the Interior, and also as director of the Office of Terri torial Affairs.
Mehau George
At Manihiki, Cook Islands, on May 19, aged 88.
A highly respected figure on Manihiki, Mehau George was a staunch member of the Cook Islands Christian Church on Manihiki until his death.
In his early years, Mr George worked for the Public Works Department on Rarotonga, and rose to become chief carpenter before he retired.
He returned to Manihiki in 1950, and for the next decade excelled at skindiving for pearls. He was one of Manihiki’s best divers in the frequent competitions against Penrhyn divers.
Among those expressing their condolences to Mr George’s family and friends on Manihiki were his nephew Dr George Koteka in Rarotonga, and Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for the Northern Group Dr Pupuke Robati.
Pita Seruvatu At Lololo, Fiji, on July 12, aged 50.
A senior manager of the Fiji Pine Commission, Pita Seruvatu was promoted to special duties officer, plan tations, in 1979 after being the commission’s Lololo station manager for a number of years.
Originally from Namosi, Mr Seruvatu was attached to the FPC headquarters in Lautoka] at the time of his death.
Peter Matheson Cullen At Girne (Kyrenia), Cyprus, in July, aged 65.
Peter Cullen was a former director of the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Before coming to Fiji, he had been closely associ ated with the introduction of radio and television to the former mandated territory of Palestine, and the colonies of • Southern Rhodesia and Malaya.