DEATHS of Islands People

Gilbert (Metta) Quintal In Sydney in August, aged 74.

An active church member, Metta Quintal will be remem bered for his fine singing voice at services in the Uniting Church.

He worked for some time for the Pacific Cable and Wireless Board on Norfolk Island, deliv ering cables by horseback. He was a keen sportsman and gar dener, despite war injuries in curred in World War 2 during which he spent three years in Changi Jail.

Narayan Nair Panikar In Suva on September 26 aged 57.

A former senior superinten dent and head of the Special Branch of the police force, Mr Panikar had retired from the

force in July after 36 years ser vice. He had served in all branches of the force and was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal, Colonial Police Medal, and Colonial Police Long Ser vice Medal.

Gilbert Lorenzo Quintal In Sydney in August while under medical treatment,

aged 75.

A World War 2 veteran and prisoner of war, Mr Quintal known to all on Norfolk Island as Metta was also a long-time employee of the Pacific Cable and Wireless Board on Norfolk, delivering cables around the is land on horseback.

Particularly noted for his sing ing of the special Pitcairn hymns, Metta possessed a “big, boom ing voice”, and used it to his

very great enjoyment. The Nor folk Islander said in an obituary tribute, “he was away in a world of his own while he sang.”

Sekonaia Tu’akoi In Tonga on October 3, aged 70.

A former Police Magistrate, Sekonaia was educated at Tupou College and later at Tonga Col lege. He joined the civil service in July 1933 as a police const able. He served at the Police Services until he became Sergeant Major in 1947, then he left to become a lawyer.

In 1951, Sekonaia was the Tongatapu Number 1 Represen tative to the Legislative Assem bly. For seven continuous terms, he represented the people.

Cabinet appointed him as Police Magistrate in 1971.