DEATHS of Islands People

Paul Yawiga In Papua New Guinea in September, aged 74.

Mr Yawiga, from Marunumbo Village, Wewak, was well known for his distinguished role in World War 11, during which he lost an eye and an arm. He was awarded several medals, in cluding the Pacific Star and

Mbe.

A former policeman in the old Australian Mandated Territory of New Guinea force, Paul Yawiga excelled in the harsh wartime conditions on Bougainville where he served alongside the coastwatchers. For him, the war was a sudden opening of hori zons, with encounters with many foreigners, opportunities to travel, and the praise of Allied servicemen and governments.

In the postwar period, he tried, in spite of his own lack of educa tion, to lead his Sepik people into a wider and more complex world.

He was one of the key infor mants for the recently completed documentary film Angels of War (PIM Jun p 23).

A scholarship will be set up in his honour, to allow two students from the Kubalia area to enter secondary schools each year.

Claude Champion At Dee Why, Sydney, in Sep tember from liver failure.

Bom in Port Moresby in 1906, the youngest son of Herbert Wil liam Champion, CBE, govern ment secretary of Papua 1913 to 1942, Claude was one of Papua’s “Outside Men,” first as a patrol officer and later assistant resident magistrate.

In 1929 he accompanied B.

W. Faithom on a patrol up the

Turama River and followed the Erave River to its confluence with the Purari.

In 1937 he led a patrol, ac companied by F. W. G. Ander son, from Kikori and after eight weeks’ travel made a base camp at Lake Kutubu. From there they went into the Wagafurari and Tarifuroro valleys.

In 1940 he led another patrol, accompanied by R. C. M. Tur ner, from the Strickland to the Tiomu.

From 1942 to 1945 he served with the Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU).

After the war he became assis tant government secretary and later director of civil affairs. He retired to live in Australia in 1961. He was very active in the affairs of the Retired Officers Association of Papua New Guinea.

Claude was a member of a family all of whom made great contributions to the administra tion and exploration of British New Guniea, Papua and Papua New Guinea over a period of more than 60 years. H. E. (Lynn) Clark.

Harry Charman

In Suva on October 9, aged 67.

Mr Charman was awarded an MBE for his work for Fiji youth.

A Cockney, he was always an attraction when he paraded in his “pearly” button suit in Suva’s Hibiscus Festival processions. In younger days in London, he was a professional boxer and served as sparring partner for the British

and Empire boxing champion,

Harry “Kid” Lewis. He founded Charman’s All-Races Sports and Social Club and was a personal

friend of several prominent Brit ish politicians who supported the club with donations.

Louis Mahabir In Britain on September 29, in his 80s.

Louis Mahabir was a former leading scout in Fiji. He was the first Indian to become a scout master, joining the movement before World War 2. He served in the home guard during the war

and was a member of the Special Constabulary. He worked as an engineering foreman in the Publ ic Works Department before migrating to Britain 15 years ago.

Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu On Taveuni, Fiji, on October 13, aged 51.

Ratu Naiqama served in the Royal Fiji Police Force 1949- 1951. He then enlisted in the Royal Military Forces and saw

active service in the Malayan campaign. In 1957 he joined the Fijian administration and was ap pointed Buli Cakaudrove, and promoted to Roko Tui Macuata in 1970. Ratu Naiqama retired in 1979 as the Roko Tui Tailevu.

Mabel Marion Howes In Timaru, New Zealand in October, aged 72.

Bom in New Zealand, Miss Howes became a qualified teacher in 1932 and in 1946 was appointed to Leifiifi school in Western Samoa. Her three-year contract was continually re newed. A local tribute read: “We don’t need to build a memorial stone to remind us of Miss Howes’ outstanding service to our young people. There are over a thousand living memorial stones, who hopefully, through their effort in life, will carry the good name of Miss Howes throughout Samoa and to other parts of the world and remind us of how this humble and gentle lady spent much of her life educating our children.’

Molik Ishiguro In Majuro on October 10, aged 54.

One of Majuro’s most promi nent businessmen and owner of Hotel Majuro, Molik Tshiguro died unexpectedly of heart complications.

Tai-o-Tonga Henry

In Rarotonga on October 23, aged 69 A brother of the late Albert Henry, Mr Henry had been a radio operator for over 30 years, starting his training in the field in 1937. He served on most of the islands as relieving operator, al though Rarotonga was his main station. Retiring 10 years ago, Mr Henry became an assistant pastor for Nikao. He was one of the longest serving members of the Boys Brigade.

Mrs Nesta Makin In Port-Vila on October 24.

Mrs Makin was the assistant education officer in charge of curriculum change, having start ed her career as a primary school teacher in the 19605. She was a member of the Kasten family from the Banks Islands, and was married to Bob Makin of Radio Vanuatu.

Simon Lauru On Ifira Tenuku, Vanuatu, on October 3.

Simon Lauru was one of the first people on Ifira Tenuku to be educated when the Presbyterian missionaries came to Vanuatu, studying at Tangoa Bible Col lege, South Santo. He was one of the first Ni-Vanuatu to take Christianity to Malakula. He la

ter became a teacher at Iririki District School. His son, Mas sing Lauru, is deputy commis sioner for labor.

Indira Vera Jayant In Suva, in October, aged 59.

Mrs Jayant was well known for her active role in the com munity. She served as a member of the board of St. Giles Hospital and also helped women prisoners serving extra-mural terms by of fering them accommodation in her house. A keen organiser of fund-raising schemes, Mrs Jay ant was also a needlework and crochet enthusiast.

Correction: Based on informa tion published in The Coconut Telegraph, Savusavu, Fiji, PIM reported (Sep p 73) the death of Mr Maika Brown of Levuka. A more recent issue of the news heet has reported: “In an earlier number of The Coconut Tele graph, it was incorrectly report ed that Mr Maika Brown, aged 108, of Levuka, had passed away. We are happy to say that Mr Brown is very well.”

PIM too is happy at the news, and offers its sincere apologies to Mr Brown and all readers for its earlier incorrect report.