deaths

Malcolm Sword Snr.

At Takuvaine, Rarotonga on April 6, aged 55.

Bom in Fiji, Mr Sword be came a prominent businessman in the Cook Islands, well known throughout the community.

He had extensive interests in road transport on Rarotonga, and a close connection with servicing shipping in the Cooks.

His death caused the post ponement of all Takuvaine net ball games on the weekend of April 6-7.

He is survived by his wife Noo, 10 children, and four grandchildren.

Dr Bill Coppell, a former deputy director of education in the Cook Islands, told PIM; “Malcolm Sword was one of the characters of the Cook Islands.

“In the 19505, when there was a keen demand for scrap metals, Malcolm and a friend carried out a diving operation to recover the bronze propeller blades from the wreck of the Union Steamship Company’s vessel, Maitai, which ran aground on the reef at Avarua on Christmas Eve, 1915.

“For a number of years Mal colm was pilot for overseas vessels coming on to the anchorage at Avarua.

“He was a great spinner of yams. I had many enjoyable sessions with him at the old Banana Court at Avarua, to gether with mates like Archie Pickering, Max Bergin, Henry Nicholas, and various seafarers, chuckling over reminiscences of events which gave spice to life in the Cooks.”

Arthur Brown In Sydney in April, aged 68.

A former Papua New Guinea hotelier, Mr Brown built Rabaul’s Ascot Hotel in 1950.

He lived in Rabaul for 30 years, and was also associated with the Wewak, Kieta and Arovo hotels.

He also had interests in plantations and other businesses.

Originally from Melbourne, Mr Brown served in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II as a rear-gunner,

and in Stirling and Lancaster bombers in England while seconded to the Royal Air Force.

He was later a wireless oper ator, and at the end of the war in Europe, transferred to the South Pacific sector.

When the Pacific war ended he was officer-in-charge of Jackson’s Airport in Port Moresby holding the rank of flight-lieutenant.

Mr Brown is survived by his wife, Dawne, daughter Kerrie, and two grandchildren.

Nathalie Framhein On February 6, at Ngatipa, Rarotonga.

Mrs Framhein collapsed while attending a function for Waitangi Day at the New Zea land Representative’s residence at Ngatipa.

Despite attempts to revive her by doctors present, includ ing Prime Minister Sir Thomas Davis and Dr Teariki Matenga, she died about half an hour later.

The wife of Tupapa resident Tekeu Framhein, the late Mrs Framhein had worked as an accountant at what was former ly the United Islands Traders, now Foodland.

She is survived by her hus band and four sons, Henry, Karl, Robert and William. The last-named came from New Zealand for her funeral.

Her sister Henriette and brother-in-law Robert Wohler came from Tahiti and joined many hundreds of relatives and friends to pay their last respects to Mrs Framhein, who was laid to rest at the family burial ground at Kiikii, Rarotonga.

Her husband, Tekeu, is a member of the Framhein family of Mauke, and is well known as a former employee of the Un ion Steamship Company at Rarotonga, and more recently as manager of Union Travel.

Leslie Richmond Rex In New Zealand in December 1984, aged 80.

Leslie Rex started work for the Niue Government in 1923 as a school teacher, a calling he

capably followed until his retire ment in 1965.

In 1940 he became senior teacher at Mutalau’s Kofekofe school, after which he was appointed to work in schools administration.

In 1946 he went back to teaching, and for two years was head teacher at Alofi’s Tukufia school. In 1949 he went over seas for formal teacher training.

Before his retirement, Mr Rex was appointed Community De velopment Officer with the Ad ministration Department. Here he excelled, bringing together his experience in teaching and in direct contact with the public.

After his retirement, Mr Rex went on teaching, but as an organising teacher on a part time basis.

Mr Rex was noted for his competence as an interpreter and translator. Employing his wide knowledge of the Niuean language, he co-authored a dictionary of Niuean with Jock McEwen.

He was at one time a judge of the Niue High Court, and was a member of several government committees.

What was probably the crow ning experience of his life and work occurred in 1965, when he was awarded the MBE.

He is missed by his many friends, especially for his meti culous manners and ready smile.

Arvind Kumar At Poloa, American Samoa, on March 17, aged 24.

A Fiji Indian employed by John Holland Constructions, Mr Kumar drowned while swimming with five friends at Poloa.

When he disappeared, his friends, Poloa villagers, police and fire crews searched for him, but without success.

The Marine Resources vessel Sausauimoana was despatched the next day with divers from Marine Railway and Marine Re sources to continue the search.

The body was found in water 24 metres deep off Poloa.

Robert Gordon Coster At Utulei, American Samoa, on March 31.

A New Zealander employed by Transpac Corporation, Cos ter’s body was found by police at about 2 a.m. on March 31, at the back of a van parked outside Lee Auditorium. He had died of head injuries.

One suspect was found at the wheel of the van, and another was picked up later at the dock.

The two men were charged with first degree murder.

Lucy Javier In Lae on February 3.

A long-standing member of the part-time staff of the Papua New Guinea University of Technology at Lae, Mrs Javier will be much missed by the staff of the university’s department of applied physics.

Mrs Javier had been an em ployee of the university since 1976, working in the mathema tics department for one year as part-time lecturer, and later in the physics department as senior tutor, lecturer and de monstrator.

Her husband, Fred Javier, had served the university as senior technical officer in the physics department, and then as lecturer in the electrical en gineering department.

Lillian Menzies On Norfolk Island on January 9.

Lillian Menzies was a shy retiring lady who worked hard for her church and for the many other organisations with which she was connected. For many years she was the organist at the Methodist/Uniting Church.

Born and married on Norfolk Island, Lillian and her husband “Teeny” (Charles Menzies), al ways opened their home to visiting clergy from the Method ist/Uniting Church.

A special friend of theirs over the years was the Rev. Bob Wyndham, who, together with his wife Margaret, went over from Sydney for the funeral. Mr Wyndham gave the valedic tory at the Uniting Church, while Pastor Peter Arbon offici ated at the graveside.