deaths

Ruta Pekamu Maoate Tixier In the Cook Islands in Febru ary, aged 69.

The late Mama Ruta Tixier was born in Ngatangiia on October 18, 1916, the sixth child of the late Teariki Pekamu Maoate and Pare Makimou.

She was married to a Tahi tian, Thomas Renney Tunuia rere Tautu Tixier.

In her youth, she excelled at a number of sports, particularly tennis.

Having come from a well to do family, she followed the example of her brothers and sisters and played a leading role in business, church activities, girl guides and child welfare.

Over the last 25 years Mama Ruta was a pioneer in the field of women’s craft, patchwork activities, drawing and design.

She played a leading role in the Cook Islands Women’s Federa tion, the Women’s Deve lopment Resource Centre and numerous clubs throughout Rarotonga and Avatiu in particular.

In 1972, she represented the Cook Islands at a Pan-Pacific cultural conference in New Zea land. Her craft talents were seen in many displays at in ternational-level conferences.

Having spent 21 years in the northern group, especially in Manihiki, Ruta became very popular among the people.

This popularity continued right through to the time she re turned to Rarotonga. She also gave notable support to the Avarua CICC ekalesia through out the years.

In the field of arts, Mama Ruta travelled with the Ivi Maori Cultural Group to Brisbane in 1984 as a consultant in the craft work of the Cook Islands, and at last year’s Arts Festival in Tahiti. She was also a member of the national arts group assis ting in craft and patchwork (Tiuaevae) activities.

For the last six years Mama Ruta has been a very popular figure in the Maeva Rau arts and family store in downtown Avarua owned by Mata and Parau.

She will be sadly missed by all.

This is certainly another sad departure of the daughters of Takitumu, a loving child from the Ngati Maoate clan and the family Kuri-kuri of Ngati Tan giia.

Elsa Margaret Watson In Queensland, Australia, on March 3, aged 97.

Mrs Watson was bom in Apia, Western Samoa, the eld est of the six children of Captain August Soffinger and his wife Margaret (nee Fruean).

She married in 1910 and went to Australia in 1913. She gave three sons and one daughter to the services in World War 11, but unfortunately lost her youngest son, Des mond, who was the pilot of a Liberator bomber and was lost over Italy at the tender age of 19.

Although Mrs Watson made several trips overseas, one with her younger daughter to visit her son’s grave in Milan, Italy, and two trips back to the land of her birth, she preferred to live in Australia.

She was a remarkable lady with an extensive knowledge of Samoa with its rich history and many legends, and was at one time governess to the children of the then governor of the colony, Wilhelm Solf. She was fluent in German, English, and, of course, Samoan.

She was much loved and will be sadly missed. Vale Elsa Manuia le malaga! O. C.

Blood.

Hari Lai In Ba, Fiji, on March 5, aged 70.

After arriving from India in the late 19305, Mr Lai worked as a peddler, selling goods from house to house between Rakir aki and Lautoka.

He did this for 20 years before setting up his first shop, Hari Lai Dosa and Sons, in Ba in the early 19605.

In 1969 he expanded the business by opening a second shop, Anita Fancy Store in Ba.

It was followed by the open ing of a Hari Lai Dosa and Co shop in Lautoka in the early 19705.

The business expanded fur ther in the mid-70s with the opening of a jewellery division, Anita Gold Industries Ltd. in Ba.

All the shops were closed for two days out of respect for their founder.

Athol James In Suva on February 22, aged 65.

Mr James went to Fiji in January, 1982, on a three-year contract under a New Zealand staffing assistant scheme as officer in charge of the in vestigation section in Fiji’s In land Revenue Department.

He was also responsible for training local investigation officers.

He was engaged for a further period and his contract was due to expire in April, 1986.

Before his Fiji assignment, Mr James was a retired district inspector in the New Zealand Inland Revenue Department in Wellington.

He had several years of ex perience in tax investigation work.

Mr James was an active member of the Suva Bowling Club.

Jo Strlnger-Menzies On Norfolk Island in February.

Born at Kaitangata, New Zealand, in the early ’2os, Jo attended a series of schools during her childhood as her parents moved around but completed her secondary schooling at Timaru.

Taking up tailoring, Jo went through all the angles of that trade during her apprenticeship with tutors from London tailoring, dressmaking, uphol stery.

A break from her trade saw Jo receiving instruction and be coming a nurse at a mental institution near Dunedin. She was nursing when she married lan Menzies. They had three boys, John, David and Peter and a daughter Andrina.

Later, Jo met and married Leslie Stringer on Norfolk Is land in 1977, and they lived in “Little Green Lane.”

Some seven years ago, Jo purchased the late “Rangi’s” dressmaking business, changed the name to “Jo’s” and it was next door to Bill’s Butchery opposite the airport that Jo established a thriving little busi ness which over the years has been a boon to the locals.

Ever present with her capabi lities was her effervescent personality, and she acquired many friends during the time she and Les have been on the island, working hard for Lions, particularly so during the time that Les was President. The Norfolk Islander.

Mohammed Tahir In Ba, Fiji, on March 12, aged 60.

Mr Tahir operated the Rolex Milk Bar which also sells duty free goods, frozen food, and novelty items. They are also wholesalers of many local goods.

He initially operated in the centre of Ba town and later moved his shop to the Tavua end of the town where it is still located.

Mr Tahir was also the assis tant treasurer of the Ba branch of the Fiji Muslim League for the last 10 years.