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Hokitika Guardian, 17 June 1933, Page 6

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NOTED FIJIAN WOMEN DIES ANCESTORS OF HIGH RANK SUVA, June 6. In the death of Adi Litiana Maopa, which occurred at the Colonial Wat Memorial Hospital, Suva, on May 25, tlio colony lost one of its highest ranking ladies. Adi Maopa, who was born at Lakemba, Lau, in 1867, was by birth conect:d with the most chicily families of Fiji. Her father was the Tui Nayau, the paramount chief of the Lau group, while her mother was the second daughter of King Oakobau. Her marriage with Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi also cpnnectcd her with another eliiefly line, for Ratu Joni was the son of the redoubtable Mara, who played such an important part in the early history of Fiji. Apart, hovever, frein her chiefly rank and the position she occupied in Fiji society, Adi Maopa was in herself a woman of considerable personal charm and grace. She took a: very real interest in the welfare of the Fijian peonle, and both her sons and her education that very few Fijians have enjoyed. Her eldest sou is Ratu J. L. Sukuna, B.A. of Oxford, of the Middle Temple, barrister at law. He was awarded the Medaille Militairo lor bravery in action with the French Foreign Legion, during the war, and is now Distrist Commissioner for the Lau group, over which liis grandiather was formerly the paramount chief. Ratu Sukuna is the first Fijian everso occupy the loffiee of District Coin sionor. Another son, Ratu Charlie Vuiyasawa, is clerk of the Court at Lc—vuka, while tlie youngest son, Ratu Dovi, is a medical student at Otago University. Ratu Dovi represented his university in the boxing tournament held in Auckland recently in connection with the University tournament. The body of the. late Adi Maopa was taken to the Jubilee Church, where it lay in state for two days. The funeral was largely attended by natives of rank from different parts of Fiji and by representative members of the European community.