OBITUARY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21176, 27 July 1940, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR TANO FAMA KNOWN AS WAR ENTERTAINER Mr Tano Fama, of Auckland, whose name is well known to ex-service-men as a result of his performances as a member of the New Zealand Divisional Concert Party in France, died yesterday in the Waikato Hospital. He suffered a heart attack about six months ago, and spent many weeks, in hospital, after staying with his sister, Mrs A. J. McGovern, of Te Awamutu. Before the last war, Mr Fama was an employee of the Post and Telegraph Department, and also a member of the staff of the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward. He left with the sth Reinforcements, serving at base hospitals in Egypt and France. Wiih the rank of sergeant, he was wounded while stretcher-bearing during the Battle of the Somme, and thereafter was almost wholly engaged in entertaining. As a member of the New Zealand Divisional Concert Party, Mr Fama became known as a versatile performer. After the war he was a principal of the “ Diggers ” touring entertainments, and when the company was disbanded in 1920 he assisted in producing a Government publicity film, with which he conducted a lecturing tour of the Dominion. In 1932 Mr Fama joined Amalgamated Theatres, Limited, and was manager of various theatres throughout New Zealand, the last being the State Theatre in Dunedin. In recent years he contributed numerous humorous articles in periodicals in New Zealand and Australia. He was working on a book about Pacific Island life. Mr Fama is survived by his wife and three-year-old son. The funeral will be held at Te Awamutu today.

MR DANIELL SULLIVAN The death has occurred in Auckland of Mr Daniell Sullivan, a former resident of the King Country, at the age of 85. Mr Sullivan was born in Ireland and came to New Zealand over 50 years ago. He landed at Wellington and later left for Taranaki, where he joined the Armed Constabulary and served under Major Gordon and Major dhute. He was present at the arrest of Te Whiti and Tohu. After hostilities ceased at Taranaki, he went to live in the West Coast district for a time. Upon coming back to the North Island Mr Sullivan worked on the railway, helping to put down the main trunk line. After leaving the railways he took up a block of land in the Ohura district. This he farmed successfully for a number of years, before moving to Te Kuiti, where he lived for twenty years before going to Auckland to reside. Mr Sullivan took a great interest in sport and when a young man was prominent as a runner and weight lifter, also playing cricket for many veare. He was a representative footballer, playing in Hamilton 40 years ago on Sydney Square, now known as Steele Park when representing Waikato. Mr Sullivan took a great interest in racing and at various times owned and raced a number of horses.