Silas Sitai MBE BEM (died 31 October 1972) was a Solomon Islands civil servant. He served as Shadow Chairman of the Governing Council between 1971 and 1972, the first Solomon Islander to hold the post.
Silas Sitai | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Shadow Chairman of the Governing Council | |
| In office August 1971 – October 1972 | |
| Preceded by | Tom Russell |
| Succeeded by | Michael Gass |
| Personal details | |
| Died | 31 October 1972 (aged 52) |
Biography edit
Originally from Santa Ana, Sitai attended All Hallows' School and Queen Victoria School in Fiji.[1] He joined the civil service as a clerk in 1939, initially working in the Resident Commissioner's office in Tulagi.[1] Having learnt morse code, he attended a training course in Suva to become a wireless operator. When World War II started he joined the Fiji Naval Reserve, before returning to serve in the BSIP Defence Force alongside the United States Marine Corps.[1]
Following the war, Sitai returned to Suva to finish studying. He then came back to the Solomon Islands and rejoined the civil service, becoming a clerk in Eastern District. By 1954 he had become Assistant Administrative Assistant,[1] and was awarded the British Empire Medal in the 1954 Birthday Honours.[2] He transferred to Central District in 1958, before becoming the Public Service Officer on the Land Trust Board in 1962.[1] Two years later he was appointed District Officer in Central District, before transferring to the same post for Isabel Island the following year.[1] He also served as a magistrate,[2] and was made an MBE in the 1970 Birthday Honours. In 1971 he was appointed Shadow Chairman of the Governing Council, becoming the first Speaker of the legislature.[3]
Sitai retired from the civil service in July 1972. A heavy smoker,[1] he died of a heart attack in October the same year.[2]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g Sitai, Silas ( – 1972) Solomon Islands Historical Encyclopaedia 1893–1978
- ^ a b c Mr Silas Sitai Pacific Islands Monthly, December 1972, p125
- ^ The Solomons (Speaker appointed) talks of independence in 1975 Pacific Islands Monthly, September 1971, pp23–24