TONGAN NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 845, 17 June 1910, Page 3

TONGAN NEWS.

; 'From Our Special Correspondent.) Nukualofa, June 11. TJiere was mtici wonderment here wlica . .the Union Company's -steamer Tofna cam© steaming up to an on the'morning of Hay 29 last, Willi all flaf-i half-masted. We h-ad not long to wai.t, ! though, for the sad news of llio'grtai ; loss to the Empire by the daath' of Kiia? Edward VII. There was very, keen regret expressed here amongst both Europeans an<l Tonpans. Tho Tongan flag was inimediately half-inasted, likewise all other flags in town. The following, notice appeared in a Gazette Extraordinary:—"His Majefiiy the King to-day, with the deepest regret, which he is sure will be shared by all the people in Tonga, received tho following message from .His Britannic Majesty's Agent and Consul in Tonga, announcing the death, on th« f May G, of His Most Gracious Majesty King Edward tlic Seventh: 'I have to inform you, with profound regret, that His. Majesty King Edwurd VU died at 11.45'-p.m. on May 6.'" Immediately on receipt of the message, the Premier caused the following expression of sympathy to be forwarded: .—"All in.Tonga tender to the members of the lioyal Family their deep sympathy aad regret which has overtaken "the .nation in the lamentable deatli of His Most Graoious Majesty King Edward Vll.—Mateialona." A memorial service, held in St. Paul's Church of England, on the • following Sunday, was largely attended. A memorial service for the Tongan,congregation was held m the same church a day later, His Majesty King George Tubou II and Quoen Takibo being present. The Free Church of Tonga' also held memorial services. June 1 was, by proclamation, observed as a day of mourning throughout tlie kingdom. The British Agent and Consul (Mr. AV. Tel fer Campbell), at midday on June 1, in the presence of the public, read from tho flagstaff the notice proclaiming i George V King of England and Protector ; of its Dependencies. The British ilag having bean hoisted to the masthead, a . salute of 21 guns was tired, aiid the Na- ■ tional Anthem was played by the Toucan ; Government Band. Three cheers were ■ then given for the new King, and the ) ceremony closed. On Juno 3 (King George V's birthday) ; our residents paid their respects to His Majesty's representative in Tonga. A late Gazette notice reads:—"ln consequence of tho reported occurrence of : two cases of supposed plague in Auckland, and the danger of the spread of this dangerous disease by the agency of rats to these _ islands," householders 1 throughout the'kingdom arc earnestly requested to use all means in their power to aid in the extermination of these rodents." A reward of one penny per head for bodies of dead rats has been offered 1 by tho Government. Vessels expected to arrive are Captain Boss's Ysabel, the Wesieyan Mission schooner George Brown, and the Auckland-owned vessel Kereru. Tho Rev. M. Crosby, 8.A., arrived here to-day. The rev. gentleman is attaeJicd to the Wesieyan Mission, and his visit here is in connection with the unveiling ■ of a monument to tlio memory of tho i late Rev. Dr. Moulton, who played a proi minent part in the Wesleyaji Mission field in Tonga. Dr. Anderson, recently of Christchurch, New Zealand, has been appointed officer-m-chargo of the medical district of Vavau. An ordinance to "regulate tho landing of Niuo natives in the : kingdom of Tonga" has recently been gazetted. Nineans are prohibited to land unless under engagement to work in the islands. This law has been brought about owing to a number of natives who have arrived hero from Niuo becoming idlers in the community.