DEATH OF THE CROWN PRINCE OF TONGA.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 121, 24 January 1880, Page 3

DEATH OF THE CROWN PRINCE OF TONGA.

Many of our. renders will remember seeing nn announcement a short time ago in our columns of tho arrival of the Rev. S. W. Baker and a chief of Tonga. We are sorry to have to announce the decease of the said chief, whom, it appeai-s, was no less than the Crown Prince of Tonga. For some time previous to his arrival hero wo understand ho was in a dclicato state of health, and the object of his visit to our city was to obtain medical advice. Dr. Philson was called in, and attended him to the last. The disease from which the Prince died was enlargement of the liver and general dropsy. Several medical consultations wero held, and every thing was done thnt human skill could do, but all to no effect. We have no doubt but the decease of the Prince will cast a gloom over the Friendly Islands, and will be a shock to the old King, who is over SO years of age. The deceased Prince was about 54 years of age, and was a member of the Wcsloyau Methodist Church. For many years he was Governor of Vavau, and has always taken an active part in the affairs of tho Government of Tonga. Since the granting of the prosont Constitution to tho Friendly Islands, he has held tho ollico of Premier. He is reported by those who knew him well to have been a shrewd man of business, an excellent speaker, and well conversant not only with the politics of bis own land, but also of European nations. Some two years ago the Emperor Vtilliani of Germany conferred upon him tho Older of the Crown of Prussia of the second class. He leaves two sons and a daughter. The succession we are informed, according to the present Constitution, goes to his son, Prince Wellington Tuboumalohi, the present Governor of Vavau, who is described as being a well-educated Frince—can speak English tolerably well, is a good musician, and a young man of engaging manners, and of good ability. We believe it is the intention of the Rev. S. W. Baker to have the royal corpse taken at once to Tonga, a lead coffin hermetically sealed having already been procured. We feel assured that the Prince's death will be 11 regret to all, for King George's name is now a household word. And, as Atiekland has such important connections with the Islands, we could almost have wished that the Prince might have been buried here, so as to give )iir townsfolk an opportunity of showing respect to the son of one wdio has ever takeu such an interest in the civilisation of his people.— New Zeal nd Herald, l)ec. 23.