ISLAND NEWS. The Late Volcanic Eruption. TREATY BETWEEN TONGA AND THE UNITED STATES.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 175, 23 October 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

ISLAND NEWS. The Late Volcanic Eruption. TREATY BETWEEN TONGA AND THE UNITED STATES.

Proceedings at Samoa. News from Samoa per R.M.S. Mararoa shows that the Germans are making strenuous efforts to get the upper hand in all matters, much to the annoyance of the British residents. It is reported that the Municipal Magistrate of Apia, Mr Mabin, formerly of Auckland, has been compelled to make room for a German Magistrate. The s.s. Liibeck, first of the new German line of steamers, instead of delivering her mails to the Municipal Postmaster, handed hem to the manager of the German firm, a«d the latter required that all letters should be stamped with the German stamp and pass through their hands. The United States man-o-war Mohican left Tonga for Samoa on October Ist. The barque Okonom, under charter of Messrs Me Arthur and Company, left Tonga for Europe with a full cargo of copra on October 2nd. Customs duties are now being levied in Tonga, everything, with a score of exceptions, being lOdegs. ad valorem; timber la 6d per 100 feet undressed, and SJs per 100 feet dressed. A gentleman on board the United States warship Mohican, recently in this port, sends us the following notes of that vessel's movements since leaving here: — We went to Pango Pango Harbour after leaving Auckland, and there met H.M.S. Miranda, with Mr Thurston on board. She left the same day for Fiji, Mr Thurston having finished his observations on Samoan affairs. Arriving at Apia on the 10th September, we found Mr Bates, the United States Commissioner, who immediately took up his quarters on board. The Commissioners did not hold joint sessions at all-, so that there is little or nothing made public. Suffice it to say that the independence of Samoa seems assured. On the 20th September we left for Vavau Island, where we met the Suva. She had been chartered by Mr Baker (Premier of Tonga) to go to thp island of ISiua-fu (Good Hope Island), half-way between Samoan and Fiji groups. It appears that early in the morning of the Ist September, a terrible volcanic eruption took place there, several craters breaking out from the summit, discharging heavy showers of wet sand. Every tree on the island was destroyed, and most of the villages buried to a depth of ,8 to 12 feet. The whole population of 900 (of whom not one was injured) will be speedily removed to the other islands of Tonga, and relief schooners were despatched immediately on the return of the Suva. A. French man-of-war passed the island soon after the eruption commenced, but the natives say she made little or no attempt to succour them. Proceeding to Nukualofa (from Nei-afu) with the Premier on board, a treaty of amity and commerce was' concluded between Tonga and the United States, a grand reception being tendered us by the Government, Mr Bates will return to Washington by the Mariposa, and the Mohican will proceed to Valparaiso (via Easter Island). Allow me to say that' the books, periodicals and newspapers presented to the ship's library at Auckland were very much appreciated' by all on ,board.. [At the time of writfcg\ our correspondent waS 1 of course unaware of the fearful earthquakes whicti occurred at Charleston, United States, on ''the' 'same day as the ;volcanic eruption above referred to.]

On a recent Sunday, the Rev. Joseph Scott, of Springfield, Mass., was very late Pt church l. * As he arose txf begin- his- sermon he said: " I am, very seldom late at church* my horse gave out, this ;qiorning and I had to( walk. , You Will find,my text in Psalms xxxii, 9 : 'Be ye nosa^ the horse or as the mule, who have no uriaerstanding,"