The Outrage Premeditated. Auckland, February 14.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 192, 19 February 1887, Page 1

The Outrage Premeditated. Auckland, February 14.

The steamer Janet Nicoll, which arrivei fromjthe South Sea Islands this forenoon, did not bring any later news than that brought by the mail with respect to the recent outrage at Tonga, having left Tonga about a fortnight before the attempt was made on Mr Baker's life. Proof that the attack was premeditated, however, is afforded by the fact that when the steamer called at Tonga threats of assassination were openly made against Mr Baker ; but they appear to have been ignored, even by Mr Baker himself, who went about freely in his carriage, even at night. Affairs at Tonga were then in a very unsettled state, but it was not sup po<?ed that the discontented ones would dare to carry their threats into execution.

The Situation in Tonga. A gentleman intimately connected with commercial matters in the South Seas informs us that the political complication that exists in Tonga, together with the imposition of the Customs tariff, has completely paralysed trade. The duties are rigorously imposed, and all sorts of fines and penalties are charged. For instance, a captain who went to the Custom House five minutes late waa fined one guinea before his clearance papers were handed to him The traders believing that the present state of affairs cannot continue to exist, and that some foreign power will step in, or at any rate that the present tariff will be amended, refuse to import anything. Nothing is bought and nothing is sold, the people are eiuipiy Micawberieing.