TONGAN TROUBLES

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 293, 25 August 1888, Page 6

TONGAN TROUBLES

The Southern Cross arrived in Tonga on August 2nd, bringing the Eov. Geo. Biown, the special Commissionei from the Wesleyan General Conference. Previous to hid annal, the Fiemier informed His Majesty thai ho had received a letter from the Pie&ident of the Wesleyan Conference, reporting to His Majesty the appointment ot the Rev. Geo. Brown as special commissioner. Hearing this, His Majesty requested the Government to inform the British Vice-Consul to that effect, andiequested that all the complaints made by the Revs. Moulton and Ciosby should be left over till the arrival of Mr Biown. To this the Consul demurred, on whic'i His Majesty informed the Consul that he was soiryit was no longer a religious dispute, but had become one between the British and Tongan Governments. On the arrival of Mr Brown he saw the King, together with tho Rev. J. B. Watkin and the Premier, but what transpired has not been disclosed. A short time ago the King passed an ordinance relative to arms and ammunition, based on the lines of the Fiji ordinance. British subjects here, well-known opponents of th Government, refused to pay English ciurcn jy for their duties, but paid the amount on Chilian money into the consulate and laid a claim of some £2 per diem for damages. They have since, however, takon out their goods, paying English coin. It seems strange that whilst the Tongan Government have been trying to introduce English cunency, the only two opponents should be two British subjects supported by the British Consul, whereas all the Geimans and other foreigners pay their duties in English currency.

FREE CHURCH CONFERENCE. Tne Free Church Conference has just been held and is reported to have boun a great success, many having lecently joined the church, ltd funds b; ing in a most flourishing condition, and numbers of church s having been built during the year free of debfc. At the oonclufeion of the confeicnee a service of song w »s held which wan well attended, and both tho church and grounds beautifully illuminated, The " Adams " was heic a few weeks ago, and the ratification of the treaty between Tonga and the United States took place. There baa been an immense trade in copi a lately, most of the stores being full of copra, and since the arrival of the Premier trade has been very brisk.

Herp ia a rhyme for the seasons which may supply the place of the usual weather proverbs :—: — Autumn — Wheezy, «neezy, freezy. Winter — Slippy, drippy, nippy. Spring— Showery, flowery, bowery. Summer — Soppy, croppy, poppy. It is calculated that £10,000,000 will be spent by visitors to the Melbourne Exhibition.

(tABLICK & CR AN WELL are selling furniture ,-md Carpets very cheap. Iron bods,l,ends and Spring Mafcfcrosaes at greatly i educed puces. Bedding of all kinds ready for -delivery Oil Cloths from Is. square yard. Linoleum from 2s 3d. Blankets, fleets, quilts, curtaiiib, and all furnishing s-oods splendid value. Wire Wove Mat tresses much cheaper than they used to be A strong Iron Bedstead and Wire Wove Mattress for 55s cash. Simple Iron Bedstead and Wire Wove Mattress for 38s cash price. Our goods are carefully packed, eve y attention pnid to prevent damage by n¥Ekm£ y a ! l y° ur household goods from UAKLICK and CRANWELL, Cabta* makers, Queen street Aucklund"*