TONGA.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 305, 6 October 1888, Page 4

TONGA.

THE BRITISH FLYING SQUADRON. H.M.s. Calliope andH.M.s. Lizard arrived in Tonga on the 19th ulb. bringing Admiral Fairfax. We had been expecting the High Commissioner of the W. P., but instead of that the squadron brought the Admiral of the Australian station. He not onlysaluted the Tongan flag with 21 guns, but visited the king in state, and was saluted with 15 guns on his departure. The king also visited the Admiral on board the Calliope, the yards of the squadron, includng also the Egeria, being manned, and was saluted with 21 guns on his departure, so as far as flags, bands, and gunpowder are concerned we have been having lively times here in Tonga. During his visio the Admiral saw many of the sights of Tonga, notably the celebrated stones at the end of the island, also the caves celebrated for their stalactites ' and weird lakes, and the tombstones of the spiritual high priests of Tonga, where they have been buried for many generations, and are monuments of what took place in Tonga centuries ago. The Admiral seemed highly pleased with his visit, and spoke in the most eulogistic terms of the king's church and also of the new Free Church, which is almost completed.

TONGAN TROUBLES. These, as far as the peace of the country is concerned, seem to be a thing of the past. A better feeling is existing between all parties, and saving the discussion which still continues, no one seems to think any more of the troubles of days gone by. The Free Church are very busy putting up new churches on new sites, and the principal difficulty in the wav of union will be the determination of the Free Church not to use any of the old sites granted to tho WeS'eyan Church for religious purposes, in consequence of their being claimed as British property.

COMMERCIAL MATTEKS. A brisk trade is being done in copra, although it is low in price. It is expected fchafc a large amount of copra will be made during the next few weeks, in consequence of both churches preparing to hold their missionary meetings.

H.M.S. EGERIA. It is reported that Captain Aldrich, of H.M.s. Egeria, during his late cruise, has succeeded in making one of the deepest soundings that have ever been made. At a few miles off Pylstart Island, the most southernmost island of the Tongan group, he obtained a sounding of 4,228 fathoms.