TONGA.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 330, 2 January 1889, Page 5

TONGA.

I TOXUAN y-ESTlVlTlldri. Tui: last month has be^un one of festive excitement as regards the nativo population. On the 4th of December, the King's coronation day, the usual Vegatta was held, and also sports. This has become now an annual aflair, and is looked forward to by tho natives ; in tact, the sports are under the direction of .1 nativo club called Maku Maile. As no men -of - war were hero at the time, it was a purely native a (fair, but went oil' very well. On the evening of the same day a scored concert was held in the Kind's Church, JMifcs Baker being the organist on the occasion. Several pieces were well rendered by the King's choir, and several solos suntr by j\liss Baker. The new clock was set going the same day ; it is really pleasant to hear the big bell soiike the hours of the day and night, and would lead ono to think he is somewhere else besides being in Tonga. The new peal of tubular bells were also rung fox - the first time on the same evening, and although played by a native lad yet they sounded veiy well, and as they echoed over the coral leef the- effect was very charming. During the day the chiefs from all the various towns brought presents to the king, which were divided out to the various visitors from the other groups.

FREE CHURCH. The last month has also been one of some importance fco the Free Church, the largo new church being opened on thai occasion. The Rev. J. B. Watkin preached in the morning to an immense congregation, the King- and almoslall the high chiefs of Tonga being present. At nighb a service of &ong was held, the square on which the new church is built being illuminated with upwards of 2,000 lamps. On the day following the annual missionary meeting was held, when the sum of £900 was. raised. This year will be the moat successful year of the Free Church; ifc is expected that more than £6,000 will be raised, and churches are nsin«j up on every hand, larger and better in e\«ry respect in mus.l oases than the old ones that have been ghen up to the Wesleyan Church. It ib certainly a pity to see some 60 or 70 We*leyan churches shut up, lottinp; to pieces, especially in Vavau and Haapai Groups, a sad memento of the unwise policy of the Church in Sydney.

THE NATIVE PARLIAMENT. Our Tongan Parliament nas been held. Several new laws have been passed, but as yet ha\e not been promulgated. Great satisfaction was expressed at the progress which Tonga had made since the last sitting's of Parliament, and a unanimous vote of eonlirlonco in the Premier was passed. The finances of the kingdom are most flourishing, and everything relative to Government i? progies&ing most favourably. Theic is a brisk trade in copra just now, and it is expected that the imports and exports have almost doubled durit.g the j'eai.