The Tongan Islands

Government’s Troubles with Coastal Vessels

From Our Own Correspondent

NUKUALOFA, September 20.

THIS September month has seen a revival of dancing in those small circles that, for some time past, have devoted themselves so strenuously to bridge to the complete exclusion seem ingly of any other indoor recreation.

The arrival of an oversea ship with a complement of engaging young men was undoubtedly the cause of this sud den intercession, and we know that at least three dances successfully func tioned in as many nights. Husbands who, for months, have had to stand that monthly “pay-day” torture —the never-ending complaint that the pin money allowance is niggardly in the light of bridge demands —now move around with fairly cheerful counten ance; it is thought, by certain stu dents of feminine foibles, that bridge is on the downward grade, and that home life for “hubby” may, before long, get back to normal.

Those Semi-Diesels.

The Government despatch vessel, “Hifofua,” built to the Government’s specifications, has been the source of a lot of the Government’s trouble since she was commissioned. Semi-Diesel type engines are now a very unpopu lar theme to those who were primarily responsible for their installation in this boat. Rumour hath it, that the Execu tive contemplates cutting losses and se curing a full Diesel type, which the enlightened now say is the only solu tion of a difficulty which grows more and more acute each day.

Some two years ago the natives of Niuafoou Island ordered, from a Jap enese firm, a vessel similar in design to the “Hifofua.” When she arrived at Tonga it was discovered that a mat ter of £4,000 was required by the builders (or their agents) before de livery. The Niuafoou people had come to the end of their resources, so the good old Government jumped to the rescue and depleted the Treasury by 20,000 dollars. Another semi-Diesel job, she limps into port from time to time on three legs, and engineers and fitters burrow around in her depths and temporarily fix her up till the next time.

Nukualofa Wharves.

Mr. Wise, Fijian Government Civil Engineer, has been and gone. Re quisitioned from that Government, he has been here a month and goes away with all the necessary data in his pocket, to frame a renort on Tongan wharves. It is understood that he will submit to the local Government three proposals: First, the total demolition of the pre sent wharf at Nukualofa, necessitating

a probable £60,000 appropriation for a new structure; Second, a lengthy extension and broadening of the present pile, cost ing £20,000; Lastly, the second proposition on a much smaller scale, at a cost of about £10,000.

In view of the continued depressed state of the copra market, it is a fairly safe bet to wager on the smaller

scheme.

Bananas And Cocoa.

A Vavau correspondent writes to Nukualofa and wants to know (rather sarcastically, I think) if anybody in, or above, the Government, has ever heard that bananas and cocoa will grow' in Tonga. He say: “ . . . I believe the Agricultural Department down your way was looked coldly upon, when it wanted £500 to purchase cocoa plants for the natives, because the Government reckoned the chucking of £4,000 into a Jap boat a better way of assisting humanity. If this is true, let me know, and I’ll get a “round robin” going for some new legislators.”

No, dear sir! I don’t think this is true. Have patience, my friend! Have patience!

An irritable chap, this Vavau corre spondent.

Beach Gossip.

Every once in a while generally,, too, when the moon is at the full— some congenital idiot rushes around the “beach” disseminating some wild rumour, which he has either gathered up or, more likely, conceived himself.

This rumour, like the snowball, reaches such dimensions in transit that, by the time it gets to the flapping ears of, say, the fiftieth recipient, he, and naturally those who follow after, are fit to collapse in incipient horror.

Friday’s moon (note the Friday) brought along a fair “stunner.” I lent the old ear, and (harkened. “Yes!

The Government find that their young navy (two little 60-ton coastal boats) is a net liability to the extent of £10,000 a year, and it is ‘fair dinkum’ that there is going to be a big salary cut next year.”

I didn’t faint —but, how must that have sounded in the ears of some of the underpaid civil servants?

Now. we get so many laws, that ‘an other little one won’t do us any harm,’' so I suggest one, neatly drawn un. whereby “Any person endeavouring or attempting to endeavour or inciting some other person to attempt to en deavour to malign a righteous Govern ment be liable to three years in the ‘stone jug’ without the option.” It’s just in the rough, but the legal fra ternity will get my idea. . . .