Tonga’S Despatch
p. 32 · Read in the full issue
Vessels
Hifofua Again In Service
From Our Own Correspondent.
NUKUALOFA, December 30.
SOME time ago there was a diverg ence of opinion as to the possibility of getting the engines of the Hifofua to again function satisfactorily.
Now, after being reconditioned and reconstructed by marine engineer Mr.
L. Summers, it is pleasant to report that the original engines have been doing weekly inter-island runs without mishap for three months. Mr. Sum mers, we hear, has been the recipient of a letter of appreciation from the Tongan Government and, needless to say, the pessimists (why are they al ways with us?) have been confounded.
The other despatch boat, Tokaga— that disastrous Government deal of two short years ago—has now taken on every appearance of a derelict, and lies above high-water mark at the island of Pagai. The odds are against her ever again being put into commission, and so’ we draw a veil over this one time purchase of old timbers and an cient iron from Nippon.