'Order Of The Crown

Of Tonga"

Letter to the Editor.

REFERRING to the article, “Germany and Tonga”, published in the May issue of the “P.1.M.”, in which the different Orders received by the Royal Family of Tonga were mentioned, I would like to add that H.M, King George Tubou 11., of Tonga, was the founder in 1913 of a Tongan decoration the “Order of the Crown of Tonga” (four classes).

The first consignment of 12 Orders (three of each class) were manufactur ed in Germany, and were 14ct. gold, hand enamelled. They arrived at Nu kualofa in April, 1914, and King George at once decorated himself with the “Order of the Crown of Tonga”, Class I. The following day H.M. Queen Takibui received the same Order, Class 1., and myself, as Chancellor, the Order of Class 111.

Before the King had any chance to bestow further decorations, news arrived in Tonga that Great Britain had de clared war on Germany, and that no further awards were to be made for the present.

King George died in December, 1918, and with him the “Order of the Crown of Tonga”.

I am, etc.,

F. T. Goedicke.

Haapai, Tonga.

August 2, 1938.