official Secretary § (Ho^™!!^!? d Murrav^

Tongan Prince At Pacific

Islands Club

GUEST of honour at the Pacific Islands Club meeting in Sydney on Novem ber 1 was Crown Prince Tuboutoa, of Tonga, who addressed a large gather ing of members on “The Transition Period in Tonga”.

He traced the evolution of the Tongan people, between 1799 and 1862, from a state of heathenism and lawlessness to their acceptance of Christianity and through the efforts of George Tubou I. the establishment of constitutional gov ernment. Present-day Tongans, he em phasised, are rapidly acquiring English ideas and culture and, as time passes, more and more young Tongans will go to Australia and New Zealand for educa tion, later to take their place in the management of their country’s affairs.

Himself a law student at Sydney Uni versity, with a fine record of scholastic and athletic achievement, Tuboutoa is a striking example of the way in which the Tongans have passed through the transi tion period and are assimilating Western civilisation. That an educated Tongan, clad in formal evening dress, could lec ture in a soft, cultured voice for an hour and a half to an intelligent and interested European audience speaks volumes for the adaptability of Polynesian races.

Prince Tuboutoa was welcomed in traditional Maori manner by Noho Toki, who sang several Maori songs. Young Miss Marama Toki danced the poi; and Mr.

Lucas Staehelin played a Tahitian vivo (flute). A score of lantern slides depicting native scenes and points of interest in the Tongan Group was shown by Mr. H. A.

Rabone.

Sir Hubert Murray (Lieut.-Governor of Papua) left Port Moresby on October 25 in tbe Government vessel “Laurabada” {o F, Abau ’ Samarai and Dogura. His Ex

official Secretary § (Ho^™!!^!? d Murrav^

andth e ChLfMedi^Officer(mFJ Williams) attended the consecration of the new cathedral at Dogura on October 29.

Crown Prince Tuboutoa.