another embezzlement

In Tonga

From • Our Own Correspondent

Nukualofa, Dec. 14.

SEMIS I KIOA, a promising young Tongan, who was postmaster and sub-treasurer in the Haapai Group for the past six years, was convicted of falsifica tion of Government accounts, and of abetment of forgery, and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, or three months’ imprisonment and £2l fine in November.

It came out in evidence that, in the last six months of 1937. Kioa employed a youth living with him, named Siale Abina, as caretaker of the post-office and wharf, at Haapai, at £3 per month. While Abina was doing the work, Kioa got a young woman named Misiba who also was living with him, to forge Abina’s signature on the voucher paysheets and to draw his wages. At the end of 1937 Abina left Kioa, and he got the girl Misiba to take Abina’s place, with him self doing most of her duties. Thus she was employed from January to October, 1938, and drew wages under Abina’s forged name.

For her part in the affair the girl was

convicted of forgeries, and was bound over for two years.

Kioa is the second young Tongan in the nublic service to have been convicted of dishonest dealing during the year. The other was Uliti Balu, who was involved in the Treasury affair several months back, when about £1.200 was found to be missing from the Government Savings Bank.

On Christmas Eve, at the Hotel Carl ton, Sydney, the chieftainess of the Pacific Islands Club, Mrs. Alfred Page (Lefagoalii) was presented by members of the Council with a breakfast set. Mrs.

I. H. Meredith, deputy chieftainess and a former resident in the Solomon Islands, made the presentation.