Laid Up Again!

Tonga's Unlucky "Hifofua"

From Our Own Correspondent

Nukualofa, Feb. 19.

ON her second trip up to the north ern groups, on her powerful, new, English diesel engine, the Govern ment despatch vessel “Hifofua” had a serious engine breakdown, near Haapai, when one of the 12 cylinders of her engine cracked. It is suspected that this was caused by a shortage of fuel oil.

The expenditure on repairs, on the old, half-diesel engine of the vessel had

been enormous. Therefore, it is diffi cult to understand why a couple of lads from the Government workshop have been allowed to run the valuable, new engine, instead of a reliable engin eer. There are a number of experienced engineers in Nukualofa.

However, the “Hifofua” is now lying idle in Nukualofa harbour (where she had been lying idle for five years, before she was refitted at the end of last year) awaiting new parts for her engine from England. With the war on, it is hard to guess when she will be able to run again.

Mr. John Bennett recently arrived in Suva to take up the post of Registrar- General in Fiji and Registrar of the Supreme Court.

Miss Augusta Buffett, only daughter of Mr. William H. Buffett, of Longridge, Norfplk Island died recently in the N.I. hospital. She was 39 years of age.

The “Hifofua” before she was recommissioned recently.