Centenary of George

Tongans Will

Celebrate

Centenary of George Tupou I

From August Hettig

Nukualofa, Oct. 26.

rNGA is going to enjoy a week of public festivities early in December, to celebrate the centenary of King George Tupou I, on December 4.

High Chiefs of Samoa and Fiji, because of the connection of those countries with the historical background of Tonga, have been invited by the Tongan Government to come to Nukualofa for the occasion.

The whole island is bestirred, and dif ferent bodies are working out plans and programmes. Rehearsals of native tradi tional dances, pageants, etc., are in full swing in every village and island in the Group. Sports will be held for boys and girls, and displays by the schools.

Tongans are proud of this part of their history, hence this great enthusiasm for the coming celebrations. As a proof of this, a presentation will be made to Crown Prince Tupouto’a-Tungi by the people of their savings in copra bonuses. The sum is somewhere in the vicinity of £20,000. This is to be set aside as a centenary memorial fund for financing a plan to send young Tongans to Australia or NZ for higher education.