Niuafo'ou Is Now Another Lost Island

Full Evacuation of Population Expected Soon

Nuku’alofa, October 20 TIN CAN ISLAND, which became famous among philatelists some years ago, when unorthodox methods of delivering mail there were adopted, is to be abandoned to the volcanoes.

Following the eruption there in early September, the Tonga Government has decided that the unfavourable conditions now prevailing at the Island of Niuafo’ou warrant the immediate evacuation of its inhabitants. . ... ... ..

A committee consisting of a police magistrate, a Roman Catholic priest, a Free Wesleyan Church minister and the district officer of the island are now proceeding , I ; here on th , e Government vessel “Hifofua’ to control and direct evacuati° n - The total population of the island is about 1800. It will take some time to evacuate that number with their personal belongings, especially when the only means of transport, so far, is the

small Government vessel “Hifofua.”

It is not yet known where the Niua fo’ou people are to be settled, but they are to be brought to Tongatapu in the first place.

Earlier, it was thought that the “Matua” would be diverted to pick up th e islanders; but, while expressing their thanks for this offer the Tongan povern ment has stated that the time available is too short to prepare the whole popu lation for evacuation. The Matua therefore has resumed her normal sche dule it" has been learned that £24,000 worth of copra was lost in sto re in the fires following the eruption. Government bui i dingS) missions, trading stores, sheds, houses and all installations have also been destroyed. The total loss is ex pected to be great, Niuafo’ou was once called the garden of Tonga, but successive eruptions have covered most of the fertile land with lava.