The Circus Horse

The King And

A Memory of Tonga of 60 Years Ago

By F. T. Goedicke-Van Asten

IN 1890, there arrived in Nukualofa, Tonga, Montgomery’s Circus. Among the special acts was a beautiful white horse, trained to the “High School” (a circus expression).

When the Ringmaster pointed his arm to the left or right, forward or backward, the horse would run to that direction; but when the arm went upwards the horse would stand on his hind legs and, with his forelegs, would salute.

One| evening, King George Tubou I patronised the circus and, when he saw the performance of the horse, he was fascinated with the animal. The follow ing day the King sent for Mr. Mont gomery and asked him to sell him the horse. After long bargaining, and being offered a fancy price, King George obtained the horse.

A messenger was sent out immediately to buy a saddle and bridle but all he could obtain was a Mexican saddle, with wooden stirrups, from the German firm.

One day, the King had made up his mind to visit his friend. High Chief Tui vakona, at Nukumuku; so he ordered his new horse to be saddled, and he started on his journey. He travelled only a few chains when a native came along the road. Seeing the King, he stopped and lifted up his arm in salute, Tonga fashion, The horse, remembering his training, went up on his hind legs, and nearly unseated the King.

Everything then went smoothly; but,

near Nukumuku, two natives stood near the road. Seeing their King, they lifted their arms in salute. The horse, seeing their unlifted arms, went up on his hind legs. The saddle-girth had got loose—and down went His Majesty King George Tubou I, saddle and all.

The natives, seeing their King on the ground, rushed to help. But King George was quickly on his feet. He told the men

to take the horse back to the paddock, and he would walk the short distance.

Determined not to make any further show of himself, the King presented the horse to George Tukuako, father of the late Prince Consort Tungi.

On October 7, 1897, the King and George Tukuako went for a ride to Mua. when they came to Havelu something went wrong. George Tukuako had a stroke, fell from his horse, and died where he fell.

Mele Siukilitabu, wife of George Tu kuako, presented the horse to Mr. Maxim de Lambert; and it died during my absence from Nukualofa.

In memory of George Tukuako, who was well liked, the Europeans of Nukualofa erected a monument on the spot where he fell and died. The Tonga Government made a deviation in the road.

The number of cars registered in New Caledonia will soon reach the 5,000 mark with delivery of a consignment of 200 from France. The number is high for a country with such a small European pop ulation.