Treaty With Tonga

Old Diary Recalls Events of 50 Years Ago

Goedicke-Van Asten, Who

j is a resident of Lotofoa, Haapai, Tonga, and who is over 90 years of age, was badly injured by an axe a few months ago, and seemed on the point of death. Father Tremblay, in charge of the Catholic Mission in that part of the Pacific, gave him the Catholic rites for a dying person.

However, he made a last-minute re covery: and soon afterwards, he was well enough to send to Queen Salote, on the occasion of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship and Protection between Great Britain and.

Tonga, the following notes from his 50years-old diary:— “1900—April 30: HMS Philomel arrived with Mr. Basil Thompson on board. Mr.

Thompson takes quarters with Dr. Mc- Lennan at Tangaloa.

“Mav 3: I called on Dr. McLennan and met Mr, Thompson. Mr. Thompson told me he is waiting for Premier Sateki and Uiliama Tungi (Minister for Lands) to sign a Treaty of Friendship and Pro tection. At 8 p.m., Premier Sateki arrived and also Mr. R. Hanslip, who is going tc act as internreter. At 10 o.m. there was no sign of Tungi. A messenger was sent to his home, and a message is brought back, ‘Kataki.’ At 11 p.m. Tungi arrivec in his invalid’s chair, pushed by (indecipherable). At midnight the Treaty was signed.

“June 13: Tungi died.

“1901—February 16: HMS Taurangs arrived, with the Governor of Fiji, to sign the Ratification of the Treaty, signeo on May 13, 1900.

“All the persons who signed, or saw thi signing of the Treaty namely, Basf Thompson, Premier Sateki, Tungi, Dk McLennan, R. Hanslip are dead now except your humble servant, who sendl his love to you. He is still alive, but ii poor health.”

Mr. H. H. Harman, who has been % years in Qantas service the last fiv\ years as General Manager, has retireo He has been succeeded by Mr. H. C Turner, who has been Assistant GM sine: 1946.

Mr. F. W. Smith, who is well-known if Fiji, where he was Government Prime for ’ a number of years, now is filling similar post at British Honduras.