The Eye Of Tubou

A Question of Tongan Succession

THE Palace kava ring had been formed. Motua Ponaka and the hereditary leaders of the kava rites had taken up their positions to the right and left of the place which was to be occupied by Tubou.

From early morn, smoke and steam had been rising from numer ous urns in which were cooking the pigs, poultry, fish, yams and other delicacies which were to be pre sented by the visitors, and now with monotonous chants, the gifts were being dragged on hurdles into the

palace compound.

The Vavau chiefs closely followed their offerings, and, as they seated themselves on the ground in the centre of the ring, King George Tubou stepped out from the palace and took his place.

With the usual ceremonies the kava was cut up, pounded, watered and made ready for distribution. As the server cried, “Kava kuoreke,” the beverage was handed round by the attendants, the King receiving the third bowl under the direction of Motua Ponaka.

The ceremonial part of the busi ness being concluded, Tubou made signs to some of the principal of his visitors to come up and sit be side him on the verandah, and was soon engaged in discussing the state of affairs in Tonga and reviving old memories with his guests, many of whom had been his comrades and his war mates in earlier days.

Tubou was nearing his end, and was troubled in mind over many things, especially with respect to the succession to the crown of Tonga.

Many of those present had assisted at the Watch Night Service in the church at Sione Foou on the last day of the year, when, in accord ance with Tongan custom, as the clock struck the first stroke of mid night the band marched towards the church door to the solemn strains of the Dead March in Saul.

Then, after having offered up a final prayer, in which Tubou had re ferred to his approaching end and the troubles which had embittered his latter years, the King blessed his people and solemnly kissed each of the assembled chiefs with a final benediction. As the last stroke of midnight tolled forth the band had emerged from the porch of the church striking up the merry tune of, “1 Wish You a Happy New Year,” and the annual serenading raged through Nukualofa.

By the constitution of Tonga, the succession was clearly defined. It lay in the direct line of King George through his son Tevita Uga in the

male line, and the only male rep resentative was Prince George Toufa Ahau. Failing direct issue in this line, the crown was to descend to the Tungi family. Old, blind Tungi would be followed by his son, Tukuaho (then Premier of Tonga) and failing him by his little son, Viliame (William).

The chiefs were all in support of Prince George Toufa Ahau, but Mr.

Basil Home Thomson, who repre sented Sir John Thurston, objected to the arrangements and had been trying to get the Crown Prince passed over and the succession secured for Tukuaho.

Mr. Thomson had left Tonga, but the result of his interference still troubled the King and his people.

Naturally, this formed the principal topic of discussion between the King and his chiefs.

King George Tubou would have been a notable figure in any land and among any people. The worry of the last six months had thinned

and aged him more than would thrice the number of years, cheeks were shrunken and his had taken on the iron of age* his mouth was firmly set and eyes bright. For all his shrui. figure, thin face and hollo cheeks, there was a fire in his and nobility was written on broad, square forehead. The: firmness of the mouth and chin claimed him a man among mem age was 95, but his look was « and steady. No one who had seen Tubou could ever forget h On his passing on February 1893, the Crown Prince George T Ahau (George Tubou II) succei him.

It was strange that the little?

Viliame (William Tungi), beo the Prince Consort to Queen Ss who was a daughter of the late I George Tubou 11.

A recent lease granted by P-NG Land Board to Mr. F Atkinson, of Gusap, will more double his present holding in from Lae. The 19,000-acre leas Dumpu is only separated by river from his property at Gv and will allow him more wate facilities and enable the proper run one beast to 10 acres.