TONGA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 86, 20 April 1885, Page 4

TONGA.

(FIIOM A CORUESrON.ENT.)

Nukualofa, April 9, ISSS.

When the Aurora c.imo in she remained

only a few hours, so that there was no time I to write you a long lettor, but I now give you a fow more particulars of tho state of things. Prince Tubou Malohi'a Death and Burial. Tho Princo died on tho 11th of last month. The Premier was sitting talking to him, when suddenly he dropped his head on his breast, rolled over on his side, and expired. Mr Buckland, Jits medical attendant, states that he died of heart diseneo. Ho was conveyed by tho Government Kchooner Sandfly on tho 14th ult. to Uiha, where tho burial ground of tho Royal Family ia situated. The Kandlly arrived thero on tho next dny. The corpse was taken on shore to the lioubo of mourning, awaiting tho arrival of His Majesty King George. The funeral took placo on the 20th ultimo, and certainly was the grandest spectacle ever witnessed in Tonga. His Majesty left his temporary residence, preceded by the nativo band playing the Dead March, and followed by his aide-de-camp, body-guard, tho Prince's brother, cousins, and a detachment of tho nativo militia, and proceeded to tho sacred malac. The avenue to the cemetery is lined on both sides by a row of young casuarina trees, and was covered from tho beach to tho cemetery by nativo cloth. The militia was on guard on both sides. Thousands of people sat on either side of this avenue—tho King and Royal Family and chiefs on the north sido, and the Rev. J. B. Watkin, native ministers, and Europeans on tho south side. The catafalque on which the coffin was placed was covered with very expensive fine native mats, and on the coflin were placed the Prince's uniform, helmet, aword, and decorations. (I may add that ho was a Knight of ono o f tho German Orders.) The service was conducted by the Rev. J. B. Watkin, aesistcd by native ministers, tho Rev. S. W. Baker giving the funeral elation. The eoflin was then taken to tho sacred cemetery by a detachment of militia, preceded by two Government officials carrying the Prince's sword, helmet, uniform, etc., after which tho military salute was fired over his grave The ships in harbour, numbering some eight native vessels and a German schooner, had their flags half-mast high, ] together with some 70 nativo boats. Tho Wosloyan Free Church. With regard to this secession, it is making rapid strikes ; wholo towns have come over. In Vavau there is not a single person remaining to tho New South Wales Conference, and in Haapai very few — perhaps about ono hundred. In Tongatabu the majority are with the Fn <■■ Church, Great irritation ha.^ been caused by Mr Moulton printing and distributing circulars calculated to create disturbance, and sedition. The Tonga Government have drawn the attention of the British Consul to tho tame, and has informed him, it will hold Mr Moulton responsible for tho consequences of the circulation of such. Shipping. Tho Mailo arrived from Auckland on the 7th inst., after a passage of nine days. Tho Loch Loo is still in tho group; she was at Haapai in the beginning of the month, Tho Sandfly leaves this week for Auckland. (Fkom Another Cokresi'okdent.) Natives Joining tho Catholic Missions. Vavau, April 3. No doubt you will have received news by Aurora, from Tonga, of tho harsh and unnatural treatment the nativo adherents of tho Wesleyan Church received at the funeral of tho King's grandson. I hear from Tonga that a considerable number thcro have joined tho French Catliolic Mission ; thoy are afraid of remaining in their old faith, and they are determined no to join tho New- Church, and, I may add, they know that any arbitrary meaFure.3 brought to bear upon that mission would immediately bring about French interference and protection. England has been publicly described as a grasping country, and the people have boon urged to got rid of overything connected with England. Tho crusado against tho Wosloyans and everything olso supposed to bo British is now taking a very sorious shape. Foster day tho King had a gathering of all tho people in Vavau. They were requested to proparo to accompany him to Tonga to bo present at the opening of his now church. All were comminded to take with them weapons of some kind, guns, axos, large knives, &c, anything in the shape of a weapon they might be ablo to collect. I would rather not make any commont upon this, but prefer waiting to sco what tho meaning of this command may bo. One thing lam quite suroof, it cannot bo intended to .suppress a rebellion. No Tonga chief, in my opinion, would bo foolish enough to think of one. Immediately after tho funeral ceremonies of tho Prince wee over, Mr Baker dcs patched a Email Gorman vessel to Samoa. Tho natives say a chief went to establish the now faith" amongst a few Wesloyan Tongans their. Most Europeans think the object was to let his Gorman friends know as speedily aa possible the course events wore taking hero. I have just heard that a very"high chief has said she was sent for arms. Prevalent Depression. Amidst the warring of tho elements—a great storm presently raging—though happily not yet, nor likely to be at this time of the year, of hurricane force, do 1 sit down to indite this letter, in order that I may keep you "in touch" as to various matters in thoso Islands. What with the death of tho Crown Prince, tho per seditions in the religious world, and the utter stagnation of trade, conjoined with tho long-continued wet weather, wo are in a groat state of depression, and this feeling of dejection has not been mitigated by the war news brought to our shores by the Mailo yesterday. Tho Death of the Crown Prince. By the Aurora, which sailed last Sunday week, you were doubtless advised as to the death of Tubou Malohi, Crown Princr of Tonga, son of tho lato Tevita Uga, who died, as you will romembor, a few years back in Auckland, and grandson of the present King George. Wellington Gu Tubou Malohi was a younc man ; he died in his thirty-first year of great promise, of good education, polished manners, and most kindly feelings. He did credit—and bid fair to do credit—to the teaching and training of his solo instructor, the Rev. J. E. Moulton, Principal of Tubou College, and present Chairman of the Wesleyan Church in Tonga. Tho Prince was a good musician ; ho was almost equally at home with overy instrument, and took great pleasure in the instruction of his own private "brass band." He had a fine voice, improved b\ cultivation, and did much in bringing his people on in tho matter of singing. Without doubt of all Tongans, ho spoke the best English, and even was fairly acquainted with the niceties and tho idiomatic peculiarities of our language I noted this most particularly a week or so before his death, when in reply to somo remark of mine with ro?poct to tho weather, he answered " Oh, I do not think it will last long; it is merely a passing shower." Ho was remarkably handy with too!;--, and, liko ,i true Prince, ho was not ashamed to use thorn, or to show his young men how to handle thorn, and but lately had been engaged in tho erection of a no« residence for himself, now left uncompleted. In mathematical lore he was not deficiont, and I have often feon him puzzle gome of our smartest carpenters and boat - builders with his questions and problems. When last in his company in Haabai, at a boat-builder's, the conversation tending in that direction, Wellington took up an awl, stuck it three times into tho bench—tho punctures being very much out of a straight line —and called upon any present to find tho contre of a circle such that its circumference should pass through the wholo of the three points. He had to give the solution of the problem himself. The prince wbb a good shot, could row, ride, or drive, and could swim and dive like a fish—the Princo and myself having ventured together into the cave celebrated by Mariner in Vavau, " under the deep blue sea," and concerning which moro particulars may bo obtained from Byron's poem, "Tho Island." Persecution of the Wcaloyan Church. By the Aurora, you will also doubtless have learnt the terrible persecution the Wosleyan Church is undergoing. The cruelties towards many of the poor, inoffensive members of that" Church will hardly btain credence, and these cruelties are perpetrated simply because the consciences of these people will not allow them to leave tho Church of their fathors to join tho sham of a church set up by Messrs Baker and Watkins. These gentlemen say, and would have tho natives bcliovo,that tho two churches are the same, and that, therofore, as it is tho King's will, tlioyinusfcdosei'ttho Wosloytnand comeover tothoFreeChurch—asitisin mockery called When substance and shadqw, light and darkness become convortiblo terms, then, and.

-.? torn from their husbands, chilJ° Wetl a »a OW bedridden women are drag^f "% houses and illosed until thevo °mth«l over lo the ne W ChH^g***.; all the peoplrj vrere called out andft? &*» leya,,, commanded to sit inth'o n ,» h? W«the tun, the Free Church iS^ place, n the Hhado ThereThfcS wore kept from early morn till W -^"tt . afto.-r.aon. The chief of th?tom,^ 81,** with then, was taken away thaTth °hei|l not bo encouraged by hisp^^'ifo that they would have to rive h \ i?* number of GO or 70 they atonj toft» afterwards came into the il Mli here in Nukualofa, to report Z?* 11** tho Rev. Mr Moulton. These^? 1* assertions at random on my Bar? £.* bore out by affidavits ffi w M» tlio gentleman representing the 31 Consul here but unfortunately 5 h» power Within the last'Cft* I have seen dozens of such documents .1! in one of them it 13 stated that thep£ D ft Vavau and flaabai have instructional themselves and provide themselves .5' ammunition, in order thftf they mJL b pared to come on with the Kins at a of May and put down any SftTJ \\esleyan Church that may rem an 1 « Mr Baker gays that he is not tZS for all that m doing or T a' 8 has been done; but I should .hint ' that th » vho putß th «l tJJ. match to the combustible is answenffiE tho conflagration and its conamm, ™! , Mrß.,^S»callodupontoprtts* i these inhuman proceedings, refuses JS 1 shelters himself under theuL?* j that his functions are administrate ; at.d not judicial. It is to be hoped tH« . British power may speedily stepintopiJ