ISLAND NEWS.
The only news of importance by the Ovalau, from the Islands, is that the natives of Haapai and Vavau (Tonga) are threatened with a serious water famine. Beyond an occasional light shower, no rain has fallen in these islands for a long time past, and water is now terribly scarce. Ihis, oi course, has produced a corresponding scarcity of food. and as the natives live almost entirely on yams, and other products of the soil, they are beginning to eel the effects. The young King of Tonga has sent tho Rev. J. B. Watfcin to visit the districts affected, to see if anything can be done to relieve the inhabitants. There has been no mortality as yet, and the natives have plenty of money to purchase food it it can bo obtained. The threatened conflict in Samoa between King Mahetoa and hia rival Tamaseee appears to have tizziea out " in empty words, for no fighting rook place, and both parties appear to have calmed down. The Samoans, some __UU in number, who accompanied their young princess to Tonga on the occasion of her marriage to the King's father, wero taken back to their homes by the Ovalau on her last trip.
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Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 75, 1 April 1897, Page 2
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203ISLAND NEWS. Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 75, 1 April 1897, Page 2
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