TONGA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 128, 31 May 1901, Page 2

TONGA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

in the group. „„_. His Majesty the King of Tonga 'agrees that he will have no relations of any sort with Foreign Powers concerning- the alienation of any land or any part of his Sovereignty or any demands for monetary compensation, and Her Majesty will at all times to the utmost of her power take whatr ever steps may be necessary to protect the Government and territory of Tonga from any external hostile attacks. For this or for similar purposes Her Majesty's officers shall have free access to the waters and harbours of Tonga, and the King of Tonga hereby agrees to lease to Her Majesty a suitable site or sites m any harbour or harbours in Tonga for the purpose of establishing a station or stations for the coaling and repair of Her Majesty's ships, and for the erection of any military works or fortifications Avhich may be necessary or desirable for the protection of such stations, and will at all times to the utmost of his powers co-operate with and aid Her Majesty's naval or military forces in the defence of such station or stations if required to do so by Her Majesty's officers. Her Majesty will appoint a suitable person to act as British Agent and Consul in Tonga, who will be the authorised medium of all communications between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Tonga. And His Majesty the King of Tonga may appoint his representative to conduct such negotiations. The agent will not interfere in any way in the internal affairs and administration in matters where the interests of British subjects or foreigners are not concerned, but will at all times be ready to advise the King and His Government in any matter as to which they wish to seek his advice, and exercise the jurisdiction vested in Her Majesty by article V. of this treaty until such time as other arrangements may be made by Her Majesty in that behalf. Trade is very dull just now, as there are few nuts ripe, and there is very little money circulating. The resources of this country have never yet been exhausted. There are few exports except the dried cocoanut and the br.na.nas. It is, however, quite certain that with a little enterprise and industry a splendid return for capital can easily be obtained.

The new Consul, Mr Hamilton Hunter, is very much liked, and has Bet to work with energy and like a man of business, thoroughly trained to such work.

The King of Tonga went with his guards and band to superintend the ceremony at Haapai, one of the northern groups of islands.

They have put up a monument in commemoration of the present century, and the feast to inaugiirate the monument will take pla«e some time and be very interesting to the natives. His Majesty has been away three weeks.

Mr Low, the new teacher at the Nukualofa school, came by last steamer, and is giving great satisfaction.

The Lotus Heft here loaded with copra for Messrs Vines, Utting and Perston.

The Ysabel left on May 2nd for a cruise round the group, and the Lilleboune has arrived with goods for a German firm.

The Rev. J. B. Watkin is holding the Conference of the Tongan Free Church at Haapai. A large number of the native ministers are with him.