TONGA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 179, 29 July 1903, Page 7

TONGA.

ANNEXATION RUMOURS UN-

FOUNDED.

TONGA, July IS

The Tonga Parliament was closed on 10th inst. by His Majesty King George Tabou 11. The. estimates were considered, and passed, the Premier making special mention of the fact that the total indebtedness of the Tonga Government to merchants and others outside the kingdom was £1(50, and for this amount drafts w re lvriiitted per s.s. Hauroto. At this declaration all the members arose and gave three: cheers for the Premier. One of the ljjgli chiefs, in an appropriate speech, hoped that God would spare the Premier for many years to come. Jio Sateki Toga is now ten years in office, being made Premier in 1803, and last month was made a noble by the King, being titled Veikune. 'Tis indeed refreshing to hear of a Government who can announce themselves free of national debt.

The rumour re annexation which appeared in Auckland, papers is unfounded, and all here sincerely hope that our peaceable natives will be left alone. Merchants in the group are perfectly satisfied with the administration and existing laws. At an interview with a few of the leading merchants I learn that their opinion is that Europeans in the colonies elsewhere do not enjoy so much lil.eity and freedom as in Tonga. The firing of guns on the 3rd inst. was 9. surprise to most people here; it'proved ho be :i salute of 21 guns to the BnM*h flag, vl.ich was hoisted on the flagstaff afc noon. After the salute Ujs Tonga flag wa-s again hoisted. This dilute was fired as an apology to otic British Consul and Agent. Hamilton Hu.itc r, C.M.G., he having accused the Government of treating him in an insuiting manner. It appears to have occurred, this way: On May 30 H.M.s. Pylades arrived here bringing Governor S. H. Jackson, High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, anchoring in the stream. The health officer, Dr. Maclennan, proceeded on board, as is usual when vessels arrive from beyond the kingdom. On examination of the bill of health it was found to be endorsed for measles at the port of departi: c, i.e., Suva. This was reported by the doctor to the Premier, who refused to grant pratique, leaving it with the doctor to decide the number of days to remain in quarantine. After leaving the Premier's office the doctor mot the British Consul and informed him that the vessel must remain 15 days in quarantine. The Consul then decided to go to the palace and interview the King. Pleaching the palace gate the sentry on duty presented arms to him and he returned the salute. Being unannounced the sentry asked the Consul to wait till he informed the King. The Consul did not wait, but motioned the sentry aside and proceeded to the palace door, the sentry walking in front of him and finally blocked the Consul's entrance at the door. He, however, passed into the palace Avhere he interviewed the King and asked that pratique be granted. The King replied that during the last epidemic of measles he lost 1000 of his subjects; quarantine regulations must be observed. The Consul made a complaint to the High Commissioner regarding the conduct of the sentry, he deeming,..the. occurrence an insult, and requested the King of Tonga to salute the British flag as an apology. The nobles and chief are much grieved at the construction put upon an apparently trivial occurrence. His Majesty has been requested by all the chiefs to explain the whole affair to His Exeellencv when he arrives here next month.

Good weather prevails; rains have fallen and prospects are now better. The s.s. Hauroto takes a small , shipment of fruit for your port.