TONGAN SINGERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 25, 31 January 1928, Page 9

TONGAN SINGERS.

CHOIR FOR AUSTRALIA.

CONCERT IN AUCKLAND.

The first choir to leave Tonga 5s travelling by the Aorangi to Sydney. It is the choir of the Methodist Mission College, an institution which provides a secondary education for 100 residential pupils. The principal of the college, the Rev. A. H. Wood, who is in charge of the choir, told a representative of the "Star" that the Tongan lads are apt scholars. The college receives them on examination from the primary schools, and they take their secondary course in English.

On leaving the college, Mr. Wood said, many of the lads become native teachers and some enter the ministry, and the work of the mission field. Life in the islands proceeds very happily, the conductor added. For some time there had been a dry period and trade was accordingly slacker, but this year's crop of nuts was said to be good, and a prosperous season was opened for. Mr. Woo<\ says the Tongans are a likeable people and exceedingly loyal.

As often occurs in the Pacific, an exciting experience befell the thirty members of the choir while they were travelling from Nukualofa to Suva in order to join the Aorangi. Two hundred miles out the crank shaft of the Tongan Government's motor ship, Hifofua, broke, and the remaining 250 miles had to be covered under sail. Fortunately the wind held, and being ketch-rigged, the staunch little vessel reached port in time for the anxious party to make their connection with the Aorangi.

After spending about three months as guests of the Methodist Missions Board in New South Wales and Victoria, the party may spend a brief time in New Zealand before returning to their island home.

Included in the party is Prince TaufaAhua. His mother, the Queen of Tonga, actively supports the choir, and the young Prince is one of the singers.