A TRIP FROM FIJI TO TONGA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7341, 30 May 1885, Page 1 (Supplement)

A TRIP FROM FIJI TO TONGA.

[fbom ocb own coebespondent.]

Levdka, May 15. The Union Co.'a s.a. Southern Cross (Captain Sparks) having been chartered by the Wesleyan Mission to convey the Beta. Watsford, Rabone, and Langham to Tonga to interview the Government of the Friendly Islands in regard to the unsatisfactory state of affairs existing between their mission and the Government of the above groups, the ateamer left Levuka on Monday, the 26th of April, calling at Buda to land Mr. Griffiths and family, which port she left again on Tuesday morning. Here the Rev. Mr. Gibson, the Wesleyan missionary, interviewed the rev. gentlemen. Arriving at Vuna Point, the following passengers were landed : —Dr. Brower, Mr. Robertson (manager of Holmhurst Sugar Estate), the Rev. Mr. Leggoe, who had made the trip to Levuka and back so as to spend as much time as possible in the company of his friends. The vesiel sailed again at two a.m. for Tonga, and after a fine weather passage, Arrived in Nukalufa at nine a.m. on Friday. The King's palace and his cathedral showed up to great advantage as the port was entered. The authorities soon passed the ship. The deputation having arranged a meeting with the Premier (the Rev. Shirley Baker), proceeded on shore to the Mission House, the Rev. Mr. Moulton being in charge of the Wealeyan interests in these parts. *] must now touch on a few of thS signs of the advancement of this group. On landing the strains of a brass band were wafted to the visitors ears. The stronger learns that this is a Government band under the tuition of Mr, Wilson, who certainly deserves credit for ths way he has brought the natives along. There are three separate bands of twelve performers eaoh. Soldiersjn full drill (which they perform very creditably) are also met with, although the officer in charge does not eeem quite at home in a large pair of boots, when one considers the fact that a pair of trousers are wanting. The palace is at present occupied by the Rev. Mr. Watkin, the King preferring to reside at Vau Van, an island 200 miles distant from Tonga. The oatbedral is well worth seeing, and is a great credit to the architect and to the workmen who did the oarving, &c. The work, I understand, was mostly prepared in Auckland. The revenue of the group is about £24,000. Each resident, either European or native, has to pay a tax of 32s per annum in money, which is found far more convenient than the paying in kind as adopted by Fiji. The only duty enforced is that on spirits, which is not heavy, although the Premier states that a tax of 10 per cent, ad valorem has been sanctioned by the Parliament, but will only be put in force if really required, so that King George's domains are ruled on the free trade system, and the Premier, who really has all the management of the departmental work, deserves great credit for the light charges on shipping visiting the group. At ten p.m. a drnm sounds, which means that all natives are to go to their respective homes.

The Government college is a most creditable institution, and is presided over by Mr. Roberta, who seems to have the work of the institution at heart.

Sailing orders having been received for Monday morning, the vessel proceeded to Vau Vau, the Rev. 8. Baker accompanying the deputation. This port was reached at five p.m. It is the finetfc harbour in the group. Anchoring at six p.m., it was arranged that the King would meet the deputation at seven p.m. The interview only lasted about half an hour.

It was decided to leave at midnight for Haabai, which port was reaohed at one p.m. Here a number of schooners, the property of the natives, were at anchor, besides the German barque Ada Stott and an Amerioan vessel. Traders here complain of the pro* sent troubles making business very dull, as the natives are unsettled, and will not work. They are also very anxious to see steam communication established. A great difficulty in these islands is the Chilian money, traders on many occasions having to pay 10 per cent, to get drafts for it, and at the presont time- some firms have been waiting many months to obtain draflis for Chilian money, so aa to remit to the colonies in payment for goods. This group of islands ie very flat, but the islands are densely covered with oocoanut trees, which are very productive,. Whaling parties are fitted out here.

Weighing anchor at four p.m., the vessel was headed for Nukulufa, Tonga, whioh was reaohed at one p.m. on Thursday, the vessel having been put under easy steam all night. At the reef the pilot, Friday, boarded us. The dusky pilots seem to wish to show their official status by wearing pilot coats, which perhaps may keep the heat out as well as the cold. The following vessels were at anchor :—The John Wesley, Baslier, and Loch Lee, besides several native schooners. Nukulufa might fairly claim to be called the City of Bells, for on Sunday, what with the Tonga Free Church, Wesleyan, and Roman Catholic belle ringing, a person feels inclined to parody a verse of Tennyson's poem on the Balaclava Charge. The Catholics are building a fine cathedral of coral limestone. Near it is to be seen a Mew Zealander in the shape of a very large kanri log, whioh drifted ashore. It once apparently belonged to one of the Auokland timber kings, Mr. G. Holdship, as it is branded G. H., and had probably gone adrift from Whangaroa. Several suoh loga have found their way to these islands.

Dr. A. Buokland, one of the old Grammar Sohool boys, acts ai medical man to the group. He finds the climate of these islands suits his health, and certainly it is far before the Fiji group »s regards climate. The doctor seems wrapped up in his profession, and it seems likely that he will soon have cured all the natives of those horrible sores to whioh they are so subject. He feels the want of a hospital, as he finds it inconvenient performing all operations on his kitchen table.

Whilst the Cross was at Tonga, Mil. Baker met with an accident, having turned her ankle whilst going off her verandah to their carriage. The deputation having finished thais mission, the vessel started at 8.30 it.in. on Friday for Levuka, with a fine fair wind. As to what the rev. gentlemen have done, and how they have succeeded, time will tell; bat one fact is certain, that their mission has not been a failure, and though at present they have not accomplished all they would wish, they have leduco-J the matterji iia dispute into a nutans 1 .!, and by fcheiir courteous manner have bej met by Rev. S. Baker, the representative t : the. Government, in the same pleas&a i wa,.;-- ; *ad all pointn have been discussed in a friendly spirit. Ax> all being well, the Southern Cross will finish her mission cruise by arriving at Levuka on Sunday morning. '. It might not be out of place to make a few remarks oa the gentleman who formed! the deputation. The Rev, Mr. atsford, who saw mission life in Fiji 40 years ago, and can relate seme stirring and amusing stories of his itaistionary experience, now oooupiea a pulpit in Victoria, and from his large and varied information is a most suitable person for the work he has just been engaged upon. Not allowing himielf to be led away by any claptrap that might be brought to him, he tried to smooth matters over and to carry his point in ft Christian spirit The Rev. Mr. Babone, who occupies a pulpit' in New South Wales, is a man of few words, and the only one of the deputation that upeaka Tongese, he haviiug been a missionary in the Friendly Group some years ago. He is a person not likely to be easily biassed, and bis advice when given ia to the point. The Rev. F. Langham, who may be called the Fijian Missionary, as he has been stationed at the Fiji for the last 27 years, would work well with such men as Messrs. Watiford and Kabone. ; - •^ ; - ; - :i -' ■'- "i>.«iU'-«■■.

Now, as regards the Premier of Tonga, the Rev, Shirley W. Baker, whatever, hie failing* are, no one who has visited the group can help admitting that he has advanced the Friendly Group in many ways of civilisation, and it has been no easy matter to do this, you may say, single-handed.