A TONGAN PICNIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16300, 5 August 1916, Page 1 (Supplement)

A TONGAN PICNIC.

HONOUR FOR SOLDIERS.

BT TF. T-ARA

In Tonga all is sunshine and genial living twelve months in the year. In the fierce, wild scurry of modernity, where everything moves at express speed, where Mars swings a bared sword and khaki is the dominating colour of life, this tiny, sun-bathed kingdom is a garden of rest, a weary man's Paradise. It is good to forget, on occasion, the things that happen, particularly the things of battle, the roar of guns, the lonely, wet watches cm warships, the pestilence and ruin. And at limes it is good to be reminded of these things, that men are fighting for our heritage and the honour of a pledged word. To we on the sunny side of the street came such a reminder 1n the shape of a party of New Zealand soldiers dropped in our little Eden in connection with German trading matters. This was an event, a day from which to date time. So we added another notch in the sticky whereon is marked the great happenings in our lives.

It is jthe right thing to entertain the strangers within the gates. Living up to this creed, the. soldiers have been feted and made much of by the Tongan people. Of all the gaieties provided for the entertainment of the soldiers the climax of hospitality was reached in a picnic given by the Hon. T. B. Tuivakano. Premier of Tonga, at Xukunuku, a ground with historic associations for the Toucans. It was here, in the early days, when the three groups of islands in the kingdom were under separate chiefs, a decisive battle was fought, at the termination of which King George T. enthroned himself and assumed control of the entire group. The old trenches, 20 to 30 feet deep, are still in existence. On this war-scarred ground the New Zealand soldiers were entertained by a direct descendant of the defending chief. Verily a fitting place for the pleasures of the sons of Mars. Sunshiny Happiness. A picnic in Tonga is a. thing to remember. There is something different about it. ion assemble in traps, shuffle into order, and away down the white road in a long procession like some giant insect sprawling over the land. Past plantations, through scrub, under palm trees, they sweep, and reach a clearing in the tropic bush, where active preparation has been going on for days. In the centre of the space is a bamboo pagoda, palmthatched and with a mat-strewn floor. Grouped about the middle-piece are long pavilions with flower-festooned waJls and perfumed garlands decorating the supporting poles. It is here that the visitors recline at ease, waited on by pretty girls bearing freshly-plucked fruit and the drinks of the country. At a distance the smoke from iinm (oven) tires rises slowly in the air. and figures, gaily clad, are busy with the preparation of luncheon. Everybody laughs. The passing Tongan greets you. "Malolelei. and smiles, such a smile. It is an expression of "I-am-glad-to-see you." and open friendship in one. "i on are presented with a "sisi," a streamer of perfume and flowers, and the pretty girl who ties it around your neck sparkles her brown eyes and flashes her perfect teeth charmingly. You fee! like you felt on the night of the party. It is a brilliant, sunshiny, condensed happiness that spreads a cloak over the gathering. A Native Dance. In the cleared space a " mauluulu."' a native dance, is in progress. Double rows of gaudily-i men. double rows of gaudily-i lothed women, take up their positions. One of the performers < ban's a bar or two. and it is taken up by the company to an accompaniment of handclapping and foot-stamping delivered in perfect time. The deep bass voices of the males, the rythmic movements of the body and the graceful hand actions, is a pleasing combination. For 10 minutes the dance goes on. and then another company is brought forward with different movements, different dressing, and different make-up. A gay splash of colour, a soothing volume of sound and dainty movements constitutes a manlu ulu. A Tempting Lunch. ! It is lunch-time. Woven leal" meats are brought to you, strewn with the finest of tropical products. Snow-white yams and golden kumaras rub sides with a spitted sucking-pig and a roast turkey. Fish, fresh from the sea that morning, nestles in a dish of greenery ; breadfruit, served with a, syrup and sago sauce, is food fit for a gourmet: fruits are there in galore. You top off with a French liqueur. Food fc.T the gods 1 Yea. verily. There is a speech of thanks, and from the distance comes a long-drawn cry. A crowd of people are approaching, bearing finelywoven mats, delicate fans, and huge sheets of tappa cloth. These presents are piled in a heap in front of the guests, and later on are shared by the diners. The Tongan desires you to take a momento of the occasion. The Luck of the Tongan. 1 hen there are more dances; some with a. dash of fight in them, reminiscent of a. haka. others soothing in their beauty, and still others noted for the harmonious chanting. The afternoon wears on. Soon the horses are hitched to the vehicles, and you jog gently back to town.

And such, my brethren of the cities, was the picnic provided for the New Zealand soldiers by the Premier of Tonga and some of bis people. \,,d did the ""boys" enjoy it? Well -

"How long have you been here 1' asked one of the soldiers. ' Three years." I replied, truthfully. l on lucky fellow,'' was his comment