DEATH OF PRINCESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21480, 2 May 1933, Page 10

DEATH OF PRINCESS

BURIAL IN TONGA BODY CARRIED BY LINER WREATHS FROM AUCKLAND Tho body of Princess Fusibala of Tonga, who died in a private hospital in Sydney on April 21, is being taken to Suva on the Niagara, which arrived at Auckland yesterday. It will bo conveyed to Nukualofa, the Tongan sort of Government, aud interred in the Tombs of Kings. Princess Fusibala was a daughter of the late King Georgo 11. of Tonga and a step-daughter of tho reigning queen, Salote. Sho was only 20 years of ago and was on a visit to Sydney when sho developed a serious illness, from which she did not recover.

Tho simplest arrangements for the carriage of tho body have been made on the liner, as it was tho express wish of Queen Salote that all ceremony should bo reserved for tho peoplo of Tonga. Several Auckland friends of tho Royal Family of Tonga visited tho liner yesterday and asked permission to view the coffin. Wreaths sent by friends of tho dead princess wero not permitted to lio near the coffin, as this is contrary to Tongan custom. They included a floral emblem from the agents for the Tongan Government in New Zealand, Spedding, Limited, and another from tho Methodist Church, of which tho princess was a member. Travelling on tho Niagara is the Prince Consort, tho Hon. TJiliame (William) Tugi, who is Premier of Tonga. He was paying a visit to Australia when the death of the Princess occurred. Tho Tongan Premier stated yesterday that it was tho wish of Queen Saloto that no ceremonial should be performed until tho arrival of the body at Nukualofa. It was possible that the Queen would announce a month's mourning.

Princess Fusibala's death is the first Royal death in the Tongan Kingdom since that of King George 11. in 1918. The flag of Tonga, which is rod, with a white square in the centre containing a red cross, was flying half-mast from the offices of the Tongan Government's agents in Beach Road yesterday.