TONGAN AFFAIRS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 66

TONGAN AFFAIRS.

AUOKLAND, January 30. Mr Hunter, British Consul in Tonga, who is .visiting Auckland, stated in the course of an interview this evening that th* country is now practically free of all ctebt. Tho officials are receiving their salaries regularly every month, and at the end of last year they, had a surplus of about £20,000. Mr Hunter added that &> bosr pital had been built '■ on .Tbngatabu, and that this year-Estlmates-'provided' for two more «uoh insMtotionff, one- at Vavau and th« other, at Uaapat. Thus each of the pimcijjal isjands "would ' nave . up-to-date means of dealing wi% cases of sickness. A contract hacHilso been let to the Ferro Concrete Company of Australasia, for the construction of a ferrq concrete <■ wharf at Vavau, w&h a length of about 2QQft and 1 a width of about 408, '

SHIPPING NEWS. MOVEMENTS "OF OVERSEA STEAMERS. The Turakina arrived at London, front , Wellington, on February 3. j The Tomoana sailed from Auckland on , January 28 'for Las Palmas and London. I The Niwaru, from Wellington, arrived at Wellington on 28th ult. ' The Rimutaka, from London, sailed for i Wellington ou 28th ult. 1 The Athenio, from Wellington, sailed for London op 30th ult. The Whakarua left London on January 31 for Wellington. The Corinthic, from London and Hobart, arrived at Wellington on February, 1* - The Morayshire arrived at- London on. January 31, and the Tongariro" ab Plymouth, from Wellington, on January- 28? Whils at Port Chalmers last week theDelphic loaded the following -Homeward cargo: — 5557 bales wool, 75 bales sheepskins, 92 bales hemp, 142 bags scheelite, 54 casks tallow, 35 pieces jarrah, 67 cases sundries. The Tyser Company's steamer Mimiro, which arrived at London on January 6, from New Zealand, ii timed to leave New TTork or -February 29 for Auokland <md : Wellington, • via Australian ports. • She ; is due at Wellington about. May. -11. - The ship -Loch Gary&, now anchored -in the stiream at Wellington preparatory, to sailing" for: London,- is- loaded «s tallow* :' — From. Wellington— 69o7 bales wool, 3 bale* - sheepskrnsj horns, "33 cases scrap steel, 3 cases brass borings. From Blenheim — 565 bales wool. From Wanganui — 684 bales wool. , From Patea — 355 bales wool. 'The necessary ballast comprises about 500 tons of concentrates. Negotiations are- about to be opened (according, to an exchange) by -the proprietary of a Swedish-Australian line' of steamers with Australian meat exporters for support in an effort to inaugurate £rade in frozen meat with Sweden. Thie is i;he same company which it- was rumoured was- going to extend its, service to New Zealand. The New Zealand ' and South African Company is the local agent. THIS DIRECT STEAMERS. TO ARRIVE. AT AUCKLAND. Indralema, left New York December 8. Lord Sefton left New York November 28. New Orleans left New York December 10. Tokomaru, left London December 17. Oswestry Grange, left Capetown January 1. Marere, left London ary 14. Surrey, left . London January 2L Strathavon, left New- York January 19. j AT WELLINGTON. Nerehana^ left London December 3. ! Ruapehu, left London December 30; due 'February 14. Rakafa. left London January 14. Star of Scotland, sailed January 27. j Arawa, left January 11. .Bimutska, left London January 28. Whakarua, left London .January- 31. . ( AT XTTtfEtTON. Karamea, sailed January 17. AT -TOKT -OKALMWB. Thorpe Grange, due about February 14. Aberlour, left "New York January 2. Hippingbam Grange, due February 10. TO DEPART. noil WELLINGTON. Thorpe Grange, February 22. HOMEWARD BOUND,. Waiwera, left Wellington December 22.1 Turakinn., "left Lyttelton December 21. Cornwall, left. Wellington December 28. Whakatan«, left' Lyttelton December 29. . lonic, left Wellington January 3. Star of Japan, left Wellington January 11.- Crown ; of Galicia, >' left Wellington January 11. 1 Indramayo, " . left Auckland January 21. Fifeshwe, left Wellington January 25. To- . moana, left Auckland January 28. Athenic. j left Wellington January 30. = / "