11

A.—4

are well dressed, happy, and contented. The women are adept at dressmaking, and most of them possess sewing-machines. There are schools in every village, and every Tongan is educated. The people are fond of music and singing. The men, unlike the Samoans, are fairly industrious, and do not make drudges of their womenfolk. Tonga is, in fact, an outstanding example of missionary enterprise and success. While appreciating all the virtues of the Tongan —his Parliament, his laws, his police system, his love of law and order, his educational system, and so on — one must never forget that behind it all is the British official, without whom the whole system would crash ; and, to their credit be it said, the Tongan rulers know it. Attempts have been made in the past to eliminate the British official, always with disastrous results. At present the portfolios of Justice, Finance, Public Works, and Audit are filled by white officials. Land. All land is vested in the King, who may grant inheritances to the nobles, of whom there are thirty-two in the Group. Land cannot be sold. Conveyances are not recognized in the Courts of the kingdom. Leases of land may be granted to foreigners, but no lease is valid unless the consent of the Minister of Lands is first obtained ; neither is any sale, lease, or transfer valid unless made out on the prescribed form and in the name of the King. Church lands must be used for religious purposes only. On reaching the age of sixteen every male Tongan who has not inherited land is entitled to receive 8 -} acres of land, called a " tax abi," and a village allotment, either from the noble on whose estate he is residing or from the Crown. He has to pay to the noble or the Crown, as the case may be, the sum of 4s. per annum for such allotment. No Tongan may hold more than one allotment, except with the consent of the landlord of the estate —that is, the noble, or the Minister of Lands. Forfeiture of allotments can be made only on account of non-payment of landtax or rent for twelve months. All holders of a tax abi must plant the holding in coconuts, and be responsible for the cleanliness of the area. These areas are inspected by the Director of Agriculture, or by his inspector, periodically. A fine is imposed for non-cleanliness. Area. The total area of the Group is 162,470 acres, approximately, comprised of — Tongatabu Group : Government land, 9,500 acres (approximately) ; nobles' land, 56,500 acres (approx.) : total, 66,000 acres (approx.). Eva : Government land, 21,300 acres ; outlying islands, 1,200 acres. Haapai Group, 28,569 acres ; Nomuku Croup, 3,035 acres ; Vavau Croup, 34,759 acres ; Niuafooa, 6,000 acres ; Niuatobutobu, 1,600 acres. Poll-tax. Every Tongan attaining the age of sixteen must pay a poll-tax of £l 16s. The following taxes are also collected : For an entire stallion, £2 per annum ; for a gelding or mare, 4s per annum ; for a dog, Is. per annum. Trading. Trading licenses for a wholesale firm are, in the town, £14 4s. per annum, or, in the country, £10. A retail-trading license is £5 per annum in the town and £4 per annum in the country. A baker's or butcher's license in the town is £2 per year ; in the country it is £1 4s. per year. A publichouse license is £20 per annum. Permits to purchase intoxicating liquors must be obtained by all Tongans, PacificIslanders, or Indians. About one hundred permits are issued to Natives annually, but only to persons of thirty-five years of age or over.