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BUS AND TAXI FARE RISES

A new Tongatapu taxi fare of T$1.50 per kilometer with the addition of 40 seniti for every kilometer thereafter, and 30 seniti bus fare for the first 2 kilometers and another 35 seniti when passing that same distance, have been effective since Monday 24th of July. The Competent Authority announced this after receiving letters of complaints from taxi and bus drivers in Tongatapu and the outer islands due to the rise in the price of diesel fuel. Prior to the raise in fares, taxi passengers paid T$1.30 per kilometer and 35 seniti for every kilometer thereafter and for buses 26 seniti for every two kilometers and 30 seniti for every two thereafter.

JAPANESE VOLUNTEERS

Five Japanese Overseas Corporation Volunteers are undergoing two and a half weeks training and Tongan Language studies in the JICA/JOCV office in Nuku'alofa before taking up two-year posts on August 9.

NUKU'ALOFA TO HOST INTERNATIONAL WEEK

NEW HALL FOR GPS TATAKAMOTONGA

Noble Ma'atu opened a new hall for the Government Primary School in Tatakamotonga on July 21st. It is a 60 x 20 ft hall and it cost T$18,210.48. This new hall was funded by the Kolokakala Kava - Tonga club in Tatakamotonga, together with the help of the school's PTA. A new carpet for the hall's floor was donated by 'Esau Namoa, Tongatapu's number 3 representative of the people to the Parliament. 

TONGA PARLIAMENT 2 WEEKS HOLIDAY

The Parliament of Tonga will have a two weeks holiday in which its duration will the members of the Parliament are supposed to carry out their annual visit to the Group's Outer Islands. These islands include the Vava'u, Ha'apai, 'Eua and the Niuas groups. The visit will be done during the King's visit to the North Islands for their Agricultural Show. Reports on how the Government and Non- Government Sectors are required to be handed in at the end of the visit. Right now in the Parliament, they are working on reports submitted by the various Government Sectors in the Kingdom.

TONGA IS FREE FROM THE GERM THAT CAUSES POLIO.

Of the 37 countries in the West Pacific in which Tonga is included, Tonga is proved to be free of that specific unknown germ that causes the disease Polio. A form from the WHO is waiting to be signed so as to testify to the fact that germs concerned with this specific disease are completely destroyed. Reports say that the last time this disease was in the Kingdom was 3 years ago.

DEVELOPMENTS AND PEACE.

The honorable Minister of Finance, Dr. Tutoatasi Fakafanua has returned from a very successful meeting in the Niue group. In this meeting the representatives from the Islands were very concerned with how the sources of development interact with each other. It was also made known that political development have so much to do with PEACE. Economic Development and Social Development are interdependent on each other. They were really concerned with letting the Religious leaders and the Individual Business sectors' leaders know that their helps are much needed for developing the political status of one country. Not only that but there were also concerns with the land. Results of this meeting will be confirmed in the coming meeting of the Forum leaders in Kiribati by the month of October.

LEIOLA DUTY FREE'S SUCCESS

Leiola Duty Free has obtained a profit of T$1 million+ from their 1999 sales. This is a 12% increase from the 1998 sales. 'Etoni Tonga stated that they have started using new law for their budget. With that new law they hoped for the best and now they can see their hope in action. They still do hope for the better in the coming future. They presented T$300,000 to the Minister of Finance as the Government of Tonga's share in their profit. The Leiola Duty Free remains with T$700,000+ for its own, taxes excluded. 

HEALTH CONCERN

The Director of Health for the Pacific Region will be in Tonga for his first visit here. That would be on Friday the 14th of this month. His visit is aimed to a closer relationship with Tonga. He is appointed to talk to the King as well as the Prime Minister, Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, also to the secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. 'Akosita Fineanganofo. Dr. Sikeriome will be also meeting Tonga's Minister of Health, Dr. Viliami Tangi as well as Laumeesi Malolo for improvement and development plans in agreement with what WHO has established as goals for this new millennium. That is to encourage healthiness and improve the people's point of view on food values.

LAUNCH OF THE MILLENNIUM "KALIA"

Her Royal Highness, Princess Salote Pilolevu Tuita will on behalf of His Majesty launch the Millennium Kalia today, Thursday the 3rd of August. According to the program, it will start with a prayer led by Penisimani Fonua, the acting President of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga. The Chairperson for the Kalia Committee will read the day's bible reading, hte honourable Baron Tuita. The Hymn will be by Mana Latu. The day's Master of Ceremony is Kula he Ako. The welcoming speech will be conducted by Masaso Paunga, the Minister for Labour and Commerce. The King will be also having a speech to mark the day. Again Masaso will do the thanksgiving speech. Entertainments will be done by the Tonga Teachers' Training College. There will be Kava Party at night time where the public will be allowed to go on board the kalia, and also to raise fund for the Kalia itself for it will be traveling to the Northern Islands with the King for the Agricultural Shows. 

A RISE IN TYPHOID.

There is a rise in the Typhoid Disease. Concerns are for water distribution and the ways Tongan people make their food.  

RAN OUT OF 1 AND 2 CENTS.

It has been confirmed from the Reserve Bank that there is a shortness in the Kingdom's 1 and 2 seniti (cents). A problem arises in here since the Businesses will be finding it hard to make changes exact. There is request from the Reserve Bank to the public for exchanging 1 and 2 seniti for other money.in 

SUCCESSFUL LAUNCHING

The launching of the Millenium Kalia yesterday (Thursday 3rd August)by Her Royal Highness Princess Pilolevu, was a real success. His Majesty graced the day with a speech. In his speech he made sure the people who built the kalia got the thanksgiving they deserve. The King made sure that the Tongan people are aware that this work is very important. He stated that this wirk is very significant since the "kalia" was the only type of transportation that brought the habitants of our islands to our islands, and not only the habitants but development as well. The King has a vision for this "Kalia" - to let it sail over to our neighborhood countries so as to encourage and make our Pacific people see this work for themselves. After the launching of the Kalia, it was followed by a Kava Party so as to raise fund to help in maintaining the "Kalia" and its coming voyages.  

IN VICTORY

The first Camel Trophy Race for this new millennium has come to its finishing tape, at Samoa and South Africa decided to claim the victory. France took the second place and Greece took hold of the third place. In accordance to the person in charge of this race, Mr. Richard Monfort, this race was a very successful one as well as a very lovely one. Mr. and Mrs. Monfort presented a lifesaving boat to His Majesty the King of Tonga in the Royal Palace yesterday to mark the first Camel Trophy Race of the new millennium that is here. 

BURNT DOWN WITH NO LOST LIFE.

A house 50 x 30 ft was burnt down to ashes this morning in the village of Kolonga. The owners are the Mr. Soane and Mrs. Simaima Pateli. Luckily, no life was lost as this is due to a brave rescue done by the wife. It is reported that the house was starting to go on fire from electricity when Simaima was busy making tapa cloth at their backyard. All this time, their 6 months old grand-daughter was asleep inside the house. A girl from the house across the road gave the alarming call and very fortunately, Siamima worked fast enough to save their grand-daughter's life. The fire department got there late. The head of the Fire Department, Poutele Tu'ihalamaka moved that there should be a branch of the Fire Department in Mu'a. This will be of advantages to the Eastern District.

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Disclaimer: Please make use of the information provided at your own risk. Although we make some effort to faithfully transcribe information we recieve we do not perform any research as to the validity of the information we recieve. Do not invest resources solely on the information provided by these releases.

News for this newsletter is gathered from available print news publications, conversations with locals and non-print broadcasts.

For a more 'researched' report on current events in Tonga, please find yourself a copy of the local media releases. Reference to Media Publications are in our Media pages. Of course you can always ask for specifics on the discussion forums.