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A collection of news-briefs from The Tonga Chronicle, Lao & Hia, Taimi 'o Tonga, Ko e Kele'a, Radio Tonga. For more details of these stories, feel invited to buy a paper from one of the locations mentioned in our media pages http://www.tongatapu.net.to/tonga/news/media/default.htm

'Akilisi Pohiva, number 1 people's representative from Tongatapu, and Teisina Fuko, number 2 people's representative from Ha'apai are in trouble again. Friday afternoon last week they were arraigned, held in custody, questioned until Saturday night and are likely to be charged for offensive behaviour and malice.

It is understood that 'Akilisi Pohiva's opinions published in the Sepitema-'Okatopa release of the "Ko e Kele'a" has lead to the precipitation of government action against him and MP Teisina Fuko. In his article, Mr. Pohiva questions rebutts statements of the King in another publication "Matangi Tonga" regarding the legitimacy of the people's representatives. Mr. Pohiva continued his rebuttal by bringing into question the legitimacy of the crown's appointments to government ministries, as well as to the titles of nobility.

Explosive Fishing continues…

Some fishermen are still using explosive to kill fish, is a report from the Government Fisheries Department. This fishing practise has been illegal since 1989 although law breakers are hard to find, and catch. Fisheries are concerned because of the ecological damage caused by this fishing technique and the potential poisoning that is known to occur as an after effect.

A death earlier this year from food poisoning is believed to have been caused by Ciquatera, an outcome of explosive fishing.

Charges against Taimi 'o Tonga editor dismissed

Mr. 'Eakalafi Moala, NZ based editor of Taimi 'o Tonga, charged with wrongful representation in a passport application in 1988 had both charges dismissed by the Magistrate. The Government accused the plaintiff of willfully misrepresenting his US citizenship when applying for a Tongan passport in 1988, the court however found that the government did not have a case as no documentary evidence was presented to prove that the plaintiff lied to the government on his application.

Pea wreaps harvest of ex-patriots

Pea received a 3,000 gallon water-storage tank donated by Pea villagers residing in New Zealand. The cheque for $2,299 was presented by Mr. Sifa Latu to Mr. Va'inga Toumu'a, secretary of the town water committee. Two water pumps

Restoration work under way for Kauvai Royal Residence

The Royal Residence at Kauvai has been used for years to entertain and receive dignitaries and special guests of the royal family and the nation. The original structure, destroyed in 1995, will be reconstructed as a conference facility for the Royal Family and guests.

The original structures were erected at the bequith of the Queen Salote Tupou II in 1922 by people from Tatakamotonga, a second facility built at the Queen's request in 1954 was completed by Kanokupolu residents

The structure will use frames from cocowood and Norfolk Island pine cut from pines at the Royal residence in Nuku'alofa. Rafter joints are being secured with wooden pegs collected by the Queen from the former Free Wesleyan church (Zion) pulled down over 10 years ago. The interior rafters and poles are decorated with traditional weaving of coconut strands by Matapule Tamale and the people of Niutoua.

Chairman of the Board

Crown Prince Toputo'a, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence has been appointed by Cabinet as chair of both the Tonga Electric Power Board and the Tonga Water board after the positions had become vacant with the retirement of Dr. Sione Tapa.

Tonga's Soccer XI win Polynesian Cup

Tonga's national soccer team defeated Western Samoa 1-0 at Teufaiva Stadium (November 15) to lay claim to the Polynesian Cup and the right to meet the Solomon Islands for a spot in the Oceania's World Cup qualifications next year.

In the Women's division, Western Samoa defeated Tonga 2-0 to win the Women's Polynesian Cup.

	1988-89	89-90	90-91	91-92	92-93	93-94	94-95	95-96
Foreign Remittances	35.5m	46.1m	45.1m	42.6m	55.8m		56.7m	39.7m
Other Income	15.2m	19.7m	28.8m	31.8m	28.5m		37.5m	30.6m

News Shorts

A Billfish tournament is scheduled for Nov. 30 - Dec 4.

NZ donates T$20,000 heavy-duty photocopier to the Ministry of Education for production of national examination papers. Funding came from the NZ Official Development Assistance programme, to help improve quality and equity in education.

Yo-yo has become a craze in Tonga with youth frantically learning new 'spin' moves. The yo-yo's have been marketed by Coca-Cola as part of their promotional campaign.

TASA elects new members to the executive committee. Sitiveni Takaetali Finau is general secretary, Malakai Lomu Sika is treasurer, and Siale Puloka as assistant.

45 Tongan youths will be attending the Pacific School Games Dec 5 - 16

Job Advertising

Organisation: Statistics Department
Position: Computer Operators (temp), Coders (temp)

Organisation: Audit Department
Position: Senior Auditor, Principal Auditor

Organisation: University of the South Pacific (http://www.usp.ac.fj)
Position: Associate Professor in Accounting and Financial Management
Position: Lecturer in Accounting and Financial Management

Organisation: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Position: Agronomy Researcher
Position: Computer programming/maintenance
Position: Women's Development

Organisation: Tonga Family Planning
Position: Health Educator
Salary: T$3,600 per annum

Organisation: KW International
Position: Office Manager

Local Dairy Farmers have joined to license the rights to process milk locally. LDS Liahona, Sitani Mafi Co, Moimoi Vaea, Mataaliku Dairy Farm and the Government have joined forces and have received verbal support from others such as Tupou College and Sia'atoutai College.

Registered vehicles have doubled between 1990 (8,854)to 1995(16,898). Although Police inspectors have not correlated a similar growth in motor vehicle accidents, they are aware that for every house with a vehicle there is at least two unlicensed drivers.
 

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