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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
Tonga's first Catholic Bishop laid to rest
The Most Rev. John Herbert Rodgers, first bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese of Tonga and Niue, was laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery at Ma'ufanga this week. Bishop Rodgers first came to Tonga (as a priest) on Feb. 23, 1941 as headmaster of St John's College, a former boys school now combined with 'Apifo'ou College as a coeducational institution.
On June 29, 1953, "Fr. Soane Hupeto" Rodgers was appointed bishop, serving until May 1972 when he took up another appointment in Rarotonga.
1996 Census Analysis in progress
The census data has been collected and is still being tabled/evaluated by the government Statistics Bureau and some of the preliminary data that has been released is listed below:
The final census results are scheduled for publication in April
A new headmaster for Fiji's Catholic Seminary
The Rev. Fr Line Folaumoeloa of Ha'ateiho has taken up the post of headmaster at the Roman Catholic Pacific Regional Seminary in Suva, Fiji. Appointed for three years, Fr Folaumoeloa joins two other Tongan priests, Rev Frs Seluini 'Akau'ola and Penisimani Folaumoetu'i currently lecturing at the seminary.
Ministry of Police appointments
Four officers have been promoted by the Ministry of Police
Australian High Commission appoints a new First Secretary
Mr. Bill Pennington has taken up duties as First Secretary at the Australian High Commission with responsibility for his country's aid programme. Formerly in charge of AusAID's Pacific Programme from Canberra, Mr. Pennington brings experience in project evaluation, policy development and student management. Mr. Pennington replaces Mr. Bill Trewartha.
Police Officer dies in club brawl
Probation constable Anthony Strand Holani, 25, of Kolomotu'a received severe, critical head injuries Sunday morning. Second son of Livai and Vaa Holani, Anthony was laid to rest at Telekava cemetary on Monday Jan. 13.
First Road Traffic Fatality for 1997
Siope Filimoehala Lui, aged 3 years of Ma'ufanga died Jan. 11 when hit by a van on Vuna Road. Siope was laid to rest on Tuesday. The police have charged the driver with murder.
Unfair Criticism of Tonga by Overseas Countries
Minister of Police Clive Edwards declares unfair the treatment of Tongans wishing to travel overseas in a rebuttal to apparently continuing criticism of his intervention preventing Tongan entry to New Zealand journalist Mike Field last year. Apparently directed at the Taimi 'o Tonga and its editor Kalafi Moala, the Minister asks why the paper does not print similar stories where Foreign countries have prevented Tongan citizens from entering even when these Tongan nationals have previously visited (and departed within the required time) and carried current entry visas. "They make no mention of these occurrences."
Export Agreement between Tonga and Fiji
According to an advertisement, an export agreement has been reached between Tonga and Fiji allowing growers in Tonga to export at least sixteen crops to Fiji without duty. The Tonga Development Bank has investigated market possibilities for Tonga growers in Fiji and have a report specifying their findings. Products of high potential are potatoes, and kava. Other products with potential are garlic, watermelon, lettuce, chilli, and tomatoes.
Tonga Trade - A new government initiative
Hoping to model the success of government initiated Trade organisations such as AusTrade, the Tonga Government opened a new office of the Tonga Trade to pursue developing new markets for Tonga based producers. The new organisation is housed at the Fasi facilities of the Ministry of Labour and Commerce but intend to become self-sufficient, self-perpetuating.
The organisation has been made possible through a grant from the Asia Development Bank, intended to improve the economy by improving the private sector. Two consultants from the Asia Development will be in Tonga over the coming months to assist the new organisation.
Cable and Wireless Tonga Plc - BETA testing Full Internet Access
Cable and Wireless Tonga are currently BETA testing Tonga's first direct Internet connection ISP. C&W have set up, with the assistance of Warp Ltd (http://www.warp.com) a satellite Internet connection. C&W's internet connection goes directly from Tonga to California at 64K (through a 2MB multi-plex link).
Cable and Wireless have not yet finalised their pricing policy and are still working with BETA customers on what services will be offered. The Unix based system was configured during the 2nd week of January, and the satellite connection was released Sunday Jan. 12th. There was no lack of excitement for the small team that put the system together, when the first PING responded with a valid connection to San Francisco.
Services currently being tested by C&W include PPP dial-up accounts accessing FTP, WWW, and other TCP/IP based services as well as UUCP connections. Recruited customers are testing on Macintosh and Windows (3.1, 3.11, 95, NT) workstations causing a 'rush' for modems.
News Shorts
'Emeline Tuita has started at her post as Consulate General of Tonga in San Francisco. 'Emeline previously worked with Foreign Affairs and the Vava'u Development Committee
Dr. Hu'akavameiliku will attend the UN Scientific and Technical Committee to be held in Paris Jan 20-24 as the appointed representative for the Pacific.
Five members of the board of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission have been re-appointed for three years by Cabinet on Jan. 8. These board members join the Minister for Finance and Commission Manager, and Prime Minister. The re-appointed board members are: Mr. Taniela Tufui, Chief Secretary and secretary to Cabinet; Mr. Lemeki Malu, GM Tonga Telecom; Rev. Liufau Saulala; Mr. Ronald Vea.
John J. Burlison, Director of the British Executive Service Overseas, will be visiting the kingdom Jan 18-23. The organisation provides assistance in management, commerce, administration. The organisation locates specialists in their field abroad from between two to six weeks, paying the travel expenses but requiring the host organisation to provide accommodations and living expenses. Over 3,000 professionals have registered with the organisation, the majority retired others prepared for the short-term work.
Tonga's Rugby teams will be very busy this year, participating in International 7's, 10's, and 15's tournaments, according to the Rugby Committee secretary Drew Havea. The key focus is qualifying rounds, 15's, for the up coming World Cup. The first opponents will be the Cook Islands at Teufaiva stadium June 14, followed by Fiji June 21. Meanwhile trials are under way to select the National 7's team to play in Western Samoa Feb 14-15, in Fiji March 7-8, and the famous Hong Kong 7's March 21-23.
The National Cultural Centre hosted youths interested in learning Tongan dances between Jan 13-17.
PPEL (Primary Produce Export Ltd.) has closed for business with confusing rhetoric from both sides on the merits of closure, keeping it open.
Advertised Vacancies
Accountant. Cooperative Department, Ministry of Labour,
Commerce and Industries.
Cooperative Assistant, Cooperative Department, Ministry of
Labour, Commerce and Industries.
Trainee Nurse, Ministry of Health.
Accountant. Inland Revenue Department, Ministry of Finance
Shop Assistant. Tonga Timber Ltd.
Loan Officers (5 at head office, 2 at Vava'u branch), Tonga
Development Bank.
Business Advisory Officer (1 Vava'u), Tonga Development Bank
Computer Programmer, Tonga Development Bank
Economist, Tonga Development Bank.
Applications are available at the nearest Tonga Development Bank
Office or telephone 23-333 or fax 22-755 no later than Jan 31.
1997.
MBf Bank have posts available in their Accounts, Banking Operations, and Computer sections.
Accounting Graduate, Senior Accountant. 'Uta'atu & Associates.
Clerk, Philcorp Ltd.
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