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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

Cyclone Hina claimed the life of a 65 year-old Pita Fifita of Ma'ufanga on its way through Tongatapu and 'Eua late Sunday evening.

Damage in 'Eua is estimated to be greater than when Cyclone Isaac struck in 1982 while Tongatapu didn't escape unscathed.

Teufaiva Stadium's roof was blown off and cannot be assessed until structural engineers have an opportunity to review effects on the structure.

Parliament House was severely damaged

MV Lofa was driven by fierce winds onto Mounu Reef in Nuku'alofa Harbour.

Vaiola Hospital reports treating a number of patients for injuries primarily caused during the clean-up work rather than the storm.

A serious loss was the damaged caused to Breadfruit trees which during this time of year is an important source of food. The Director for Agriculture has emphasised the need for planting of short term crops to cover the immediate losses while some crops need to be harvested immediately before their roots rot.

8 organisations have been licensed to export pumpkin this season to Japan. Islands Produce Corp., Squash Exports Ltd., Touliki Trading Enterprises, Friendly Islands Marketing Co-operative Society, MBM, Hihifo Multi-purpose Co-operative Society, Ha'amo Growers, and T.F. Paea Exports Co. were announced as licensees for export by the Ministry of Labour, Commerce, and Industries.

Bank fees for idle accounts are being questioned after a parent showed his child's account had been whittled by Bank Fees until there was nothing left in the account. Bank of Tonga fees of $4.00 on a savings account idle for 12 months, compounded by $4.00 in every quarter after the first 12 months idle is thought to be irresponsible when some consumers solicited by the banks to using their savings accounts are unaware of these charges and their effects.

Of special concern are the number of special 'minor accounts' which Banks set up in a drive at primary schools during 1990-1991 for students to bank. The special accounts prevented the child from taking any money out until reaching grade 6. It seems that money placed in these accounts during the Banks drive have been quietly siphoned away by the Bank Fees and Taimi 'o Tonga have been supplied with 30 Bank Books highlighting this problem.

• Alan Figg, 60 of Adelaide, has started as the new General Manager for Morris Hedstrom after being approached by Carpenters, the owners of Morris Hedstrom.
• Sepiuta Fusimalohi Takai of Fo'ui is the Assistant Secretary to the Minister for Labour, Commerce and Industries.

• Medical Supplies and equipment have been donated by the US government. His Majesty thanked the US ambassador Dr. Tili Puloka was appointed to oversee the allocation of the donation expected to arrive in Tonga within the next few months.
• Two year old girl dies in a car blaze. Kalisi Pepa of Tongoleleka died in the car blaze although staff at Niu'ui tried their best to revive the girl after the accident outside the family residence.
• Malapo enjoys a new building for its Primary School courtesy of the Australian Government. The construction work completed Feb. 28 and was recently opened by Australian High Commissioner to Tonga Mr. Andrew Mullin.
• Case against former Treasury Clerk Manamo'ui Kaufusi have been dismissed by Judge William Lewis on account of insufficient evidence.
• 'Aisea Fungavai and Taniela Maea touring with the Sopu Sharks in Australia have been given opportunities to continue their football in Australia by the Wagga Wagga League club.
• Tonga Siliva awarded best high school teacher of computing subjects in annual prize giving. Tonga Siliva teaches at Liahona High School and also assists during his own time many of the computer teachers at other secondary schools.

[ref: http://www.tongatapu.net.to]
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