970403

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

Emergency aid in the wake of Cyclone Hina is being provided by the governments of Britain, Japan, and France. On Wednesday, 10 mobile emergency electricity generators, valued at T$60,000 were handed over on behalf of the Britich government. The British gift, handed over to the Director of Works by the British High Commissioner.

The Tokyo government announced the same day through its Embassy in Suva, Fiji, that it would provide tents plastic sheets, and other emergency aid materials to the value of T$59,000 as a humanitarian gesture taking into account the scale of disaster and in light of friendly relations between the two countries.

A French cargo plane was on its way to Tonga at mid-week with US$100,000 worth of tents, tarpaulins and bankets provided as emergency aid by the French government in response to an appeal for help by His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV to overseas countries.

Of urgency is the need for temporary shelters -tents, tarpaulins and blankets. As readers would be aware, many private homes were damaged and it is hoped that at the end of the day Government may assist with cylone resistant houses or a cash grant to assist.

Water supply to the villages were affected due to the disruption in the power supply. Portable Generators have allowed for localised electricity generation while new power poles and new lines are strung from the main power grid.

Education: Many of the school buildings suffered severe damages dislocating students from their classrooms. There is immediate need for repair and reconstruction work for many of the schools (Damages estimated at $2.9 m)

Electricity: damages estimated at 1.1m

Agriculture: a Replanting scheme i e seedlings etc.

Some Nations have donated tarpaulins, tents, blankets generators others provided cash contributions with indication of their preference for utilisation for eg to assist with sanitation and anti-insect campaign (Health) or towards the repair of water tanks in the villages. Worst hit (according to the report) were the villages of Kolonga Manuka and Ha'asini or/ to fund a classroom.

Over 10,000 participants joined together with seven brass bands, the Royal Family, Ministers of the Crown, Nobles fo the Realm and church leaders to celebrate the Easter message in the annual March for Jesus. His Majesty addressed the gathering, recalling the day that King Tupou I dedicated the Kingdom to God, maintaining that ever since then miracles have blessed Tonga. The Monarch pointed out that through God's guiding hands Tonga had been safe and secure through two world wars.

A prevalent message of the day was the proactive involvement of Tongans in International Missionary work. The Kingdom is said to be fifth in the per capita number of missionaries serving overseas.

• Tonga High takes delivery of a new 65-passenger bus purchased in Australia with funds during their Brass Band Tour. The bus is intended as transportation for the band and for conference participants from overseas.
• New Fence for Tonga High School underconstruction after the Crown Prince lays the cornerstone March 29. The new fance, costing T$30,000 will face Male'kula extending from the Queen Salote Memorial Hall and Queen Salote College and funded by the class of 1962.
• Ms. Sonia Havili has been appointed as sales executive for Polynesian Airlines to help develop the enthnic and tourist trade between the Kingdom and the New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
• Six wheelchairs and 30 bedpans paid for through money raised in Australia were presented for use at Vaiola Hospital on March 27. The funds were reaised by the Tonga community in Sydney with assistance of Polynesian Airlines, who provided return tickets for two to Tonga in a raffle.

[For a piece of the Kingdom, and Your Own Domain Name,
http://www.tonic.to easily the Tonic.to Domain Name headaches.]