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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

Further to the already generous assistance provided by Foreign nations in the aftermath of Cyclone Hina have been the following assistance:-

T$320,000 from Australia for plastic sheeting for temporary roof repairs and for equipment to help restore electricity supplies in both Tongatapu and 'Eua.

T$22,000 pledged by Germany

4 electricity line mechanics, fully equipped truck, electricity supplies, 300 tarpaulins, 500 blankets and grant offers up to NZ$12,000 to replace village water tanks, and NZ$7,000 towards the clean-up costs from New Zealand.

T$36,000 from the Republic of China

T$24,000 pledged by the UN Department for Humanitarian

T$59,000 from the Government of Japan.

2 x diesel generators from the French Government

Foreign assistance is also being matched by local sharing of resources. The National Council of Churches collected assistance from local congregations including foodstuffs and clothes. Local transport organisers such as 'Uliti Uata's shipping are providing free transportation of the assistance goods.

Prime Minister Baron Vaea of Houma, on behalf of His Majesty and people, conveyed "heartfelt gratitude and deep appreciation to all foreign governments and international organisations for their thoughtfulness, immediate responses, and … assistance." He also expressed gratefulness to them for considering the provision of further assistance to the Kingdom.

A number of songwriters and performers have noted dissatisfaction with Radio Tonga's continued broadcasts and sales of songs without compensation. Radio Tonga currently broadcasts songs during the day, charges advertisers $1 to use songs in advertising, and sells tapes at $6.50. Tavake Fusimalohi, General Manager of Radio Tonga says the organisations behaviour is legal because the recent copyrights laws do not apply, implying Radio Tonga's activities only exist for recordings prior to the Copyright Laws.

The General Manager advise disgruntled persons to seek legal advice or take legal proceedings.

Councils solicited by the paper (Fatai Vaihuu, Palu Taufaeteau) to comment on the situation agree that Radio Tonga's behaviour is most likely illegal.

A document spelling out some T$11 million in aid from the European Union was signed in Nuku'alofa on April 4 to provide grants for 1995-2000 under the IV Lome Convention. According to a release from the delegation's office in Nuku'alofa, the National Indicative Programme allocates about T$7 million to support agriculture, fisheries, and tourism in Vava'u. The remaining T$4 million will be spent on small community-based projects, private-sector and human resource-development, and a programme in the Niuas to facilitate income-generation.

Moore Electronics with the full blessings of the Principal's Committee and Intercollege Sports Committee initiated the first sponsorship programme for up and coming atheletic stars through cash and support program. Lisiate Teulilo's, Managing Director of Moore Electronics, initiatives have been praised by Principals as a much needed boost for parents and pupils wishing to pursue sports activities. The direct sponsorhip of athletes has been praised in supplying the athlete with funds and support programs that have previously been siphoned by sporting bodies such as the Tonga Amateur Sports Association.

Lisiate Teulilo rickyt@tongatapu.net.to approached the Teufaiva Fitness Centre's manager Kalauta about his promotion initiative and together they approached the Principal's Committee and Intercollege Sports Committee who collectively welcomed the opportunity for junior athletes to make a living from support programs. Apart from direct cash offerings, Lisiate Teulilo's Moore Electronics with Sony have donated products and support services together with the Teufaiva Fitness Centre. Moore Electronics and Sony sponsor many activities at the Teufaiva Fitness Centre.

Christian churches of all denominations celebrated Saturday 12^th the 200^th year from the landing on Tongan soil the first missionaries from the London Missionary Society to bring Christianity to Tonga. Although these early pioneers met mistreatment, death and evacuation, the celebrations were a reminder of the many Tongan missionaries who ventured overseas with some dieing at their post, a fruit of the work initiated by these first missionaries.

Semi Vete of Vete Holdings is near completion of a brewery which will hopefully produce local alcohol products such as beer, Rum, Gin, Whiskey, Bourbon according to the proprietor. The construction is expected to be completed in April or May. Production is expected to be 600 litres a week while a market is being developed for the products.

Ms Diane Warner, proprietor of Warner Accountancy and Financial Services in Ma'ufanga, and Mr. Viliami Pohiva of the accounting department of the International Dateline Hotel are consulting with Junior Achievement companies being set up at St. Joseph's Business College and 'Ahopanilolo Technical College. The two have volunteered their time to the project because they believe in the importance of education for youth, especially in business and economics, which includes decision making, leadership, and work-force readiness skills.

Junior Achievement-Tonga's goals are to share information gleaned from industry experts with students.

• British Consulate gave the Toa-ko-Ma'afu rugby team a new set of guernseys and socks.
• Dedication service completed for the sea water gas-extraction programme.
• Intercollege sports continues after the second day was rained out.
• FSP International will conduct its annual general meeting in Nuku'alofa from April 14-16. The meeting will see the hand-over of the regional office by the parent organisation to FSP Internataional and will discuss localisation of regional programming.
• Airport hotel construction under way, again. After being on hold for a very long time, Thai construction workers--22 men and four women--began final work this week on the Fua'amotu International Airport.

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