970515

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

The Bank of Tonga revealed a 1996 T$1,504,238 net profit after-tax in its annual report released on Wednesday, representing a 45% decrease in net profit from T$2,748,488 in 1995.

Chair of the Board Mr. Paul Friend reported decrease largely related to net bad and doubtful debt charges which increased to T$1,547,979 with the addeded effect of reduced operating income.

The Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga's annual Conference, formally closed Wednesday evening with the sealing of the conference minutes and the announcement of the parish appointments for conference ministers and stewards. A copy of the appointments will be published in these pages when print copies are made available.

During the conference proceedings, conference delegates, friends and relatives helped to raise over T$380,000 for Mailefihi/Siu'ilikutapu College as part of the comemoration festivities marking the 50^th year of the college's services to the community. No formal announcement has been made relating to the allocation of the funds, although it is expected that some of the funds will be used to clear long outstanding debt of the college to the Conference. The show of generosity by ex-students and friends of the college was a culmination of many months of preparation which included programmed dances, and singing by ex-students from Vava'u, Ha'apai, Tongatapu, 'Eua, the Niuas, New Zealand, Australia, and Hawai'i.

Rev. Siupeli Taliai, retired minister, ex-principal of Tupou College, former President of the FWC Education Office, and former teacher at the Mailefihi/Siu'ilikutapu College was the Conference Guest of Honor who presided over the Sunday Service. Rev. Dr. Sione 'A. Havea, retired President of the FWC, preached the thanksgiving service during the School's anniversary day.

The King was the guest of honor during the school day celebrations, and conferred degrees (May 9^th) on candidates from Sia'atoutai Theological College. Degree candidates conferred were 'Opeti Fangupo, Sione Kulu, Toni Siosateki, 'Alisi Taipaleti, and Sela Fanua.

Recipients of Diploma in Theology were Finau Halaleva, Musolini Kei, Leimoni Manu, Siosifa Pulu, Taumoha'apai Taufa, Hulita Tu'i'onetoa, and Sione Tupou.

The InterCollege Rugby tournament was won by Tupou High School who became the only undefeated school when it downed Tupou College with a thrilling 9-8 snatched with a late field goal. Tupou College, alma-mater to most of the conference delegates was the crowd favourite which lead to radio commentator Mateaki Heimuli announcing that "Mahalo ko e Kolisi eni ia 'a e Siasi Tonga" in respect to the difference in reception received by the two schools during their final match.

The Boys and Girls Brigade were special participants of the Vava'u Conference which has a strong Brigade program. Youth from Nukunuku, Mataika, Hoi in Tongatapu; 'Eua, Ha'apai, and Vava'u competed in marching and singing competitions.

Choirs from Tongatapu, Vava'u, Ha'apai, Hawai'i, Australia and from the Constitutional Free Church of Tonga participated in nightly choral services during the week-long conference.

St. John of God Hospital in Ballarat's Rotary Club again pushes forward assistance to medical services in the Kingdom of Tonga with a collective donation of equipment valued at over T$40,000. X-ray equipment was donated to the Prince Wellington Ngu Hospital at Vava'u, while a heart monitor and other medical supplies were donated to Vaiola Hospital.

Dr. P. Armstrong of Warner's Bay Private Hospital donated an anaesthetic machine. Dr. Armstrong had previously worked at Vaiola Hospital during an exchange programme, and was present at the presentation.

Mr and Mrs Trevor Chapman of the Rotary Club of St. John of God Hospital and Mr Robert Bolouri, representing the Nuku'alofa Rotary Club presented the equipment to Vaiola Hospital staff.

Private 'Alefosio Fahamokioa of Haveluloto was named outstanding among the 22 men and six women of the 43^rd intake of TDS recruits who completed basic training on may 29.

Tonga's Mate Ma'a Tonga national Rugby League side are finding the going tough during the Super-League competition. May 11, trailing 24-0 at half time against the Maori team, the national side failed to recover and lost 46-10. Tonga's points came from a try each for T. Taulanga and Tevita Tu'ifua with a conversion by Kiu Latuhoi.

May 13, this time trailing a closer half-time margin of 14-10, the Mate Ma'a Tonga were outclassed gaining no points in the second half for a loss at 24-10.

"administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is currently compiling a roster of qualified candidates of Pacific Island origin to work with its programmes throughout the Pacific region. UN Volunteer Specialists in the field are playing key roles in technical assistance to developing nations.

"The UNDP office in Suva manages development programmes in the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

"We are looking for outstanding and motivated professionals, with a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent, with at least five years experience in their field, interested in serving in the Pacific Island Countries for one or two year terms.

"Your skills and professional experience can make a difference to Pacific Island people. UNDP encourages applications from women candidates.

http://www.undp.org.fj/unv/unv.htm

The University of the South Pacific will hold seminars and briefings in the Tongan language, Monday May 19 - 21. The objectives of the seminars are to bring together ideas and forward planning to be applied by the University.

The April-June 1997 "Matangi Tonga" has an in depth coverage of the Minister for Tourism's views and intentions for the future of Tourism in Tonga. The article is an interview by the editor of the Minister and is not pretentious about any analysis of the Miniter's statements.

Matangi Tonga also has more stories, and photos from Hurricane Hina, sports, a supplement on Tonga Trade and New Zealand.

• Church of Tonga's 68^th conference will be opened in Nuku'alofa on May 19 by the Rev. Finau Katoanga, church president.
• Pumpkin growers have begun harvesting crops, and again prices have not been announced from exporters.
• A short circuit killed a 7 year-old boy Mase Takapu hunting a lost marble outside his house, and hospitalised his 15 year-old cousin who came to his assistance.
• Sea Star Fishing is administering funds from the Asian Development to upgrade its Fisheries project and have invited tenders
• New International Rugby codes will be adopted in this years intercollege competitions thanks to a donation of 200 copies of the new codes by the Australian High Commission.
• The Tonga International Game Fishing Club (TIGFA) elected new committee members. Allan Simpson Pres., Heinz Betz, VP; Ethel Rew, Secr.; Neil Dalgety, treasurer; Ben Schultz, press officer; Ron Canoles, recorder, and Trish Simpson asst. secretary.
• Royal Agricultural Show scheduled for August 13-30
• Tonga Chamber of Commerce has a full time officer Tupou Jarmin who is available to assist local business operators and international inquiries regarding the chambers membership and services.

• Corporate Finance Manager, Sea Star, T$20,000 pa
• Energy Officer - Renewable, Ministry of Lands, Survey & Natural Resources, T$6,348-9,570 pa.
• Assistant Graduate Geodetic Surveyor, Ministry of Lands, Survey & Natural Resources, T$6,348-9,570 pa.
• Survey Trainee, Ministry of Lands, Survey & Natural Resources, T$1,800-2,376 pa
• Rugby League Development Officer, Tonga Rugby League Association, T$8,000 pa
• Computer Operator Grade II, Ministry of Works, $4,505-57,93 pa
• Computer Operator Grade III, Ministry of Works, $3,654-4,984 pa
• Property/Facilities Manager, USP, F$23,930-34,002 pa
• Lecturer II/ Lecturer I in Land Management & Development, USP, F$19-F$23,115; F$23,930-F$34,002 pa (Greenwood_d@usp.ac.fj)
• Lecturer II/Lecturer I in Computer Science, USP, F$19,866-F$23,115; F$23,930-F$34,002 pa (adams_a@usp.ac.fj)
• Programmer/Analyst, USP, F$23,930-$34,00 pa
• Senior Technician, Biology, USP, $F19,866-F$23,115pa
• Centre Director (Niue), USP, NZ$28-39,555; NZ$40,571-47,408
• Director, CELT, USP, F$44,397-49,008 pa (Landbeck_RC@usp.ac.fj)
• Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor Verterbrate Biology, USP, F$34,786-40,645; F$44,397-49,008
• Lecturer/Senior Lecturer Environmental Microbiology, USP, F$23,930-34,002; F$34,786-40,645 pa
• Senior Graphic Artist, USP, F$23,930-F$34,002
• Construction Foreman, Fletcher Royco Join Venture, T$14,000-T$17,000 pa
• Launderer, Ministry of Health Vava'u, $T2,586 pa

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