A collection of news-briefs from The Tonga Chronicle, Ko e Kele'a, Taimi 'o Tonga, Radio Tonga. For more details of these stories, feel invited to buy a paper from one of the locations mentioned in our Tonga Media pages

Mr. Petelo Vatuvei of Tatakamotonga died of injuries following a road accident in the early hour of Oct. 18.

Tonga College took first prize of a trophy and T$1,000 in the fifth National Science Quiz in a telecast from Queen Salote College Hall on Oct. 16. Second prize, a trophy and a T$750 was claimed by ‘Apifo‘ou College; third, T$500 and a trophy went to Tonga High School.

 Queen Salote College bazaar.

On Oct. 18. College bazaar net $23,106.78. The amount was usually high, despite relatively few people purchasing such student-made goods as food, table-cloths, and other handcrafts, according to Ms Tutaleva Lolohea, head tutor.

The annual event was opened by Her Majesty Queen Halaevalu Mata‘aho.

Books to the value of T$1,000 were to be handed over today to Tupou College by His Excellency Mr. Andrew Morris, British High commissioner.

The books, purchased from the Friendly the Friendly Island Bookshop in Nuku‘alofa, were to be presented to the Tupou College Library in response to a request.

…from heavy rains and sea-surges during hurricanes included, first, Mosese Lolohea of Va‘epopua Government Primary School; second, Lopiseni Kavapalu and third, Toa Maliu both of Kolomotu‘a GPS. Awards of T$20, T$10 and T$5 were presented to the winners by Mr. Sione Taumoepeau, Director of Works, on Tuesday. The competition was launched by the Ministry to help raise awareness of people living in low-lying areas of the need to be prepared and what to do in case of flooding. The contest was conducted among class 6 pupils of Kolomotu‘a and Va‘epopua.

Free registration is under way for a 300m swim, 14-km bicycle race, and 6-km run triathlon set for Nov. 8.

Individuals and three-person teams are eligible to compete in the 2:30p.m. event starting from Masefield Naval Base, Touliki. Prizes will be awarded. A barbecue for competitors will follow.

…on Oct. 18 from committee Vice-President Paula Ma‘u was Vaolongolongo of ‘Atatä captain Lopeti Halapio. Vaolongolongo claimed the prize by defeating Kumifonua 1-0, which received a T$500 consolation prize. Third, with a T$300 prize was Kolofo‘ou; fourth prize with T$200 was ‘Atatä.

Consideration of petitions opposing and supporting a Legislative Assembly decision to void the impeachment of the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General was postponed until next year's session by a vote of 12-4 Oct. 16.

The petition which showed dissatisfaction against the House's decision was introduced by People's Representatives. The other, which favoured the decision, were introduced by Nobles' Representatives.

When the two petitions were tabled before the House, members expressed the need for a copy each, including copies of the signatures, but a broaden copier prevented the need from being filled.

The Hon. Tevita Poasi Tupou, Acting Prime Minister, Minister of Justice, and Attorney-General, told the House that neither petition had been submitted with a complete list of signatures. To comply with House regulations, he added, he and other members of the House also need to know who had signed for the petitions.

Mr. Masao Paasi, No 2 People's Representative for Vava‘u, supported that view, although he noted that in the past the House had used only the numbers of signatures and continued to discuss such petitions.

The Hon Lasike, No 1 Nobles' Representative for Tongatapu, alleged that some of the signatures were not the true signatures of certain petitioners. The Hons. Nuku and Fulivai, respectively Nobles' Representative for ‘Eua and Vava‘u, supported him. Mr. Uliti Uata, No 2 People's Representative for Ha‘apai, objected to the expense of photocopying and suggested that the petitions be left on the clerk's table for those wishing to check the signatures. He also accused the Nobles' Representatives of trying to create difficulties for a petition that was bound to hurt them.

The Hon. Kalaniuvalu, No 2 Nobles' Representatives for Tongatapu, accused Mr. Uata of trying to provoke war between the nobles and the people. He said that the peace that the country presently enjoy was possible only was possible only through the nobles' role in society.

Mr. Uili Fukofuka, No 3 People's Representative for Tongatapu, insisted that the House should continue its deliberations because enough of the signatures were accurate. He said that doubtful ones should be investigated.

But Mr. Tupouniua moved to defer further discussion to give time for passions to cool and clear thinking to re-emerge.

Mr. ‘Akilisi Pohiva, No 1 People's Representative for Tongatapu, supported the move and suggested that deferment to next year session would allow him to participate as he would he away for the rest of this year's session on invitation for the Lome Convention in Brussels.

"Eat less, and eat less fat" says Tonga's Monarch, King Taufa'ahau Tupou 1V.

In Tonga, the issue of diet and food came into the limelight after a nutrition survey among males and females indicated that more than 62% of females in the age bracket 30 to 49 were considered obese, compared to only 10% among males. This contributes to the high rare of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease in Tonga.

Regulations on handling dangerous goods and overcoming other air-travel hazards are being examined this week and next in a workshop for civil aviation employees set to conclude on Oct. 31.

Participants include flight and cabin crews as well as cargo workers from Air New Zealand, Polynesian Airlines, and Royal Tongan Airlines, along with airport security officers. They are being directed by Mr. Milton Cassidy of New Zealand.

The workshop was opened on Monday at the Civil Service Training Centre, Fasi-mo e-Afi, by Ms Sara Carley, Acting New Zealand High Commissioner.

Ms Carley said that as "an occasional passenger, I am more comfortable knowing that aviation workers are trained in workshops like this to be alert to potential accidents in the air."

"There are potential hazards everywhere," warned Mr. Jim Bradfield, general manager, Royal Tongan Airlines, in his welcoming speech.

Mr. Bradfield told the gathering that dangerous chemicals had been found aboard a recent Royal Tongan flight and that it was only a matter of luck that no accident had occurred.

Handling dangerous cargo "is a very serious matter that we must be aware of," he warned. Principal Training Officer Taniela Fusimalohi reminded participants that safe air travel was in the public interest. The workshop was funded by the NZ. Government.

Royal Tonga Airlines has temporarily replaced its HS748 aircraft with and HS748 from Clewer Aviation, based in the United Kingdom.

The substitute for the HS748, which will be in New Zealand During October and November for annual heavy maintenance, arrived in Tonga on Oct.15.

Carrying the Mt Cook Airlines logo on the tail, the substitute operates domestically and in the Niue and Apia sectors. RTA's own plane is expected back in late November.

The U.K. government intends to rejoin the South Pacific Commission in 1998, according to a Monday press release from the British High Commission.

The release said the formal announcement, made during the commission's 50^th anniversary conference in Canberra, Australia, on Monday "reflects the United Kingdom's confidence" in the work of the Commission's director-general and team "in strengthening the management of the organisation and giving it a new vision and sense of purpose."

Mr. Andrew Peacock, Acting British High Commissioner to Australia, told the commission in Canberra that "this rejuvenation was obviously of tremendous benefit to the region, and we rejoice in it."

Mr. Peacock said his government had accepted an invitation's secretary general to rejoin the organisation.

A countdown board for the last 800 days before the third Christian millennium will be unveiled by His Majesty King Taufa‘ahau Tupou 1V at Mala‘e Pangai on Saturday.

• Fanga Government Primary School winners of an aerobic competitions, demonstrated their skills during prize-giving programme.

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