Concerts pay tribute to King Tupou I

King Siaosi Tupou I, founger of modern Tonga and the Tupou dynasty, was honoured not only on Dec. 4—a national holiday—but also on Dec. 3 and Sunday by the Maopa Choir and soloists in concerts at Queen Salote College Hall.

The hour-long performances were conducted by Mr Sione 'Alaimoana Manu. The programmes under the theme of the national motto- God and Tonga are my heritage—began with the hymn Tonga Fonua Monu'ia, with lyrics by His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV.

Narrated by the Rev. Dr Tevita Mohenoa Puloka, the programme stressed the importance of the coming of Christianity to Tonga with the support of Tupou I.

Tenor soloist Sosaia Taione sang "Every Valley Shall Be Exalted" followed by a choral group from the 84-member choir singing "The Glory of the Lord".

The programme ended with the soloists and full choir performing George Frederick Handel's majestic Hallelujah chorus from his classic Messiah oratorio.

Puisne Judge on duty

The Hon. Daniel Desmond Finnigan, 58, of , N.Z., has taken up the post of Puisne Judge.

He was named to the post by Cabinet on Nov. 26.

Mr Finnigan, with more than 20 years of experience in law, first became a teacher after obtaining an M.A. degree from Victoria University in 1960. He earned an LLB degree from Auckland University in 1969.

He replaces the Hon. John William Lewis.

'Eua Festival focuses on national park

The first Miss 'Eua National Park named on Dec. 5 during a Festival Ball at 'Eua High School.

She is Miss 'Akesa Lutui, 16, of Futu, who represented the Haukinima Motel. The young beauty was also named Miss Tau'olunga and won the talent competition with a Samoa siva. Her traditional costume garnered third place, as did her float.

Second was Miss Silia Hautau, 16, of 'Ohonua, representing Government Ministries on the island, who also garnered the top prize for traditional attire and second to Miss Tau'olunga. Her float also took second place.

Taliai TDS Camp re-commissioned

In re-commissioning Taliai Military Camp Tonga Defence Services, at Fua'amotu on Dec.4, His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV thanked the Australian Army for assisting with the renovation.

Christmas Vacation

Christmas vacation for the public service will be observed from 8:30a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 23, to 8:30a.m. on Friday, Jan. 2, by decision of His Majesty in Council.

Duxes for 1997 academic year

'Apifo'ou College 'Atonio 'Apikotoa, 19, of Niua.

Beullah College 'Asikati Lataimuli Satui, 17, of O'ua, Ha'apai.

Chanel College Puli Sete, 17, of Lape and Veitongo.

Mailefihi College Malakai Vainikolo, of Longomapu.

Queen Salote College Longo'alupe Fotofili 17, of Kolomotu'a, whose ambition is to become a teacher.

Saineha High 'Ema Tali, 16, of Masilamea, Vv.

St. Andrew's Sione Lomekinga Vaka, 18, of Kolofo'ou.

St Joseph's Pierrena Cheesman, 18, of Ma'ufanga.

Sia'atoutai Frederick Feki, 23, of Holonga Vv.

Tailulu College (Tongatapu) Penisimai Malafo, 18, of Folaha.

Takuilau College, Mafile'o Taiaka Leone, 18, of Lapaha.

Taufa'ahau and Pilolevu, Sela 'Aukafolau, of 'O'ua.

Tonga College, Sila Takilesi Usila'a, 19, of Ha'atu'a, 'Eua.

Tonga High School, Elizabeth Cocker, 17, of Pelehake.

Tupou College, Viliami Wendy Holi, 18, of Hihifo, Ntt.

Tupou High School, Sione Fineanganofo, 18, of Lotofoa.

Lavengamalie; Tevita Tu'ungafasi of Kanokupolu.

Li'ahona High; Sione Mala'etau T. Taumoepeau, 17, of Fasi.

Vava'u High; Dora Mead, 17, of Toula.

Miss Teen Christmas to be named Saturday.

The first Miss Teen Christmas Pageant will be under way with Pagent will be under way with five participants on Friday at 8p.m. at Queen Salote Memorial Hall.

The programme is being sponsored by Royal Tongan Airlines; MBf Bank; Bank of Tonga; Cathy Illias ; Adiloa Store; Billfish Bar; Tonga Cold Store, and Jocy's Hair Salon.

King names N.Z. Wesleyan Church

The Free Wesleyan Church edifice at Tuigapapai, Mangere, N.Z., was named Ongoongo Lelei (Good News) by His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV on Dec. 6.

His Majesty opened the new NZ$2.29 million edifice constructed in 11 months' time by Mr Sione Topui Pulu of Holopeka.

The building and landscaped grounds surrounded by a stone fence on four acres of leased land were paid for with funds raised by the minister, Rev. Uaisele Manoa, and parishioners.

Tonga contestant fifth in Miss S. Pacific Pageant

Miss Anita Siosi'ana Lavulo Robert, 19, of Fasi placed fifth among 13 contestants in the Miss South Pacific Pageant in Auckland, N.Z., on Dec. 6.

The New Miss South Pacific is the Samoa Contestant, Runner-up was Miss Fiji, with Miss Tahiti third and Miss Hawaii fourth.

Telecom to open expanded headquarters

Prime Minister Baron Vaea of Houma, chairman of Tonga Telecom, is scheduled to open a remodelled and extended headquarters building at Fongoloa, Nuku'alofa, at 2 p.m. on Friday.

The T$384,281 expansion and refurbisment included constructed by Moala Friendly Construction with Kelepi Mailau as supervisor, electrical worked by SEI 'Uhila, air conditionings by Tapueluelu Enterprise, curtains by Majestic Curtains, and furniture by Skip's Custom Joinery.

TongaTelecom, then the Government Telegraph and Telephone Department, had occupied the building—now expanded to twice its former size—since the early 1950s. The expansionincludes a conference room, reception area, general manager's complex, computer room, and office spaces for the commercial, accounting , and administration services.

These services have been available at Tungi Arcade but are expected to operate from the new structure from Dec. 15.

Walkathon assists Alonga

Cable & Wireless Tonga staff and Alonga Centre members held a joint walkathon on Dec. 4 to commemorate the 125^th anniversary of the 1872 establishment of Cable & Wireless plc in England.

As part of the worldwide celebration, a donation made through Cable & Wireless's Nuku'alofa branch to assist handicapped children throughout the world. Equipment for the Alonga Centre's kithchen was funded with T$2,000 collected by staff participating in the walkathon along with a donation from the company.

Tupou High raises NZ$10,000

A Tupou High School fund-raising team collected more than NZ$10,000 from a concert at Mangere, NZ on Dec. 5.

The group left Auckland for Wellington this week. The group is being led by the Rev. Lopini Filise and Malakai Pomana.

The group is expected to return on Jan. 21.

Ha'apai gains tide recorder

Tide measurement equipment has been installed at Taufa'ahau warf in Pangai, Ha'apai.

Set up by Mr Denny Sinnott of Canda, the equipmentnot only measures and records tides but also the degree of roughness of the water.

The installtation was made at the requestof Capt. Ului Leha of Tonga Defence Services and peace corps volunteer Timothy Garett of Taufa'ahau College.

The 1998 Aoniu rugby union tournament.

The tournament is to be staged in Auckland, NZ in February.

Each island is invited to join the tournament when a trial will be made to pick a national side to tour New Zealand next May and June as well as to participate in World Cup qualifying matches against Australia, Western Samoa, and Fiji by next September.

Tongans residing in New Zealand, Australia , Japan, and the United States will also field sides for the tournament.

Ma'ufanga wins knockout

Ma'ufanga defeated Hihifo 22-6 to win the Tonga Rugby League's knockout VIIs tournament at 'Apifo'ou on Dec. 6.