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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
Cyclone Ron smashes Niuafo'ou lesser damage reported from Niuatoputapu.
Every house but one in Niuafo'ou was either destroyed or damaged on Wednesday when Tropical Cyclone Ron hit the Kingdom's northernmost island. A Kingdom-wide cyclone alert remained in force through Wednesday.
The brunt of the storm was thought likely to miss Vava'u and the rest of the Kingdom's islands, according to a Government Meteorological Service spokesman, Mr Paea Havea.
No deaths or injuries were reported from any of the island's eight villages, but flattened trees made travel difficult, according to Government Representative Semisi Halaholo.
All the island's churches were destroyed, and Government offices including the Tonga Development Bank were damaged as the cyclone raked the island for three hours between 2a.m. and 5a.m.
Mr. Halaholo said that crops had been ruined and fruit trees flattened. He estimated that it would takes years to regain full production, and immediate food shortages were reported from Niuatoputapu.
Cyclone warnings issued from the Government Metrological Office stated that Cyclone Ron was heading towards Vava'u and at midday Wednesday, when it was 100 nautical miles southwest of Niuafotoputapu.
The cyclone hit Niuafo'ou with a full force of 12.5 knots with gusts of more than 170kmph. Cyclone Ron's force was decreasing as it moved southeast, Mr Havea said on Wednesday afternoon. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Relief Committee was meeting as papers went to press to prepare assistance for cyclone victims.
TEPB employees: 160+ redundant
More than 160 Tonga Electric Power Board employees are expected to be declared redundant as restructoring of the Board's operations, begun last month, continues. More than 70 staff, including 44 from Tongatapu and 33 from the outer islands, were declared redundant on Dec. 15, according to General Manger Paula Helu.
An additional 60 posts—40 in Tongatapu and 33 from the outer islands, were declared redundant by March, Mr Helu said. Still another 30 Tongatapuans will lose their jobs in April. Mr Helu said that the December rdundancies were only the first part of a programme under which staff have been given a month to end thir service voluntary.
Last to go will be staff at the Popua power station, with the take over of the plant by Shoreline Property Ltd in April. That alone may mean a reducton in staff from 30 to five, Mr Helu said. In the process, more than T$1 million has been assigned as severance pay, pensions, and other benefits workers might otherwise have received. Employees made redundant are being offered pay for up to five months after serverance while seeking other employment. Each employee will also receive pro-rated retirement funds.
"We are also providing technical assistance for staff who wish to take up wiring as a private business.
Little Mr '98 arrives at Vaiola Hospital
Vaunting what is supposed to be the world's first baby for 1998, the local paper declares that Vaiola Hospita delivered at 1:40a.m. on Jan. 1 at more than 3kg, named 'Uluaki Monu 'o e Ta'u Tu'unga 'i he Lotu Kaho, son of Mr Matiu and Mrs Siosi'ana Kaho of Hoi.
In other related news, 'Eua's New Year brought with it Motekiai Lata 'i Kapiolani Tu'ionetoa, 3.5kg son of Mr Moana and Mrs. 'Umu Tu'ionetoa of Tufuvai. In Ha'apai, the first baby delayed his arrival until Jan. 4 at 1p.m. The 2.5kg infant is a son of Mr Liseini and Mrs Siulaisa Toga'onevai. Baby Pau'u of Ta'anea was Vava'u's first baby of the year, born to Ms Lile Pau'u at 5:35a.m. on Jan. 1.
Lomipeau delivering oil
HMAV Lomipeau left New Zeland under charter on Sunday Loaded with 2,000 tonnes of oil for the Cook Hands. The vessel Has a full charter programme for the next three months after undergoing major refitting last year.
Price index for November rises 0.1 pct, annual inflation rate at 3.1 pct
The all-items consumer price index for November showed a 0.1 per cent increase form the preceding month, according to information received this week from Mrs Sein M. Filiai, Acting Government Statistician.
Using November 1995 as a base rate of 100, the November index stood at 105.1, compared to 105 for 0ctober. Food costs rose by 0.5 0er cent and costs for miscellaneous goods and services by 0.4 per cent. Lower prices were recorded for household goods, clothing and footwear, transport, and tobacco and alcohol. The housing group remained unchanged.
The average annual inflation rate for the 12 months ending Nov. 30 stood at 2.9 per cent, compared to 2.9 per cent for October, and 1.9 per cent for November 1996. The local index revealed an annual inflation rate of 6.8 per cent and that for imports 0.2 per cent.
T$ 7,250,000 Vava'u development ahead
The Vava'u Development Programme, phase 2, will be carried out over the next 2.5 years with a grant equivalent to T$7,250,000 from the European Union under Lome IV. The funds will be used to improve Neiafu's water supply, to provide waste-management programmes, improve the marine ports and upgrade road infrastructure.
The water supply improvements will include more and better quality water through new facilities. A rubbish collection service is being developed for waste management and new infrastructure is being developed for the wharves including passenger shelters and warehousing.
Recording star has grand reunion after 15 year absence.
"It is kind of like going to a reunion and having fun," says Mr 'Ulise Pole'o, 35, after returning home for the first time in 15 years. The lead singer of a band known as 'Ulise and His Island Crew was born in Vaini but now resides at Kaneohe, Hawaii.
He returned there on Wednesday after a three-week visit sponsored by the Hufangalupe Night Club at Vaini, where he has been performing without the "crew", who were left behind in Kaneohe. He also performed at the Ambassador and Blue Pacific night clubs and played at Queen Salote Memorial Hall on Dec.24.
Tongan named dux in N.Z. High School
Tevita Lui, 16, senior school head boy, has been naved dux for 1997 of the Southern Cross Campus, Mangere, N.Z. The son of Mr Tevita Lui, formerly of Fua'amotu, and Mrs Francis Lui placed first in form 7 English, calculus, statistics, biology, and accounting.
Delivery service will also shop for you collect your mail, etc., etc…
Island Services a la Carte, a delivery enterprise, started operating last month from the Taumoepeau Building in Fatafehi Road. The firm can deliver parcels, food, letters, and cards, said owner Mr Peseti the services also includecollecting mail and debts, deliveing messages, shopping "or anything else, whether personal or official".
Enormous sweet potato.
The papers proudly displayed a photograph showing a giant sweet potato found at Nualei. The grower, Samiu Lavulo, discovered the 20kg kumala in his plantation. According to the papers, it is the biggest sweet potatoe in recorded history found in Tonga.
Leader re-elected
The Rev. Liufau Vailea was re-elected last week as President of the Tokaikolo Fellowship during organisation's annual general conference held this year at Mangere, N.Z. Rev. Sione Havili Maile was re-elected as vice-president.
Boy, 7, laid to rest after fire
A 7-year old Tongan boy was laid to rest on Monday, after suffering fatal burns in a house fire on Jan. 2 at Glen Innes, Auckland, N. Z. The deceased, Benjamin Mahe, was sleeping inside a house when the fire was allegedly started from sparks from a New Year 'umu.
There were five people in the house. The two eldest, Kalolo Maka, 15, and Kolo Mahe, 11 woke the others. They and two boys ages 6 and 11 managed to flee with minor burns.
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