COOKING THE FIGURES.

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he had given to the revenue collectors. The accused was calm, collected, and perfectly respectful. He had with him his books for the last three years, and he proceeded to read them, pausing at intervals to take breath and to

explain that, but for Mr Baker of execrable memory, the matter would be clear to a person of even Campbell's limited comprehension. Although his harangue had as much to do with the point at issue as it had with the

English Budget, I could see that the array of figures had produced a favourable impression. It was in vain that I put direct questions to the accused about the missing $70; he continued blandly to quote the monetary transactions of past years with the superior consciousness of convincing argument. Goschen was nodding; Tungi wore the expression of a disinterested spectator at a prize-fight ; Kubu was honestly trying to understand what it was all about; and Tukuaho was wavering between his faith in me and his respect for the display of erudition on the part of the defaulting treasurer. At my instance the accused was cut short, and ordered to withdraw while we discussed the matter. As soon as he was released from the spell of the treasurer's bovine countenance, Tukuaho pointed out that, whether the charge was proved or not, it was clear that the books were badly kept to have given rise to any doubts on the score of the treasurer's honesty; and as the work was going on very well in his absence, he thought he should be relieved of active employment until the meeting of Parliament, who might reinstate him if they pleased. This middle course having been agreed to, the cow-faced sub-treasurer was sent home to do his worst with the members for Vavau. Alas for human propositions! When Parliament did meet, his grievances were forgotten in the intoxication of debate, and in the enthusiasm evoked by a Ministry who catered well for the physical wants of its supporters. Manase, his chief ally, was himself impeached, and his case never even came to a hearing.

X.

THE WOLF AT THE DOOR.

THERE were several troublesome claims upon the Government to be settled. One of the steamboat companies was receiving a Government subsidy of £50 a-month, and alleged a twelvemonth's contract as a reason for its continuance. We did not want the steamer, nor could we afford to pay the subsidy. Fortunately our predecessor's rooted objection to being bound by paper stood us in good stead. There was no formal written contract, and the claim was compromised. Another New Zealand firm declared that Mr Baker had promised to sell them 500 tons of copra at current market rates in return for their complacence in lending him money at a time when he was hard pressed for it. We had repaid the borrowed money, and we had already sold all our tax copra to another firm for a higher price. In this case also no written agreement was forthcoming. I proposed arbitration by the ConsulGeneral. The case was referred to his law officers, and decided in our favour. The claimants were Plymouth Brethren, and if all the elect are as sharp in business as they were, they are likely to enjoy the good things of this

life as well as of the next. Except for trivial amounts, they put their trust in no one; for it was currently reported that the agent in Tonga wrote to his partners in New Zealand telling them to fully insure all goods of over £50 in value, but that they might trust shipments of lesser value "to the care of Almighty Providence.”

These difficulties were no sooner settled than a new source of annoyance broke forth. Mr Baker, just before his departure, had engaged a schoolmaster for the Government College for five years, at an annual salary of £200, which the impoverished Treasury was quite incapable of paying. He was offered, and accepted, a sum of £100 and a free passage to Sydney in full release of all claims. he might have upon the Government. But before he left Tonga he had made a secret compact with the College boys to return if his salary could be collected. The lads, actuated partly by a genuine desire for education, and partly by a boyish delight at their new-found importance, had gone to the king with Maafu-who joined them in the hope of annoying Tukuaho-and persuaded him to countermand the arrangements made for the schoolmaster's departure. The order arrived in Nukualofa too late, and before the man could be recalled from Sydney his communications to the Australian newspapers had effectually dissipated the king's wish for his return. the scholars of the College, all thirsting for excitement, set themselves to raise contributions to pay the salary, and formed themselves into a guild to encourage education and defy the Government. The College had a brass band and a magic-lantern: these were embarked in the Malokula, and taken off to Haapai and Vavau as the

But

66

THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT."

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nucleus of an entertainment for a money-collecting tour. Tukuaho, Tungi, and Fatafehi were indignant, but power-" less to interfere. The entertainments were reported to be an immense success. The band paraded the towns, and took the half-dollars at the doors, and exhibited in rapid

succession lantern - slides of the Holy Land and "The house that Jack built," with a fine disregard to subject and sequence. The people cheerfully paid their halfdollars, dimly understanding that the money was to be used in embarrassing the Government. At last the glass chimney of the lantern broke, and the schooner made a

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