June 1941 School Magazine

June, 1941

. Brisbane. Girls' Grammar School Magazine

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

June, 1941

THOUGHTS OF A DROVER.

THE TONGAN ISLANDS. Tongatabu, "Holy Tonga", is the main island of a group called the Tongan or Friendly Islands. Captain Cook named them the Friendly Islands, because the natives befriended him. It is the only native kingdom in the world and has its own parliament. It is a British Protectorate and its parliament is advised by a British Consul. Her Majesty Queen Salote Tubou rules these islands. She is over six feet tall, well educated and charming. The palace stands on the shores of Nukualofa, the capital. Tonga lies about three hundred miles south of Samoa and is within two days cruise of fiji. The "Tonga Deep" is well known as being one of the deepest oceans in the world. This is the land of topsy-turvydom. Instead of rising, the Tongan commoners sit, when their queen or chief enters the room. When a Tongan agrees with a certain statement, he always says 'no', instead of 'yes'. 'No' means 'yes', to them and vice versa. They are a very fine looking race, tall and well-built. There are no starving natives, for at the age of sixteen each boy is

I heard a voice say softly, whispering so softly; Have you heard the silv'ry ripple of . a hidden mountain stream? Have you heard the soft, soft wind in the trees so lofty? If not, come with me· and we will sail th!"re on a dream. Then I heard another voice in my heart say clearly, Have you seen the broad, brown plains and the fields of yellow wheat? Seen the harsh, rough, sandy wastes that I love so de·arly? If not; stay with me and we will tread that golden street. And yet another voice I heard, crying, urging, pleading, Have you listened to the music of the· dancing silver waves? Watched the seagulls, white-breast seagulls, playing, swooping, gliding? If not; come, live and laugh in the old forgotten caves.

No! I cannot listen to your voices softly calling, I have heard the call of droving, dusty hoofs and reddened eyes;

Heard the music of the whiplash, heartening, enthralling, This is all I ask of life and there my pathwa y lies.

-AUDREY MILLER, IV.D.

Tapa Mat and Wedding Dress fro·m Tonga .

)UNE WARFIELD, IV.E

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