children, scarcely any one in Nukualofa went to sleep that night.

The Europeans living in Tonga were apparently not above kicking their enemy when he was down, for the High Commissioner received information that they were preparing to make Mr Baker run the gauntlet of a shower of rotten eggs as he went along the wharf to embark. There was also a growing disposition among the natives to make an attack on him before he left the country. The native Government undertook to restrain its subjects; and to control Mr Baker's compatriots, Sir John made it known through the Vice-Consul that the order of prohibition would not be served upon him till he embarked, and that if any European attempted to insult him it would probably not be served at all. One of these gentry told me afterwards how disappointed he was. He said that the High Commissioner seemed first to take one side and then the other. 'If Baker was a rascal, what did he want to take his side for?"

The mail-steamer Wainui anchored on July 17, and Mr Baker embarked before any one in Nukualofa was stirring. At ten o'clock the order of prohibition was served on him, and at half-past two he left the islands for New Zealand. At ten o'clock the High Commissioner and his staff landed at the king's invitation to receive the thanks of the people for his exertions on their behalf. They were conducted to seats on the lawn that separates the public offices from the sea. The native band of the king's Guards played "Rule Britannia" when they arrived, and continued to play while thousands of natives of both sexes filed past, laying their offerings before their visitors. The procession

seemed interminable, and the pile of gifts-mats, fans, combs, ngatu, and yams-grew to unmanageable dimensions, while the visitors' arms ached with the exercise of shaking hands. The barge had to be sent to bring off the presents; and one of the blue-jackets, with his mouth full of fresh pork and yam, was heard to sum up the situation in the evening, "Tell yer what, Jack, I wish we'd a Baker to deport every day."

The High Commissioner, anticipating the storm that would arise among Mr Baker's friends-that is, among those to whom he gave the custom of the Tongan Government-sent by the mail-steamer a full account of his action, to be telegraphed from Auckland to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Now that Mr Baker was gone, he had to consider what means could be adopted to fill his place. For the last few years the plan of Government had been becoming more and more complicated, and it was out of the question for any native to take up the reins of power without very considerable modification. All public records had been kept (when they had been kept at all) in the English language, with which no Tongan is acquainted. The code of law was most cumbrous and ambiguous; a considerable portion of it had been published in the 'Gazette' in English, and had never been translated for the benefit of the people who were to obey it. It had been Mr Baker's policy to complicate the administrative machinery, so as to imbue his colleagues with conviction that the simplest matter was beyond their power without his help; and he thus gradually acquired control, not only of the law courts, but also of the Treasury. There was, it is true, a Minister of Finance, Junia Mafileo, the king's

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER.

23

nephew. He certainly looked the part of Treasurer of an insolvent kingdom. His brow was deeply seamed with the furrows of care, and he spoke little, as befits one

"I am Minister of Finance."

upon whose wealth of resource the financial fate of a country hangs. But when the High Commissioner questioned him, the following conversation took place :

"What is your office?"

"I am Minister of Finance."

"What is the revenue of Tonga?"

"I don't know."

But what is your office?"

"Minister of Finance" (warmly).

"Well, who knows what is the revenue of Tonga?" "Misa Beika."

"Who takes care of the money?"

"I do."

"How much have you got in the Treasury?" "I don't know."

66

Who knows how much there is?"

Misa Beika."

Yes; but he's gone. Can't you go and count it?" "No; I haven't got the key."

"Why, who keeps the key of the Treasury?"

"Misa Beika."

It was clear that before the country could emerge from its difficulties some fuller information was required. Junia must have an assistant. On the High Commissioner's advice Mr Campbell, the Collector of Customs, was appointed Assistant to the Minister of Finance, and a better selection could not have been made.

The liabilities were believed to be very large, and the balance in the Treasury, on being counted, proved to be less than £2000. The ex-Premier was believed to have

THE KINGFISHER HAS FALLEN."

25

made a number of yet unfulfilled contracts, for which his successors would be liable; and the new Cabinet, competent though they were to conduct kava-bowl diplomacy, were filled with an unconcealed awe of the mysteries of office-work. "Was the High Commissioner," they asked, 'going to leave them to themselves before their path was clear?" They were not afraid of Tongans, "but what about the white men? Could he send no one to help them for a time?" Sir John Thurston was prepared for the request. It was clear that they must have help without involving the Imperial Government in any direct responsibilities on their account. He told them that if the king made a formal request to him he would send them an officer not altogether unknown to them; but that if he came they must follow his advice, and he must have a seat in the Privy Council.

There being nothing more to do, the Rapid sailed for the northern groups of Haapai and Vavau, touching at each place, and telling the people the good news of the "Jikota's' "1 fall, and of the return of the exiles. In Vavau they received it with mixed feelings, for, while they hated Mr Baker, they could not forget that the exiles were Wesleyans, and Vavau is staunch Free Church.

1 Mr Baker had a number of nicknames-such as Kingfisher (Jikota), Empty Bottle, &c. The jikota of Tonga is an irrepressibly active and pugnacious bird, and Mr Baker seemed to be proud of the comparison. Of some of his other sobriquets he had less reason to be proud.