Fifteen Tonga College boys appeared in the Nuku'alofa Magistrate's Court this morning, August 22, facing charges relating to the damaging of Tonga College property valued at $40,000 pa‘anga.

At the start of the proceeding the legal counsel for the accused William Clive Edwards, claimed that the writ was void because it did not clearly spell out the offence committed, and he argued that a conspiracy charge in the interpretation of the law was not a crime. He said that Section 11 of the Tonga Constitution stated that no one could be summoned before court unless he was served with a written writ, clearly stating the offense committed.

Police Magistrate Masao Paasi suspended the court until 3 pm, when he decided that in Section 15 of the Constitution it clearly stated that to conspire to commit a crime was an offense. He then adjourned the proceedings to September 22 whereby both sides should then decide whether the case would continue to the Magistrate's Court...’s preliminary inquiry or be referred directly to the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.

The 15 students included thirteen Form 7 students and two Form 6 students, ranging in age from 17 to 19 years who were released on bail secured by their parents or two guardians.

Inspector Vili Tulua was the police prosecutor.