406 SOCIAL DIVISIONS. [IS 11. 



Chastity is not considered a virtue in either sex, and r ho 

 want of it by an unmarried woman is esteemed no reproa 

 Fathers and brothers freely offer their daughters ami sisters, 

 to the crews of vessels stopping at the islands for purposes of 

 prostitution. Of their wives, however, they are more chary : 

 and it is said that in the northern, or Pitt's Island, the me a 

 sew them up in mats so that they cannot give way to temp- 

 tation. 



The male population are divided into three classes: the 

 iieas, or onialas, who are the principal chiefs ; the katofcas, 

 who are the landholders, not of noble birth ; and the kaivas, 

 or slaves. On some of the islands there are kings, but the 

 rank is mainly nominal, though tribute is paid to them by the 

 several towns over which their sway extends. Each town is 

 separate from the other in its municipal government. Public 

 councils of all the different estates are held ; but the political 

 power and authority are mainly wielded by the neas, or 

 omatas, who are all of noble birth as well as landholders. 

 When a council is to be held, the oldest chief, who always 

 presides at the meeting, sends out his messengers to summon 

 the inhabitants by blowing conch shells. No regular vote is 

 ever taken at these assemblages, but the opinion of the majority 

 decides the subject matter under consideration. The dis- 

 tinction between those of high birth, and the ignobly born, 

 prevails throughout the islands, but in some parts of the group 

 the class of katokas is not recognized. 



Slaves are regarded and treated as mere personal chattels. 

 The chiefs have absolute power over their families and kaivas. 

 All minor crimes are punished by the person injured or ag- 

 grieved, or by his relatives ; but more serious offenees are 

 brought before the council. Rank ami property are her 

 fary. The son of a chief by the mother of the highest rank 



iee Is to his father's position. Where there is no mi. 

 of birth, the eldest son either has twice as much 1 i the 



others, or succeeds to all the property, subji in 



brauce of supporting and maintaining his brothers and sisl 



