NOTES ON FISHING METHODS OF THE SOUTH SEAS. 767 
paddle against when going through the surf and narrow passages. 
Two braces, one forward and another aft, answer as thwarts. Heavy 
material is stowed in the bottom, and the occupants arrange themselves 
on the two thwarts and framework of the outrigger. 
We saw no tools of any kind lying about, and the time being short 
we had no opportunity of investigating among the houses for such 
implements as are used in building either house or canoe. 
Getting out the planks, head rails, cutwater, and outrigger float 
from the rough log, made smooth and fitted so perfectly without the 
use of modern tools, must indeed be a long and laborious task. The 
tools used are evidently crude, for long before the coming of the white 
man to this region, when visits were frequently made to distant islands, 
it is said that canoes were made larger and superior to those of the 
present time. 
The outrigger floats are of hard wood and have the appearance of 
being heavy. The style of bailer is the same as found at other islands. 




Canoe, Nukutavake. 
A strong feature which presents itself in favor of the built canoe over 
that of the dugout is that under most circumstances it is likely to be 
more serviceable. In case of the latter having a plank smashed or a 
section of the bottom torn off it is comparatively easy to replace it. 
If the dugout meets with a serious accident, such as splitting open the 
bottom or having the bow or side smashed in, either one of which is 
likely to occur, the work of repairing the damage is considerable. 
At most of the important islands in the Paumotu group schooners 
and cutters have taken the place of the large canoe. Much quicker 
passages can be made in them, and since the gathering and shipping 
of copra has expanded and become a permanent business, and is to 
some extent carried on by the natives, the schooner and cutter have 
been more in demand. : 
WHITSUNDAY ISLAND. 
On October 31 the ship lay to off Pinaki or Whitsunday Island, 
situated but a short distance from Nukutavake. The island is small 
and uninhabited, but is visited occasionally by people from neighbor- 
ing islands. A boat was lowered and a landing made near the passage 
