626 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION G. 
lack the comeliness of their better-treated sisters in the other 
parts of Fiji. Cannibalism prevailed amongst the mountaineers, 
as it previously did throughout Fiji generally, but the hills were 
the last place in which it disappeared. When the dreaded Nuya 
Malu warriors came as allies to Soloira, an abundant feast was 
provided for them, in which figured several roast pigs ; but the 
“friends” murmured that that was not a feast for warriors, and 
asked why no human bodies were provided for them. Human 
flesh was then obtained for their sustenance, but as none of the 
enemy had been sufficiently accommodating to come within the 
power of the Soloira club-men, the source from whence the 
stimulating banquet was furnished can be surmised. The 
mountain men were not fastidious where human meat was 
concerned ; they have dug up bodies that had been buried for 
days, and eaten parts of them done up into puddings. On their 
war marches, when they have killed victims, they have been 
known to cut up the bodies and carry portions in their “kit ” for 
provender on the way, as with other forms of food. In eating 
human flesh the chiefs used wooden forks, and for human flesh 
alone. Why this distinction I could never learn, except that the 
pieces being boiled in large quantities of broth the fork was used 
to secure the pieces of meat, and draw them up from the liquid. 
The flesh was sometimes baked first and boiled afterwards. In 
special cases, where a particular enmity existed against a certain 
chief, who had been slain but buried by his friends, a party has 
gone at night, after the fighting had ceased for a few days, and 
exhumed the body ; then, taking a living man, they have bound 
the corpse to him upon his back, feet to feet, middle to middle, 
arms to arms, head to head, and then the man walks, a ghastly 
double, into the village. Cannibal preparations are at once made, 
and the feast held on the morrow. The rites and practice of 
cannibalism have now entirely ceased in Fiji, and during the 
present decade the avowed heathenism of the hill tribes has been 
completely abandoned. Fiji, in all her islands, and from the coast 
of Na Vitilevu to the remotest parts of the interior, is a Christian 
country, with mission schools throughout the territory, and 
churches and native pastors. 
6.—SOME BELIEFS AND CUSTOMS OF THE NEW 
BRITAIN PEOPLE. 
By the Rev. B. Danks. 
7.—THE ABORIGINES OF VICTORIA. 
By the Rev. J. Maruew, M.A. 
