PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION F. 425 



139. " Ua liua le tua ma le alo." — " The back is turned and 

 then the front." 



A man who is so often sent on messages that he has only time 

 to turn round and start away again. 



140. " O LE TAGEGE A MEA TELE." — " The toughness of big 

 things." 



Though a large fish is tough there is enough for all, but a 

 small fish, though fat, will not satisfy many. Used of a big man 

 who is foolishly challenged by a small man. The small man may 

 be nicer looking, but when it comes to a fight the tough one wins. 

 " Laitiiti a e maini." — " Small but smarting." 

 This is the opposite of the above. If he is wise, though he is 

 little, yet he can make himself felt, and may succeed when a big 

 man fails. 



141. " O fetalaiga e malu a e ivia." — " Speeches that are 

 gentle, but bony." 



A fish may be soft but full of bones, which may choke a man. 

 So some words which are apparently gentle may stir up war and 

 strife. 



142. " Faapu a . tama ula." — "Like a pu (trumpet shell) 

 blown by rowdy boys." Any one can blow it,' and it has no autlio- 

 rity. No one respects it. This is often used of irresponsible 

 actions, and also of meetings where any one talks and nothing is 

 done. 



143. " O le niu a'egofie." — " A nut which is easily climbed." 

 A crooked coconut palm is easily climbed, and men prefer 



such a one to a tall straight one, which is more difiicult. Applied 

 to a weak man, family, or district, which can be easily imposed 

 upon. 



144. " O le gigili a nafa." — " The sweet sounding of the 

 nafa." 



The nafa is a sweet-sounding native drum. Wnen this is beaten 

 by a chief, or by some one who can do it well, it is very much 

 admired, and the sound appreciated, but when the performance 

 is over the nafa is thrown down in some out-of-the-way place, and 

 no one pays any attention to it. Applied to those who are used 

 by others for their own purposes, and then neglected or despised. 



145. " O LE su'esu'e uga." — " The search for land crabs (for 

 bait)." 



When preparing to fish, if the land crab bait is desired men 

 search diligently for it. 



