41 



ent manner from those on the coast. Their length 

 is about equal to their breadth, and they have high 

 pitched roofs. The thatch is thickest at the eaves, 

 where it is bent into a horizontal position and then 

 cut short. Fort Carnarvon was built by the Govern- 

 ment after the late rebellion was quelled. Its site is 

 on the left bank of the Siga Toga river, about 250 

 yards from the stream. It is built on the top of a 

 low hill surrounded by plains, and is occupied by from 

 60 to 80 men of the armed constabulary, all of whom 

 are natives drawn from the various provinces of the 

 group. They are under the command of a native 

 lieutenant, who is the son of a renowned Fiji chief, — 

 Hitova of Macuta. The Governor's Commissioner, 

 who also acts as magistrate of the province, has his 

 head-quarters at the fort. Of all occupations the 

 natives like soldiering the best, and when on duty 

 they have a dignified and martial appearance. Up 

 to a certain point they learn their drill very rapidly, 

 and go through the movements with great precision. 

 A native chaplain is stationed at the fort, who also 

 acts as teacher to the men. 



Besides attending to their military duties, the men 

 are employed in planting and raising food for their 

 own consumption. Their food a short time ago was all 

 purchased from the people of the vicinity ; now the 

 greater part is grown by them on the flat land in the 

 neighbourhood. Built in the centre of the district in 

 which the late rebellion broke out, the fort was intended 

 to be of service in any similar outbreak, — an event not 

 likely again to occur, as the people all seem cheerfully 

 to have accepted Government control, and are quite 

 ready to submit their differences to its decision. 

 This part of the country is occupied by numerous 



