PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 



To the Agent-General for New Zealand, Sir Julius Vogel, 

 K.C.M.G., I must also tender my grateful thanks for much 

 valuable information on the trade of the South Sea Islands, 

 notably in Mr. Sterndale's report to the Government of New 

 Zealand, which I have followed in my treatment of some 

 details. To my old friend Mr. Archibald J. Dunn, I am in- 

 debted for valuable assistance. To Messrs. Thos. P. Elphinston 

 of Fiji, and T. S. Kelsall of Samoa, I am also much obliged ; 

 and I should add that some of the commercial matter on Fiji 

 has appeared in the columns of the Field newspaper above 

 my signature. 



If the following pages have any tendency to advance civili- 

 sation by which I mean religion, law, order, and freedom 

 for all -and which includes legitimate commerce in the great 

 Pacific, the end for which this book was written will have been 

 accomplished. 



H. STONEHEWER COOPER. 



CHURCH END, FINCHLKY, 

 September, 1880. 



