MORE ABOUT THE FIJIAN OF TO-DAY. 99 



It should be added, that besides their individual gardens, the 

 Fijians have also gardens in common, which may be cultivated, 

 planted and kept in order, according to their extent and object, 

 by a whole mataqali, a town or district. 



It has always been urged by the chiefs and heads of families 

 that their communal system of cultivation and work conserves 

 their industrial habits, and tends to increase their wealth and 

 comfort, comprehending as it does not only the cultivation of 

 their food, the erection of their houses, the cutting and build- 

 ing of canoes (or what is more common now, the purchase of 

 boats), the making of roads, or whatever else may be for the 

 common good, but also placing within the reach of every indi- 

 vidual food and a good house, no matter what his class or 

 circumstances. 



The manufacture of malo (native cloth), plaiting of mats, 

 making of crockeryware, and other articles of domestic and 

 household necessities, are chiefly confined to the women, and 

 are also tribal specialities ; hence certain districts are noted for 

 particular kinds of pottery, or for the quality of particular kinds 

 of mats, baskets, etc., and the manufacture and printing of dif- 

 ferent kinds of malo, known by their special names, which 

 indicate the tribe by which they are manufactured, or the 

 island on which they are made. 



Many thousands of mats are plaited every year, and the 

 amount of native cloth prepared is enormous ; but it would be 

 very difficult to give an accurate estimate of these native 

 industries, either of the amount of cultivation or of the articles 

 manufactured, which were formerly much more extensive than 

 at present, but are said of late years to be reviving. 



No Fijian considers that he has realised the idea of a house- 

 holder (id taukei) unless he has a supply in store on his vata 

 more than sufficient for the everyday requirements of his 



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