ROTUMA MEN. 35 



these great drunkards enjoy such a long life. They 

 boast whether it be true I had no means of testing 

 that they are often intoxicated two months at a time. 

 One of the oldest white settlers always bought a large 

 cask of spirits whenever he had the chance, and, as he 

 did not know when he should have another, he took the 

 daily precaution to fill up the cask with as much water 

 as he had drunk spirits. 



On the 1st of June, one of the Eotuma men, work- 

 ing in the establishment, died. His countrymen seemed 

 to feel his loss very much, as he had been a petty 

 chief among them, and they proceeded to bury him 

 in their own fashion. The body was wrapped up in 

 cloth, and a mound raised about two feet above the 

 ground, large stones being placed all around, and the 

 inside filled up with gravel from the beach. Rotuma 

 is a small island three hundred miles north of this 

 group, and belonging to the Fijian Consulate. Some 

 years ago, the Wesleyans endeavoured to establish a 

 permanent mission there, but, although succeeding in 

 making a few converts, they were forced to abandon 

 the field. The ruling chief, described as a fine young 

 fellow, having made a voyage to Sydney, where he 

 was well received, even, if report be true, at Govern- 

 ment House, had been persuaded by some whites and 

 a New Zealander, who gained influence over him, that 

 if he wished to preserve the independence of his coun- 

 try he must not admit missionaries, as they proved in- 

 variably the harbingers of national annihilation. The 

 Wesleyans therefore received intimation to withdraw 

 their Tongan teachers, and the few native converts re- 



D 2 



