APPENDIX. ' 423 



sidered as virtually to govern it. The names of these are Bau, 

 Rewa, Navua, Nadroga, Vunda, Ba, Rakiraki, arid Viwa ; round 

 the coast of the largest island (Viti Levu), Bua, Macuata, and 

 Cakadrove, or the other large island (Vanua Levu), and Lakeba, 

 among the windward islands. The rule of the chiefs is absolutely 

 despotic (see p. 23 Ij ; the lives and goods, and to some extent 

 the lands of their people, are at their mercy. The number of 

 chiefs is very great ; almost every " koro" has one or more. They 

 differ greatly in rank and influence. In many instances there 

 are two great chiefs at the same place, as at Bau. Here one of 

 these is called " Rokotuebau," or "Great Chief of Bau/' and 

 the other " Na Vu-ni-valu," or the " root of war." They are both 

 consecrated to their office. At Bam, the " Vu-ni-valu" is the 

 principal personage; but in other places, where similar titles 

 exist, the " Vu-ni-valu," although charged with special duties in 

 the conduct of war, has but little power. 



South-eastward of Fiji, at a distance of 250 miles, lie the 

 Friendly or Tonga Islands. The inhabitants belong to the 

 lighter- coloured Polynesian race. They have long had inter- 

 course with the nearer islands of Fiji, attracted by the fine timber 

 for canoes which they afford. Canoes are built on the spot where 

 the material is found ; the construction of a large one occupies 

 several years. 



In 1822 the English Wesley an Methodist Society commenced 

 a mission in Tonga, which led at a later period to the intro- 

 duction of Christianity into Fiji. This event took place in 

 1835, when two missionaries from Tonga landed at Lakeba, the 

 principal of the eastern islands, and where many Tonguese 

 were located. The success of these missionaries was so encou- 

 raging, that their Society gradually added to their number, and 

 eventually formed the Fiji group into a separate missionary 

 district. 



The number of Tonguese in Fiji fluctuates considerably, but 

 may be taken at an average at from 300 to 400. Of late years 

 they have taken an active part in Fijian wars, sometimes helping 

 one chief, sometimes another, and invariably with success. They 

 are distinguished by daring, coupled with unity and discipline, 

 qualities in which the Fijiaus are most wretchedly deficient. 



