198 THE CEUISE OF THE ' CURAgOA: 



group. Since 1852, tlie progress of Christianity and civil- 

 isation has been steady and continuous, and the prospects of 

 the island are highly encouraging. This change however, 

 it is argued, is so recent, that the natives have not attained 

 the amount of knowledge and strength of principle and 

 character to enable them to resist temptation, or make much 

 advance, witliout the constant superintendence and instruc- 

 tion of Missionaries. 



Besides the two mission famiUes living on tlie island, 

 tliere was a family of Whites at eacli of tlie two sandal- 

 wood stations, and also a few others, perhaps about twenty 

 people in all, in addition to those connected with the four 

 or five vessels sailhig out of the harbour. 



The island is governed by chiefs. There are three prin- 

 cipal cliiefs, each having several petty chiefs under him. 

 Their jiower is not well defined, and in many cases they 

 have little inlkicuce. In some cases, however, their word 

 is of great weight. 



The island is of volcanic origin, but surrounded in many 

 places by coral reefs. No minei-als have as yet been found. 

 The roads were originally more tracks, and are still so to a 

 great extent ; but, since the ai'rivMl of the Missionaries, a 

 number of these native paths have been greatly improved, 

 and the island can be traversed on foot in all directions. 

 Carriage roads tliere are none, and of lu)rse tracks only a 

 few. 



The principal indigenous fruits and vegetables are the 

 breadfruit, the banana, the cocoanut, a large edible sort of 



