MBAU AND VITI-LEVV. 157 



peal to, from whom they might obtain redress. The King 

 regretted he could not show ns the hospitality, which it 

 would have been his wish to do had he not been compelled 

 to make his intended visit. After taking leave of him 

 and his party we proceeded on our way, still observing 

 a great number of native houses on both sides of the 

 river thatched with wild sugar-cane leaves, which plant has 

 very thin stems, and grows in great abundance. Occa- 

 sionally the houses were raised on piles, and sometimes 

 rested on a bed of coral. They were not large, had two 

 very small doorways, the inside very dark, a hole at top to 

 let out the smoke, and mats on the ground generally ; none 

 of them are open round the sides, as in Samoa. 



At length, about 11 a.m., we reached the house of Mr. 

 Carey, the Wesleyan missionary, situate near the river, but 

 raised considerably above it, and opposite to a point at 

 which the river separates into two branches, which border 

 it on each side, producing, as it were, the effect of its being 

 at the junction of three streams. It was built of wood and 

 reed, and surrounded by a verandah thatched with Avild 

 sugar-cane leaves. We were received very kindly by the 

 missionary. The men were quartered at the King's palace, 

 where, through Mr. Carey's kindness, they were well attended 

 to. Immediately after our arrival, Mr. Foljambe, engaging 

 a canoe, proceeded with the interpreter and a native up to 

 Viria, passing by Mr. Baker's mission station, where they 

 entered the mountain district, and made their way to 

 Naitasiri, which Mr. Foljambe speaks of as a large native 



