198 TEE 0BUI8E OF THE ' CURAgOA: 



group. Since 1852, the progress of Cliristianity 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, without the constant superintendence and instruc- 

 tion of Missionaries. 



Besides the two mission families living on the island, 

 there wa? a family of Whites at each of the 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 sailing out of the harbour. 



The island is governed by chiefs. There are three })rin- 

 cipal chiefs, each having several petty chiefs under him. 

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

 have little influence. 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 minerals have as yet been found. 

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

 great extent ; but, since the arrival 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 there are none, and of horse tracks only a 

 few. 



The principal indigenous fruits and vegetables are the 

 breadfruit, the banana, the cocoanut, a lar^e edible sort of 



