MAUI. 263 



which in this climate is absolutely necessary. The soil is composed 

 of a red clay, which in dry weather forms a fine dust, covering every 

 thing, and which the daily winds continually raise into clouds. 

 These circumstances present an obstacle to one of the great objects 

 of the institution, while the scarcity of water prevents the inculcation 

 of habits of personal cleanliness, of which the natives stand in great 

 need. 



The object of the institution is, to forward mental improvement 

 and a knowledge of the useful arts, as well as to prepare suitable 

 teachers for the native schools. 



This school was established in 1831 on the principle of self-support, 

 and only those who could maintain themselves, were admitted. These 

 were principally adults, and mostly married persons : they even built 

 their own houses, which were of adobes, covered with thatch. The 

 Rev. Mr. Andrews was the first who undertook the charge ; and the 

 only expense to the mission was the books, &c., together with the 

 salary of the superintendent. TViis plan continued to be acted upon 

 for three years, during which time the number of scholars had risen 

 to ninety. In 1834, the mission decided to increase the school and 

 to put up buildings at their own expense. The Rev. Messrs. Clark 

 and Dibble were appointed to it as instructers of mathematics and 

 philosophy ; they were also to be employed in translating and pre- 

 paring native books, of which none existed at the time, and which 

 were to be printed at the Mission Press. 



In 1836, the character of the school was entirely changed, and the 

 self-supporting system laid aside, as was also the reception of adult 

 scholars, none now being admitted over twenty years of age. 



In 1837, the present edifice, consisting of a centre building, forty- 

 four feet square, and two wings, fifty by twenty-six feet, were erected, 

 at considerable expense, I was informed, (twelve thousand dollars,) 

 and a class of thirty-six boys admitted, from the various district 

 schools on the island, as boarding scholars. These are lodged in a 

 number of small thatched huts, ten feet square. There are likewise 

 dwellings for the teachers. It was endowed by the king and chiefs 

 with a grant of five hundred acres of land; only fifty of which, 

 however, were capable of being made productive, and but thirty have 

 been cultivated. 



Since 1836, when, as has been seen, the system was changed, its 

 \isefulness has in a great measure ceased, for the simple reason that 

 the institution in its present form is not required. I look upon the 



