OVOLAU. 63 



taro, &c, that were required for our use ; he was, however, very 

 industrious, and by the aid of Whippy, got through very well, 

 though with much fear and trembling, lest he should be held 

 accountable for any theft or depredations committed on our property, 

 or accident to our men, in the various occupations that were all going 

 forward at the same time, consisting of watering, wooding, digging 

 gardens, making enclosures, building, as he said, towns, holding 

 markets, and trading all day long for spears, clubs, shells, &c. ; he 

 had great fears, too, of exciting the jealousy of the Ambau chiefs, 

 who he judged would not like to see the advantages he was reaping 

 from our lengthened stay, which would naturally enough bring their 

 displeasure upon him. I found him of great use, and was in the 

 habit of receiving from him almost daily visits at the observatory, so 

 that when Whippy was at a loss for any information relative to the 

 islands, Tui Levuka was always at hand to supply it. 



The rest of the island is under the Ambau chiefs, or as they 

 express it, ygali to Ambau, excepting the mountaineers, who are 

 easily brought over to fight on any side, and are, from all accounts, 

 true savages. Tui Levuka has never been properly installed into 

 office, although from his courage and talent as a leader, he is highly 

 respected. The circumstance which has prevented this ceremony from 

 taking place was, that the Ambau chiefs succeeded by stratagem in 

 getting possession of Ovolau about fifteen years ago, or in 1825, 

 before which time it had belonged to Verata, with which Ambau was 

 at war. The Verata chiefs had been always in the habit of installing 

 the chiefs, but since they have lost Ovolau, they refuse to perform 

 the rite, and the Ambau chiefs will not exercise it, on account of 

 religious dread, and the fear of offending their gods. 



The islands of Wakaia and Mokungai, near that of Ovolau, are 

 under Tui Levuka; they have but few inhabitants. Tui Levuka's 

 eldest son is the chief of Wakaia. 



The town of Levuka is much larger than one woidd imaoine on 

 seeing it from the water ; many of the houses are situated on the side 

 of the hill ; its natural position is pretty ; it has a fine brook running 

 through it, coming from the gorge in the mountain, the water of 

 which is made great use of for irrigating the taro-patches, which, 

 with their yam-grounds, claim the principal attention of the inha- 

 bitants : the natives constantly bathe in it, and are remarkably cleanly 

 in their persons ; the evident pleasure they take in the bath is even 

 shared by those who see them sporting in the water. 



