MBUA BAY AND MUTHUATA. 



235 



The biche de mar is sometimes carried to Canton, but more usually 

 to Manilla, whence it is shipped to China.* 



The bay of Naloa is a wide opening, protected on the north by two 

 or three small islets, some of which are inhabited. One of them has 

 been bought by the Lasikaus or fishermen, who gave Tui Mbua three 

 hundred whales' teeth for it. It is not long since they settled on it, 

 having been driven from their former location by the war-parties of 

 the Ambau people, and taken refuge here. 



Their town (Tavea), although of recent date, is already enveloped 

 in a banana grove. The growth of these trees is well adapted for the 

 purposes of the natives, and they seldom fail to plant them as soon as 

 they begin to build, and by the time their houses are finished and 

 occupied, they already yield shade for the planters to retire to in the 

 heat of the day. The employment of fishing is considered one of the 

 most honourable among the natives. 



Veraki, the chief of Tavea, has the reputation among the whites of 

 "being a hearty old cock and a great rascal." 



On another of these islets, which is uninhabited, Captain Egleston 

 has his biche de mar house. The town of Votua on Vanua-levu has 

 been the residence of Tui Mbua, since he was driven or expelled 

 from Mbua Bay. 



Captain Hudson was desirous of obtaining both wood and water, 

 and made arrangements accordingly for their being brought off by 

 the natives. This he succeeded in doing, because the chiefs are 

 very willing that their subjects should work, when they have all the 

 profit of their labour. The natives here were very friendly, and the 

 chief desirous of serving us. 



s 



* In order to show the profits which arise from the trade in biche de mar, I give the 

 cost and returns of five cargoes, obtained by Captain Egleston in the Feejee Group. 

 These he obligingly favoured me with. 





PICULS. 



COST OF OUTFIT. 



SALES. 



1st voyage . 



617 



. $1,101 



$8,021 



2d " 



700 



1,200 



17,500 



3d " 



. 1080 



3,396 



15,120 



4th " 



840 



1,200 



12,600 



5th " 



. 1,200 



3,500 



27,000 



A further profit also arises from the investment of the proceeds in Canton. Captain 

 Egleston also obtained 4,488 pounds of tortoise-shell, at a cost of $5,700, which sold in 

 the United States for $29,050 net. 



