LAKEMBA AND SAVU-SAVU. 193 
cook and men had not been treated to extra presents, although they 
could not deny that they had been liberally paid; and, as we looked 
upon this conduct as an attempt at extortion, no more notice was 
taken of them, and they sat idle during the whole time. 
The white residents at Levuka were very desirous of obtaining a 
mission-school for their children, and Mr. Waldron took a lively in- 
terest in promoting this object. Having bought a piece of ground 
from the chief, he presented it to the missionaries for the purpose. Mr. 
Cargill stayed a few days at Levuka, after our departure, in order to 
make arrangements respecting the erection of a school-house and 
chapel, which the chief had promised to erect on the ground, that the 
white men might enjoy their own religion, or lotu. 
Mr. Hunt mentioned to me, that the gift of Mr. Waldron would, 
according to the custom of the Feejees, enable them to establish a 
mission station at Levuka, notwithstanding the objections of Tanoa, 
for the owners now had a right to do what they pleased with the soil 
or ground that belonged to them, without hindrance or control. Tanoa 
has hitherto resisted every attempt to induce him to admit a missionary 
within his immediate sovereignty, while all the other towns or districts 
have acceded to and desire their residence. Iwas told that his reason 
for refusing was, that he considers that the moment the missionary 
comes, a chief loses his influence, or must change his religion. This 
he now was too old to do, as he would be unable to learn all about the 
gods of the Papalangis, and it would be showing great disrespect to his 
own gods, whom he has worshipped so long. I have myself but little 
doubt if Tanoa, in the height of his power, had embraced Christianity, 
the whole of his people would have followed; but as long as he resists 
none will change, partly through fear of their own chief, but more so 
from the punishment which would await them by the orders of the 
yreat Ambau chief. , 
On the 27th, the instruments were all embarked, and the return of 
the tender enabled me to put to sea on the 28th of June. Intending to 
visit the hot springs of Savu-savu on Vanua-levu, we left Levuka in 
the morning, and stood over towards the end of the Wakaia Reef, 
with the view of passing round it. It being Sunday, the Rev. Mr. 
Hunt, who was a passenger on board with me, volunteered to officiate 
for us, which was gladly accepted. After service, I found the wind 
would not permit my weathering the point of the reef; so I bore up to 
pass through the Mokungai Passage, with a strong breeze. After 
getting through (which we had some difficulty in doing, in conse- 
quence of the strong ebb tide setting to the southward and westward), 
I stood on towards Direction or Nemena Island, intending, as the 
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