PENRHYN ISLAND. 275 



The Matavaians, instead of coming into the chapel at the door 

 appointed for them, chose that which had been appropriated to the 

 Anaans, at the opposite end. The latter, imagining that this was 

 done out of bravado, pushed back the foremost of the Matavaians and 

 closed the door. The Matavaians, being under the impression that it 

 was intended they should be excluded altogether, burst it open and 

 rushed in, headed by Hitoti and Paofai. A scene of uproar and con- 

 fusion immediately ensued. There were at this time more than five 

 hundred persons in the chapel, and the men were striking at and 

 wrestling with each other, tumbling over the benches in all directions, 

 while those who did not fight were shouting and encouraging the 

 combatants. 



Several of the chiefs, with Messrs. Pritchard, Darling, Wilson, and 

 others, among whom was old Taati, laboured in vain to restore peace 

 and quietness: the affray continued; swords were drawn, muskets 

 handled, and all appeared preparing for a bloody fight. The ladies of 

 the mission present sought safety beyond the building ; while all the 

 native women made a general flight to the Broom Road. 



Pomare and the king-consort behaved with great spirit : the former 

 seized upon Hitoti ; the latter, being of great strength and power, used 

 his fist upon several of the ringleaders, knocking them down and 

 putting the rest to flight. 



The affray lasted half an hour, and terminated in the expulsion of 

 the Anaans with several bruised heads. Upon quiet being restored, 

 the ladies returned, when the Rev. Mr. Wilson, of Matavai, preached 

 a sermon on "brotherly love," reproving them for their want of it, 

 and for their disgraceful conduct. He expressed much sorrow that 

 his congregation, of which he had been in charge forty years, should 

 have behaved so ill, unmindful of the numerous lessons he had given 

 them. 



After the sermon, the contributions for the year were counted, and 

 found to be about four hundred dollars : little more than half those of 

 the preceding year. After this, a discussion took place as to the best 

 mode of preventing the recurrence of a like scene, and also the course 

 to be pursued in punishing the offenders. 



In consequence of the disturbance, the feast which was to have 

 taken place was dispensed with, and most of them retired to their 

 homes; but it was afterwards understood, that a good many remained 

 and kept up an uproarious night. 



The friends of good order agreed in opinion that this day's dis- 

 turbance would be rather beneficial than otherwise, by showing who 

 were most desirous of preserving harmony ; and perhaps would lead 



