THE KINGSMILL ISLANDERS. 85 



According to Kirby, a king governs also on Taputeouea or Drum- 

 mond's Island ; but it has been seen by the experience of the Peacock 

 that his power was far from being paramount, it having been contested 

 by a large portion of the island. 



There are places where the royal authority does not supersede all 

 other, and where the government is carried on by the whole body of 

 chiefs, who take rank according to their age. In these places, for the 

 purpose of accommodating all, there is in every town a large council- 

 house, called the mariapa, one of which has been before described. 

 In it every family of rank has its particular seat, along the side of the 

 house ; the middle being occupied by the katokas and kawas, or 

 landholders and slaves, neither of whom have any voice in the affairs 

 of government. 



When a meeting is deemed necessary, the oldest or presiding chief 

 sends out his messengers, whose business it is to summon the people, 

 which is done by blowing conchs in all directions. The council then 

 assembles, when the head chief lays before them the business, and 

 any one is at liberty to speak, and if he be so disposed, delivers his 

 opinion. The discussions are said to be at times very animated, and 

 violent quarrels sometimes take place between different speakers, who 

 are with difficulty prevented from coming to blows by those who are 

 present. No regular vote is taken ; but the opinion of the majority is 

 very soon ascertained, and this decides the business. 



The chiefs have absolute rule over their own families and slaves, 

 and can punish them at pleasure. Minor crimes are punished by the 

 offended party or his relatives, but in cases of importance, the decision 

 is made and the punishment ordered in council. 



The great and marked distinction between these natives and those 

 of Polynesia is the absence of the taboo system, or any laws or prohi- 

 bitions under the control of the priest, or chiefs, that are believed to 

 emanate from their gods. Mr. Hale remarks, that the word taboo 

 occurs in several compounds in their language having the meaning of 

 sacred, but is not used by itself. 



The succession to rank and property is hereditary. If a chief has 

 several children by different wives, the son of the mother of the highest 

 rank is the successor. If all the children should be equal in rank, the 

 eldest would receive twice as much land as the others; or if the father 

 does not choose to divide his property, the eldest son would receive the 

 whole, and is obliged to support his brothers and sisters, who are ex- 

 pected in return to work for him, and cannot marry without his consent. 

 Females can inherit property, and their are heiresses in the Kingsmill 

 Group whose wealth allures many suitors. Slaves are held under strict 



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