TONGATABOO, 15 
TPE Boe re 
BA Geka oS Ses 
“( ir ney a (a YE RRS G 
wa Ne ye 7 =a Ray me 
KING GEORGE’S HOUSE. 
WAVE pe 
I PNAL SG 
Reye 
visit the king was not at home, but Mr. Tucker asked me to walk in. 
The building is not a large one; it is divided into three apartments 
by tapa screens, and was partly furnished. I observed many de- 
canters and tumblers on a shelf, the former well-filled to appearance 
with spirits and gin; but I had no opportunity of knowing actually 
' what the contents were. Many of the queen’s waiting-maids were 
present, arranging the house previous to her arrival; she was hourly 
expected from Hapai, and is reported to be the most beautiful woman 
in the group. ‘The new town is rapidly progressing; great regularity 
exists, and every thing is so arranged that each company of warriors 
with their families are assigned a particular quarter in which to build ; 
they have come prepared, too, for the purpose, having brought many 
parts of their houses with them. ‘These houses have a temporary 
appearance, although they are very comfortable; and the rapidity 
with which they build them is astonishing: the enclosure, and about 
fifty houses, were built in three days; twelve men can complete a 
house in a little more than a day. The average size of the houses is 
fifteen by twenty feet, and about fifteen feet high under the ridge-pole ; 
they are of circular or elliptical form. The furniture of the natives 
consists of their implements of war, ava-bowl, a chest or box for their 
valuables, and a set of mats, some of which are made for the floors, 
and others for screens; the latter are about two feet in width, and are 
seen partly surrounding them when sitting, standing on their edges, 
which are supported by scrolls at each end; they are quite pretty, 
some of them being much ornamented. 
ROL 
SY 
MAT SCREEN, 
