LAKEMBA AND SAVU-SAVU. 169 
consists of a few natives. ‘There are three detached reefs to the east- 
ward, and within a few miles of it. 
Oneata lies north of Motha, and forms the northern side of the 
Oneata Channel. It is of good height, and may readily be known by 
Observatory Isle to the northeast, two hundred and fifty feet in height, 
with three lofty trees on its apex. The reef around Oneata is also 
extensive; it has two good entrances on the northeast side, and three 
on the west. 
Not being able to pass through the reef of Oneata, Lieutenant-Com- 
mandant Ringgold bore away to the northwest for Lakemba, which is 
twelve miles distant. At nine o’clock on the 15th the Porpoise was 
off its south side, and as the boats were preparing to land, a canoe was 
seen leaving the beach, having on board the missionary, the Reverend 
Mr. Calvert, belonging to the Wesleyan Society. He had been on the 
island more than a year, and succeeded the Rev. Messrs. Cargill, 
Cross, and Jagger, who had removed to the larger and more important 
islands of the group. Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold and some of 
the officers returned with him to the island, where they were kindly 
entertained by him and his lady. Mr. Calvert did not express himself 
favourably regarding the natives, describing them as cruel and blood- 
thirsty, and said it was the prevailing custom to destroy all shipwrecked 
persons. Cannibalism, however, is now extinct on this island. 
The king of Lakemba, Tui Neau, was found seated in a large 
canoe-house, near the landing, with a numerous retinue of almost naked 
natives about him. He is a corpulent nasty-looking fellow, and has 
the unmitigated habits of a savage. He is said to have one hundred 
wives! He exercises despotic power over all the surrounding islands, 
has the character of being a cruel tyrant, and lives in the midst of all 
kinds of excesses. The settlement is dirty and badly built, but has 
some large houses. In it were seen numbers of ugly women and 
children. Salomon, the Tonga chief, left the brig at Lakemba; he 
had been of but little use as a pilot in consequence of being sea-sick 
nearly the whole time, which was somewhat singular for a person 
who was almost constantly engaged in navigating canoes. In his 
stead they procured a person whose name was Thaki. Thaki was a 
very respectable old man, and had many letters of recommendation, 
giving him the highest character. Among them was a letter from 
some shipwreckcd sailors, who by his exertions were saved from death, 
and afterwards supplied by him with every thing that was necessary, 
until they got on board an English vessel. Chevalier Dillon, also, had 
given him a printed document. ll of these papers Thaki takes great 
pride in showing, and carries them constantly with him. He had been 
VOL. III. 22 
