MALOLO. 289 
pine of New Zealand, and most of the large canoes used in the Feejce 
Islands are built here. The chief informed me that he would for 
three muskets get me, in three days, trees large enough to make 
masts for the tender. These were fourteen inches in diameter, and 
sixty feet in length, or large enough for topmasts of a ship of seven 
hundred tons. It takes them eight moons to build a canoe. 
The people of Kantavu are industrious, and the chief said they 
had abundance of provisions, of which, if I would stay over the next 
day, he would bring me any quantity I desired. After making inquiry 
about Vendovi, he said that the people of Kantavu were glad he had 
been taken away, for he was continually making exactions on them 
for all kinds of articles, under his authority of vasu. 
The chief said there were no harbours on the south side of the 
island, and that they sometimes transported their canoes over the 
narrow neck to visit that shore, but it was a very rough place, and 
too much exposed to the sea to be safe for canoes. This island, as it 
has been before mentioned, is tributary to Rewa. Most frequently 
the annual tribute is paid in canoes, except when the king of Rewa 
designates otherwise. 
Many whale-ships stop here for supplies; these are principally 
English, belonging to Sydney, who seldom go to the north of these 
islands. The natives reported that they had seen eight within two 
moons. The bay they generally frequent is one to the westward of 
Malatta, called Tabuca. On this bay there is quite a large settlement 
of the same name, and it was reported by the chief as having ample 
supplies. Anchorage may be had off the town in fifteen fathoms 
water, with sandy bottom. It is a very picturesque spot. 
According to the pilot’s account of the Kantavu people, they are 
not to be trusted, being prone to acts of violence, which they can 
commit with impunity, as they have always a secure retreat from 
their enemies, in the mountain districts. Boats and crews, if not on 
their guard here, are frequently detained until they are ransomed ; 
so that it behooves all who visit and wish to deal with these people, 
to be exceedingly cautious. 
Early on the morning of the 3d of August, we got under way, and 
stood along the island of Kantavu, to its western end. The distance 
from Malatta Bay thither was found by patent log to be six miles. 
After reaching this point, we hove about under the Peak of Kantavu, 
which is a dome of large dimensions, and has the appearance of being 
an extinct crater, similar to those we have observed at the other groups. 
Having several remarkable peaks fixed, we were enabled to make a 
good running survey. The most northern coral shoal is off Malatta 
VOL. III. 37 
