V I T I GROUP. 



185 



are very abundant here ; the population is greater, and the consump- 

 tion of supplies larger than in other parts of the group. Every trick 

 is resorted to by the chiefs, great and small, to exact presents from 

 strangers, by throwing impediments in the way of obtaining supplies ; 

 it is, therefore, better, unless a vessel has especial business with the 

 authorities of Ambau, to seek them in another part of the group. 



To the east, around Kamba Point, there is a passage for small 

 vessels or boats through the reefs, but it is very confined and much 

 obstructed by patches of coral ; the outer sea-reef coming from the 

 north forms the northern side of this passage ; in its bight of the outer 

 reef lies the small island of Mambualau, and 3 miles to the west, on 

 the inner reef, that of Tombarua ; both have groves of cocoanut 

 palms on them, which is also the case with the small island of Nezim- 

 bazimba, directly off Kamba Point. The land about Kamba Point is 

 all low, alluvial, exceedingly fertile, and densely covered with vegeta- 

 tion. On the outer reef the sea breaks at all times. The sea-reef 

 joins Kamba Point; it then trends 3 miles to the east, and follows 

 the coast-line to the south. 



Four miles south of Kamba is Kuva Point, which is also low, 

 and covered with trees. The width of the reef from Kamba Point 

 is 3 2 miles. Nasilai Point is southwest of Kuva, 3 miles, and be- 

 tween the two the coast makes a considerable indentation, and the 

 shore is free of coral. The reef terminates at Kuva Point and re- 

 appears at Nasilai Point, forming a large and extensive bay, but in 

 consequence of its being open to the sea, and exposed to the pre- 

 vailing winds, it forms no harbors of safety for vessels. From 

 Nasilai Point the coast trends to the westward to Kania Point, the 

 eastern termination of the Roads of Rewa, the line of the reef running 

 with the coast, but without openings. The land is low, and covered 

 with cocoanut palms. Just beyond Kania the reef turns towards 

 the northwest, joins the land, and ends three-fourths of a mile to the 

 west of that point. The interruption is believed to be caused by the 

 fresh water discharged from the Wailevu. To the southwest of 

 Kania Point, 3 miles, are the islands of Nukulau and Mukulau, which 

 with their reefs form the protection to Rewa Roads. There are three 

 passages into the Roads, on the east, southeast, and south : the first, 

 between the reef off Kania Point and that of Nukulau Island, a mile 

 wide, called the Kania Entrance ; the second, between the islands of 

 Nukulau and Mukulau, called the Middle Entrance ; and the third, 



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