238 Circumstances ivliich distinguish 
sides in the servants of onr government. All our possessions 
on the island are divided into corks and districts, the subor- 
dinate superintendance of which is given to the Moodeliers, or 
native magistrates, who are always chosen from among the class 
of the nobles styled Hondrews and Mahondrews. These magis- 
trates superintend both the country parts and the villages, 
and exercise a power similar to our country and cit}^ magis- 
trates in Great Britain. It is the business of the Moodeliers to 
assist in collecting the revenues, settling the proportion of the 
taxes and contributions, assembling the peasants for government 
service, procuring provisions and other supplies to the diffe- 
rent garrisons when required, providing coolies for conveying 
stores or baggage from one station to another; in short, it is 
their business to observe the conduct of the natives, and pre^- 
vent either public or individual interest from sustaining any 
loss. 
The Moodeliers have under them an inferior class of petty 
officers, who are also chosen from among the Hondrews. Their 
business is to assist the Moodeliers, and carry their orders into 
execution. In those parts where it is not thought requisite to 
quarter a body of troops, there is a police corps of the natives 
appointed to enforce the commands of government in each 
district : they are composed of Conganies or serjeants, Aratjies, 
or corporals, and Lascafines, or common soldiers, and perform 
the same offices as our sheriff’s men, or constables. They are 
armed with short swords and spears ; a large body of them at- 
tend the governor in his tours round the island, and on other 
occasions, either for state or expediency. 
The Moodeliers as well as the inferior class of police officers, 
are under the immediate orders of the commanding officer of 
