POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
411 
The king, and many of the chiefs of Tahiti and Eimeo, 
appeared to lament the removal of the press 5 but as 
Mr. Bourne, who was acquainted with the art of print¬ 
ing, had a small press and types, and others had been 
requested from England, it was the less to be regretted. 
The principal object attempted in the establishment of 
a station at Afareaitu having been accomplished, we 
left our houses and gardens, and took a most affec¬ 
tionate leave of our friends, who evinced great regret 
at our departure. 
The season we had spent with them had been to us a 
period of no ordinary activity and excitement, and 
would probably be regarded by them as forming an 
era in their history. We trust some advantage was 
derived from the instructions they had received; and 
we have every reason to remember, with gratitude and 
satisfaction, the hospitality and kindness we experienced. 
Once a week, the people of Maatea, a neighbouring 
district, brought our family a present of bread-fruit, 
and other articles of food; the inhabitants of Afareaitu, 
and the district of Teavaro, took a similar one to our 
companions. We reposed the most entire confidence 
in the people, and had no reason to regret even the 
exposure of our property. We were robbed by an 
English servant, whom we had taken from Port Jack- 
son, of linen and clothing; but, although we had no 
lock, and for a long time no bolt on our door, (which, when 
fastened, a native could at any time have opened, by 
putting his hand through the sticks and pushing back 
the bolt,) and though sometimes the door was left open 
all night,—yet we do not know that one single article 
was stolen from us by the natives, during the eighteen 
months we resided among them. 
