NATIVE MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 265 
The plan was proposed to the king, and at once 
approved by him; it was also mentioned to several 
of the leading chiefs, by whom it was favourably 
received. Auna told me that the king one day 
said to him, “ Auna, do you think you could col¬ 
lect five bamboo canes of oil in a year V ’ He an¬ 
swered, Yes; and the king said, “ Do you think 
you could appropriate so much towards sending 
the word of God to the heathens ?” Again he an¬ 
swered in the affirmative ; and the king again said, 
“ Do you think those that value the gospel would 
think it a great labour to collect so much yearly 
for this purpose?” Auna answered that he did 
not think they would. “ Then,” said the king, 
“ think about it, and perhaps we can have a com¬ 
bination, or society, for this purpose.” The king 
found several chiefs favourably disposed ; the Mis¬ 
sionaries also proposed it to others ; and, as it met 
with general approbation, the approaching month 
of May was appointed for the establishment of the 
association. 
Mr. Nott came over to Afareaitu for the purpose 
of completing the plan. On the 23d of April, in 
the same year, Messrs. Nott, Davies, Orsmond, 
and myself, held a meeting with the king, at our 
house; when the principles upon which the society 
should be formed, and the rules by which it was 
proposed to regulate its proceedings, were con¬ 
sidered, and, on the following day, finally ad¬ 
justed. 
The 13th of May, 1818, being the anniversary 
of the parent institution in England, was fixed for 
the establishment arid organization of the native 
society. The king and chiefs met at Papetoai, 
and it was a delightful and interesting day to all 
who were present. 
