2 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
that we could do, but as soon as we had acquired 
a sufficient knowledge of the native language to 
engage in public teaching, while we alternately 
performed the regular serviced at the settlement 
in Fare, we established branch stations in different 
parts of the island. 
Two were commenced on the west and southern 
coasts, viz. one in the fertile, and formerly popu¬ 
lous valley of Maliapu, and the other in the ex¬ 
tensive district of Parea. Schools were opened by 
approved native masters at each of these places. 
In the former, three hundred scholars were in¬ 
structed by Narii, a well-qualified teacher. The 
inhabitants also erected neat places of worship. 
Mr. Barff performed divine service at each station 
alternately every other Sabbath; when between 
three and four hundred attended. 
A similar branch-station was commenced at 
Tamabua, a populous and central village in the 
district of Maeva, on the borders of a beautiful 
and extensive roto, or lake, of the same name, in 
the northern part of the island. Here a school 
was opened by Tiori, an intelligent native, and 
three hundred and eighty adults and children were 
taught. A commodious native chapel was also 
built, and a cottage for the accommodation of the 
Missionary who visited them. 
As it was a considerable distance from our place 
of abode, I went on the Saturday afternoon, and 
spent the Sabbath at Maeva, where upwards of 
four hundred usually attended public worship. 
We continued our labours at these stations until 
the summer of 1820, when the greater part of the 
residents were induced to remove to the settle¬ 
ment at Fare harbour. Some of the happiest 
seasons I have enjoyed in Missionary occupations 
DSl 
