RURUTU. 
393 
improvement in morals. Each chief present ex¬ 
pressed his sentiments in favour of the proposal, 
and the result, was an unanimous declaration, 
“ that, from that day forward, the men should dig, 
plant, and prepare the food, and the women make 
cloth, bonnets, and attend to their household 
work.”* The change thus introduced, by insti¬ 
tuting a suitable division of labour, has proved 
favourable to domestic virtue and social happi¬ 
ness, while it has augmented the means of subsist¬ 
ence, and the sources of comfort. 
Within the last ten years, the intercourse be- 
tween Rurutu and Rimatara has been frequent, 
though not always safe. 
The last accounts from this island state, that 
the people continue to improve in the knowledge 
and practice of religion, and to advance in energy 
and industry. In order to increase their conve¬ 
niences, they had sent one of their number to Bora- 
bora, a distance of nearly four hundred miles, to 
learn the art of carpentry, turning, &c., that, on his 
return, he might be able to teach his countrymen. 
They had also sent a letter to Mr. Platt, requesting 
him to visit them, and establish a Christian church 
among them. 
Rurutu. 
This island, which is situated in lat. 22. 27. S. 
and long. 150. 47. W., was discovered by Captain 
Cook, by whom it was called Ohetetoa. This is 
also one of its proper native names, but is much 
less frequently used than Rurutu, by which it is 
now generally known. The island is of small 
extent, probably not more than twelve miles in 
circumference. It is surrounded by a reef of coral, 
* Miss. Chron. No. 41. p. 271. 
