324 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHED 
CHAP. XIII. 
Former customs on Wairuku river—Affecting instance of 
infanticide—Extent of infanticide ; motives to its prac¬ 
tice; humane efforts of the chiefs for preventing it— 
Account of the native methods of curing diseases—Tra¬ 
dition of the origin of medicine—Waiakea bay—Con¬ 
versation with natives of the Marquesian islands— 
Farewell visit to Maaro—Voyage to Laupahoehoe— 
Description of a double canoe—Native hospitality. 
Returning from Pueo, on the 12th I visited 
Wairuku, a beautiful stream of water flowing 
rapidly over a rocky bed, with frequent falls, and 
many places eligible for the erection of water¬ 
mills of almost any description. Makoa and the 
natives pointed out a square rock in the middle of 
the stream, on which, during the reign of Tame- 
hameha, and former kings, a toll used to be paid 
by every traveller who passed over the river. 
Whenever any one approached the stream, he 
stood on the brink, and called to the collector of 
the toll, who resided on the opposite side. He 
came down with a broad piece of board, which he 
placed on the rock above mentioned* Those who 
wished to cross met him there, and deposited on 
the board whatever articles had been brought; 
and if satisfactory, the person was allowed to pass 
the river. It did not appear that any uniform toll 
was required; the amount, or value, being gene- 
