420 
MISSIONARY TOUR 
ency, and allow them to return. Besides the stipu¬ 
lated rent, the people are expected to make a number 
of presents to their chiefs, usually the first fish in 
season, from their artificial ponds, or from the sea, if 
the land they occupy be near the coast, together with 
the first-fruits of the trees and plantations. 
Though these are the usual conditions on which land 
is held, there are a number of districts, called aina ku 
pono, (land standing erect,) held free from all rent and 
taxes, except a few presents, the value and frequency 
of which are entirely optional with the occupier. These 
privileges of exemption from the established usage, 
were probably granted originally in reward for eminent 
services rendered the king, and they continue perma¬ 
nent, for should the king, on account of any crime, 
banish an individual holding one of these districts, the 
next occupant would enjoy all the privileges of his 
predecessor. 
The common people are generally considered as 
attached to the soil, and are transferred with the land 
from one chief to another. In recently conquered dis¬ 
tricts, they were formerly obliged to abide on the land 
which they cultivated, as slaves to the victors; at pre¬ 
sent, though they frequently remain through life the 
dependants or tenants of the same chief, such continu¬ 
ance appears on their part to be voluntary. No chief 
can demand any service or supplies from those who 
occupy the land of another without his direction. 
The king occasionally changes the tenants of a farm, 
without taking the proprietorship from the chief who 
may hold it more immediately from himself; and when 
the rents are insufficient to meet his wants, if any of 
the neighbouring farmers have potatoes and taro in their 
