POWER OF TI1E CHIEFS. 
119 
CHAP. V. 
Power of the chiefs and proprietors of land— Banishment 
and confiscation—The king’s messenger—The niau, an 
emblem of authority—Ancient usages in reference to 
crime, &c.— Fatal effects of jealousy—Seizure of pro¬ 
perty—Punishment of theft—Public works—Supplies 
for the king—Despotic rapacity—Extortion of the king’s 
servants—Unorganized state of civil polity—desire a 
code of Christian laws—Advice and conduct of the 
Missionaries—Preparation of the laws—Public enact¬ 
ment by the king in a national assembly at Tahiti— 
Capital punishments—Manner of conducting public 
trials—Establishment of laws in Raiatea—Prepara¬ 
tion of those for Huahine. 
Every chief was the sovereign of his own district, 
though all acknowledged the supremacy of the 
king. Each island was divided into a number of 
large portions, or districts, called Maataina, a term 
also applied to the inhabitants of a district. These 
maataina had distinct names, and were under the 
government of a chieftain of rank or dignity be¬ 
longing to the reigning family, or to the raatiras. 
This individual was the baron of the domain, or 
the lord of the manor, and was succeeded in his 
possessions and office by his son, or the nearest 
of his kindred, with a fresh appointment from the 
king. 
