392 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
to convey some books from Rurutu to Rirnatara, 
a distance of about seventy miles. He reached 
Rimatara in safety, but, on returning, was driven 
out of his course, and perished with several of his 
companions. The day after his death, the boat 
was picked up by a vessel, about 200 miles distant 
from the island; and, by proper treatment, such 
of the crew as were still alive, recovered from the 
weakness and exhaustion which famine had in¬ 
duced. 
In the year 1825, two years after Mr. Williams 
left them, this island w T as visited by Mr. Bourne, 
from Tahaa. He was welcomed by the people, who 
had begun to think that they and their teachers 
were forgotten by their friends. Twelve months 
before his arrival, Oo had been removed by death: 
stedfast and faithful to the end of his days, he had 
the honour of being the first native Missionary who 
had ended his days in communicating the bless¬ 
ings of Christianity to others. Faarara, his com¬ 
panion, had lost by death his wife and child. He 
was eminently devoted to his work, and, under 
these bereavements, was cheered by the sympa¬ 
thies and esteem of the people, and the evident 
advantages that resulted from his efforts. Mr. 
Bourne was delighted with the improvement of the 
station, and the diligence of the people, especially 
of some who were far advanced in years. 
Although the circumstances of the females were 
considerably ameliorated by the abolition of ido¬ 
latry, yet the cultivation of the ground, and other 
kinds of labour unsuitable to their sex, were still 
performed by them. During his visit, Mr. Bourne, 
at a public meeting, proposed an alteration of their 
established usage in this respect, which was alike 
derogatory to the females, and inimical to an 
