100 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
the island with the flag of the infant king. The 
banner was unfurled, and the young sovereign’s 
name proclaimed in every district. If respected, 
and allowed to pass, it was considered an acknow- 
ledgment by the raatiras and chiefs, of his succes- 
sion to the government; but if broken, it was 
regarded as an act of rebellion, or an open decla- 
ration of war. Numerous ceremonies were per- 
formed at the marae, a-splendid establishment was 
forthwith formed for the young king, anda large 
train of attendants accompanied him to whatever 
place he was conveyed. 
Every affair, however, of importance to the inter- 
nal welfare of the nation, or its foreign relations, 
continued to be transacted by the father, and those 
whom he had formerly associated with him as his 
counsellors; but every edict was issued in the name 
and on the behalf of the young ruler; and though the 
whole of the executive government might remain in 
the hands of the father, he only acted as regent for 
his son, and was regarded as such by the nation. 
The insignia of regal authority, and the homage 
which the father had been accustomed to receive 
from the people, were at once transferred to his 
successor. The lands, and other sources of the 
king’s support, were appropriated to the mainte- 
nance of the household establishment of the 
infant ruler; and the father rendered him those 
demonstrations of inferiority, which he himself had 
heretofore required from the people. 
This remarkable custom was not confined to the 
family of the sovereign, but prevailed among the 
hui arii and the raatiras. In both these classes, 
the eldest son immediately at his birth received 
the honours and titles which his father had hitherto 
borne. | 
