Notes on the Henvey Islands.

Manawatu Herald, 2 July 1892, Page 2

Notes on the Henvey Islands.

(Continued.) Myj Mqjjs, : has," Natives to set np^a'governnaeiit^or their, own, ,• outride; -of that o| rjthe-— ... churches. 'He * mehfiibtis' some 4 pe^ • '^ cuiiav acts which have cpme|np^er r his notice with regard to the laiw issued by the Missionaries n

sunset a bell rings from the Mission' House (the old Curfew bell of ancient Britain) and the streets of the two adjacent villages are at onco paraded by policemen, each with a Native drum, who wart the people to remain in their own premises, which they cannot tho.n leave unless with a lighted torch in hand. Not such a bad idea } proving that those acting as directed are " ndt stepping o'er the bounds of modesty." Inside, ac well as outside, these gen f le inhabitantilhave not only to behave them- ; selves, but, sad as it is to relate, are 1 thought necessary to be watched ! as the police, who numbber about one to every twelve of the population, can enter any hou3e, at any , hour, without ceremony, to satisfy themselves that no improper proceedings are going on within ! The3e men are the prosecutors, and they and the Judge depend for their pay upon the fines they levy. They also resort to torture to obtain eonfesaions.

Some of the old laws framed by the Church are very curious. If a man plays cards he is topay|2is cash and 8$ in trade. If a man puts his arm round a woman in the road at night, and he has a torch in his hand, he shall go free. If no torch (that is what settles him) to be fined j 2s> cash and 9$ in trade. In this island of Mangia, somewhat different in this colony, it is asserted that taking a horse for use without leave being asked is stealing, and renders the evil doer liable to a fine of 3$ in cash and 7$ in trade. Actions for breach of promise to marry are sternly discountenanced, as the foolery of tattoing love-marks by a man on a woman, or a woman on a man makes either liable to a fine. These are a few of the laws of Mangenia up to August 1891.. „ The police had evidently all their work cut out, and an alteration in the. laws will not be amiss, The British Resident has shown great energy in trying to comprehend all that has been going on in the past, in fact he has given himsilf away, in writing that he was able one night (note the time), at half-past ten (which must have been after sunset even so far north as Mangia), to surprise (evidently thus without a torch (three policemen M questioning "(if if it is their own phrase, so Mr Moss says) half a dozen frightened girls in the low, dark hovel used for this purpose. The three were squatting solemnly on the ground. The girls were crouched against the low ; . wall. The only light was a small, smoky candle-nut torch, and the object was to get a criminating confession, and, of oourse, secure a fine. He rated the men soundly, told them such things would not be allowed under the flag now over them (did he put their heads in a bag ?) and that henceforth their inquiries must be conducted in open daylight, and where all could witness their proceedings. '1 he girls were released. The question still pops up, "how came he there ?" (To be continued.)