Two females, of a dejected appearance, watched by its side, plaintively chanting and beating the air with large grass fans whitened with pipe-clay.

In the dwelling-house adjoining a numerous company we assembled, and various articles of food were being prepared for consumption.

Two or three individuals, distinguished by head-dresses of beautiful tappa, and wearing a great number of ornaments, appeared to officiate as masters of the ceremonies.

By noon the entertainment had fairly begun and we were told that it would last during the whole of the two following days.

With the exception of those who mourned by the corpse, every one seemed disposed to drown the sense of the late bereavement in convivial indulgence.