That the Governor of the establishments of France in Oceania, a chevalier of the Legion of Honor [this information is inserted in every degree, announcement and statement the governor makes, and stares at one from a hundred trees], in view of the “article du decret du 21 decembre, 1885,” etc. [and in view of a dozen other articles of various dates since], considering that fish is the basis of the alimentation of the Tahitians, that in the Papeete public market, fish has been monopolized with the result that its price has been raised steadily, and a situation created injurious to the working people, the cost of living necessitating a constant increase in salaries, orders that after a date fixed, fish be sold by weight and at the following prices per kilo, according to the kind of fish: 

30 cents a kilo         25 cents a kilo     20 cents a kilo
1st category            2d category         3d category

Aahi Auhopu Ature
Ahuru Au aavere Atoti

Anae Ioio Aoa-Ropa
Apai Mahimahi Faia
Ava Moi Fee
Lihi Nato Fai
Mu Nape Honu
Nanue Orare Inaa
Oeo Paere Maere
Paaihere Parai Maito
Paraha peue Puhi pape Marara
Tehu Tohe veri Manini
Varo Taou Mao
Oura (chevrette) Uhi Mana
Paapaa (crabs) Ume Ouma
Oura-miti (langouste) Vau Oiri
                        Roi Pahoro
                        Tuhura Patia
                                            Puhu miti
                                            Pahua
                                            Tapio

As a kilo is two and a fifth pounds, the ature that Joseph caught by the Quai de Commerce, being in the third category, would cost, under the ukase, less than ten cents a pound.  Crabs being in the first category—­paapaa,—­would cost about thirteen cents a pound, and the succulent varo the same, whereas they were then two francs, or forty cents a pound.  We lovers of sea centipedes toasted the brave governor vociferously.

The decrees were nailed to the trees on the Broom Road, in the rue de Rivoli, and in the market-place.  The populace were joyous, though some old wholesale buyers like Lovaina questioned the wisdom of the governor’s edict and the effect on themselves.

“If they do that,” said she, “maybe, by’n’by they fix my meal or lime squash.”

Until the date of carrying out the mandate, one picked out a pleasing fish or string of fish, all nicely wrapped in leaves, and one asked, “A hia?  How much?”