Tuesday 10.

Teppahoo and his family left us today to go to Tettaha, where a grand heiva was to be performed, at which their presence was required.

Wednesday 11.

A small party of heiva people passed through Oparre this morning in their way to Tettaha, where they were going by appointment.  They had the civility to send me word that if I chose they would stay to perform a short heiva before me; and I immediately attended.  It began by a dance of two young girls to the music of drums and flutes which lasted no long time; at the conclusion they suddenly dropped all their dress, which was left as a present for me, and went off without my seeing them any more.  After this the men danced:  their performance was more indecent than any I had before seen, but was not the less applauded on that account by the natives, who seemed much delighted.

After this entertainment I went with Tinah and Iddeah to pay a visit to an old lady named Wanowoora, widow to Towah the late Earee of Tettaha, who conducted the expedition against Eimeo when Captain Cook was here in 1777.  The old lady had just landed and we found her sitting on the beach by the head of her canoe.  With Tinah was a priest and three men, who carried a young dog, a fowl, and two young plantain boughs:  these were intended for the offering, or present, called Otee.  Tinah and his party seated themselves at about ten yards distance from Wanowoora and were addressed by her in short sentences for a few minutes, and received her Otee, which was exactly the same as his.  Tinah’s priest in return made a short prayer and his offering was presented to the old lady.  Tinah then rose and went to her, and embraced her in a very affectionate manner; and she returned his kindness with tears and many expressions which I could not understand.  Soon after he conducted her to a shed and we remained with her till it was time to go on board to dinner.  I invited her to be of the party but she excused herself on account of age and infirmity.  Tinah gave directions for her and her attendants to be supplied with whatever they had occasion for, and we went off to the ship.

Friday 13.

This forenoon Tinah sent to inform me that many strangers were arrived from all parts to be present at a grand heiva which he had prepared in compliment to me.  I accordingly went on shore and found a great crowd of people collected together.  A ring was made at a little distance from our post, and Tinah and several other chiefs came to meet me.  When we were all seated the heiva began by women dancing; after which a present of cloth and a tawme or breastplate was laid before me.  This ceremony being over the men began to wrestle and regularity was no longer preserved.  Old Otow came to me and desired I would help to put a stop to the wrestling as the people came from different districts, some of which were ill disposed towards others.  What Otow had apprehended was not without reason for in an instant the whole