The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-01-30

step of the door and escorted back to her former seat, where she once more perched upon her mothers knee. The ceremonial had reached a more
 advanced stage. The young men, still l in picturesque procession, carried off the food laden kits and, to the accompani- ment of a new chorus, began the mak- ing of kava. Taking the root stalks of
 the plant, two men quickly stripped away the dark outer bark, and laying
 the white pith on one flat stone, beat 1t to pulp with another. The great kava bowl, a hollow dish supported by seve7 f ral feet-the whole carved out of solid
 block of wood-was produced, and the bruised root placed therein, water be- ing poured over it. The maker in chief then went through a process of stirring,
 the dregs being ultimately strained out with bunch of hibiscus fibre.
 The beverage ready, the mother of the bridegroom filled a drinking cup made of half a cocoanut shell wrought by use to a wonderful degree of polish, ana conveyed it with due deference to her sons wife, who was still sitting under the f1imsy awning, patiently suftocatlng in her superf1uity of clothing. And Ii, ever human being stood in need or H. quid refreshment, that poor woman did. , The second draught the benedict, who 1 had employed the interval pleasantly In 1 smoking a cigarette among his male 1 companions himself carried to the ar l tist who later declared kaVa to be singularly insipid drink. Then in rapid succession the more important members of the community were served, each completely emptying the cup in one breath and then dexterously spinning the empty shell over the grass toward the giver, the bride being the only wo- man to wlsom kava was offered. | When the kava bowl was dry, the wholesale distribution of food began. The pigs which had been taken away were cut up and distributed to &e guests. The portions intended for the relatives and special friends were di- vided before the brides dais. First the brides father, assisted by another, car ried in a kit containing fine roast pig and one full of baked yams. Then the bridegroom, hindered rather than helped by two giggling young sisters, brought forward the pig and yams he had pro- vided. Armed with long sharp knives, the two men. kneeling on the grass, dexterously divided the carcasses into jinnts; and as the carving proceeded they laid each portion of pork with its complement of yam on fresh banana leaf, ready for serving. None were helped, however, until the mother of the bridegroom had brought the pigs liver, the special titbit which had been skew cred on the breast of the animal, and laid 1t at the feet of the all-enduring bride.
 The unconventional repast finished Taimi signed to her handmafden, who produced the South Sea equivalent for the finger bowl and napkin of society, in the shape of a tin basin of water and bath towel. By this time the welded pair had vanished, and we saw them no more. The orange grove was merry with picnicking parties, who, scattered about in the shade, feasted with the zest of those to whom flesh is a rarity.
 Bndding farewell to Taimi, whose in- nate courtesy had prevented her be- traying any sign of hunger in our pres ence, We reluctantly turned our faces to where the Tavuini waited, with steam up, to bear us away.-Blackwood's Mag azne.