FL661417

same time they are fond of applying nicknames
both to [crossed out: them] some of their own people and to Europeans.
There is scarcely a European known to them for
whom they do not invent some ridiculous but expressive name or appellation
indicative of a peculiarity they may notice
in him, whether in his build or gair or the expression [in margin: the corpulent, the bowlegged]
of his countenance or his doings or his peculiar
accent or twang in speaking. Canibalism,
there is no doubt, ha sometimesoccurred amongst them, but
certainly was never so general as among the New Zealanders & [indecipherable]
But I must hasten to the conclusion
lest I should weary you and will finish
with a description of their peculiar form
of government which I would call, patri-
archal-democratic, if such a term may
be used, that is to say, the elderly men
are the chief rules and often hold meetings
of consultation to decide questions of dispute
or causes of war, but the younger men say
from 25 upwards are also admitted & have a voice
in the matter. At these meetings they often
make long speeches; the speaker not always
but mostly rises & often speaks with much
animation sometimes they speak more calmly
not without a degree of dignity & even grace-
fulness. But if they cannot agree upon any
point, the minority are not always [indecipherable] by the [In the margin: with the Boomerang in his hand]
decision of the majority. They may decide on
a war-excursion against another tribe, yet
they cannot always force those who are opposed

same time they are fond of applying nicknames
both to [crossed out: them] some of their own people and to Europeans.
There is scarcely a European known to them for
whom they do not invent some ridiculous but expressive name or appellation
indicative of a peculiarity they may notice
in him, whether in his build or gair or the expression [in margin: the corpulent, the bowlegged]
of his countenance or his doings or his peculiar
accent or twang in speaking. Canibalism,
there is no doubt, ha sometimesoccurred amongst them, but
certainly was never so general as among the New Zealanders & [indecipherable]
But I must hasten to the conclusion
lest I should weary you and will finish
with a description of their peculiar form
of government which I would call, patri-
archal-democratic, if such a term may
be used, that is to say, the elderly men
are the chief rules and often hold meetings
of consultation to decide questions of dispute
or causes of war, but the younger men say
from 25 upwards are also admitted & have a voice
in the matter. At these meetings they often
make long speeches; the speaker not always
but mostly rises & often speaks with much
animation sometimes they speak more calmly
not without a degree of dignity & even grace-
fulness. But if they cannot agree upon any
point, the minority are not always [indecipherable] by the [In the margin: with the Boomerang in his hand]
decision of the majority. They may decide on
a war-excursion against another tribe, yet
they cannot always force those who are opposed