316 MOKU-MOKU, OK BOXING MATCHES.

At the present time, a favourite sport, moku-moku, 01boxing, has been revived. It is a national game, regu-lated by established principles; to secure an adherenceto which, managers and umpires are appointed, whopreside over it, and determine points of dispute. Thechampions usually belong to different chiefs; and enterthe Ting inspirited by a pride of clanship, as well as bythe ambition of personal distinction. When one hasbeen prostrated, so as to yield the contest, the victorpaces the circle with an air of defiance, challenging anyother to a trial of strength and skill; and thus, in thecourse of half an hour, a dozen may successively losean ultimate triumph, by being themselves knocked downby some combatant of greater tact, or muscular power,who at last clears the arena.

A well directed blood-starting r or levelling blow, isfollowed by unbounded applause from the surroundingmultitude, testified in the most appropriate manner, byyells and shouts of barbarity, that make the wholewelkin ring; while the tossing of thousands of arms intothe air, jumping, dancing, and clapping of hands, pro-long the expression of delight.

These boxing matches often lead to wagers amongthe spectators, and not unfrequently end in violence anddeath. At almost every shout from the ring, the nativesof our household exclaim, “ Taha! taka! mamunmake !”—Ah ! all! by and by murder!—and inform us,that many are killed in the moku-moku; and that onlya few years ago, forty men were murdered at one time,on the very spot now occupied by the exhibition.

The games which are the principal means of gambling,