(94) clearing on top of a high bluff - about 2 miles inland and with a few miles offshore. We only stopped to look around. The vessel continued on to Piruatu, 15 miles further down the line. Here we hoped to secure canoes up as far as Pukuito village, at least. The kukurai came aboard and agreed to help me. There is a good, safe anchorage there between two small islands. The natives are well-built and look healthy. They came out to see the ship - they are evidently rarely visit- ed, if at all. Hoed up at 1 P.M. and sailed back to holding ground off Pukuito with 8 Piruatu natives on board. They received kai-kai from our galley. Fine during the night, but for a heavy swell from the N.W. April-19. Hicks, David, and I were landed with all our gear in two boat-loads. The Piruatu boys and we reached Pu- kuito by noon. It is much farther than I estimated. Ele-vation 1600 feet. The natives but for the old kukurai seemed friendly. It is the first time a white man has visited their village although they have seen plenty on the beach at coast-al villages. Riante, the Tul-Tul is Kove's brother. Having been to see him at the Mission and being travelled he has learned pidgin English and was made tul-tul at the Passage and told by the "Krop" to build a government rest-house. The govt., however, has not yet occupied that domicile. We put a door in it for us, the first tenants. Riante was rather dubious about the projected penetration but pro- pised to help - urged by his brother. There is one village that gives access to Balbi with which Pukuito is at present on friendly terms: Hanna. But the men of this place have declared their intention of knocking the first white intruder on the head - presumably the District