After visiting such place.) as Samoa and Tonga, where, in proportion to the population, the industries pursued were of the simplest and most meagre kind, we were agreeably impressed by the busy aspect of affairs at Rarotonga. Messrs. Donald and Edenborough have erected extensive ginning machinery, presses, etc., where, by native labour, the cotton is ginned, pressed, and packed in bales. The machinery is driven by steam, and it is curious to note that cotton-seed is used as fuel instead of coal. The same firm have also steam machinery for husking the coffee under the same roof as the cotton gins. Boat and carriage building are carried on by the natives, under European instruction. We saw a very fine cutter in the builder's shed, approaching completion, and there are a large number of drays and buggies on the island, which are nearly all of local manufacture. The women assist at cotton-picking, and also make large mats, etc. In the work of packing oranges the women also render assistance, besides attending to the yam and taro plantations, from which the staple food of the household is obtained. The chief trading houses on the island are—

• Messrs. Donald and Edenborough.
• Société Commercial de l'Oceanie.
• Captain Trayte.
• Mr. Henry Nicholas,