I am indebted to a number of people of Fiji whose assistance and coöperation were helpful. Thanks are due to Sir Ronald Garvey, governor of Fiji, whose approval of my project gave administrative sanction. Mr. G. Kingsley Roth, the Secretary for Fijian Affairs, secured for me the coöperation of the Fijian Affairs Department, which in turn gave me access to the proper native officers and leaders, furnished me with necessary transportation; he also gave me some sound advice. Also of the Fijian Affairs Office, Ratu Dr. Dobi helped me make the necessary contacts as my work took me from one area to another. Mr. Robbin H. Yarrow, safety officer of the Emperor Gold Mining Company, was most helpful during my stay at Vatukoula, where I secured an excellent sample of the northern provinces.
The young Fijian who acted as my interpreter, guide, and recorder was Joji Qalelawe; my especial thanks to him for his intelligent and cheerful coöperation.
Total sample 814 105-300 163.0 20.3 12.5 Interior 0 0 0 0 0 East 73 130-245 168.1 19.3 11.5 Coast 210 118-300 160.7 22.8 14.2 N.W. 79 120-212 161.9 16.9 10.4
The average weight of 163 pounds, coupled with their rather tall stature, describes the Fijian as a large person, on the whole. Their generous weight does not reflect excessive obesity; the body build, as will be pointed out later, is prevailingly muscular and athletic. Variation among the regional samples is not significant; all the groups average more than 160 pounds.
Total sample 815 150.1-195.0 172.5 6.1 3.5 Interior 154 150.1-183.7 169.6 6.0 3.5 East 120 160.2-190.5 173.3 6.0 3.5 Coast 210 156.1-195.0 173.4 5.8 3.4 N.W. 79 159.8-186.0 172.7 5.8 3.3 Fiji (Howells) 133 158-190 170.8 6.1 3.6 Solomons (Howells) 85 146-181 160.2 6.8 4.2 Tonga (Sullivan) 92 160-188 173.0 5.2 3.0
The stature of the Fijians is moderately tall. Howells' series of Fijians, as well as mine, indicate this category. In this measurement, the Fijians are similar to the Tongans. They are 12 cm. taller than the Melanesians.
Among the Fijian themselves, the interior people of the highlands are definitely shorter than the rest of the population.
Rumors still persist of remnants of pygmoid people in the interior mountains of Viti Levu. I found no evidence of them either in my travels in the interior or by extensive inquiries among natives and Europeans who had thorough knowledge of the whole island.