English: "Maafu, the Tongan Chief " f.p. 266. Photo by late Colonel Stewart, R.E.

Caption reads: "Maafu, the Tongan Chief, Viceroy of the Lau or Eastern Islands of Fiji during the reign of King Thankombau."

This caption is so brief and specific that it is rather misleading. It is true that Viceroy was Ma'afu's designation during the brief constitutional monarchy in Fiji from 1871-4 immediately prior to Cession. Indeed, his acknowledgement of Cakobau's title of Tui Viti, and his pledge of allegiance, were critical to the success of the Viti government. prior to that, Ma'afu had long been a major threat to the Kubuna confederation, following his military conquest of much of Eastern Fiji and formation of the Tovata ko Natokalau kei Viti confederation (more generally known as the Tovata ko Lau), by amalgamating the old federations of Lau, Cakaudrove and Bua in 1867. Because of their elevation of Cakobau, and his role in Cession, Ma'afu has generally suffered a bad press at the hands of the British (including Brewster in this book). In fact he was demonstrably a far more skilled military and political strategist than Cakobau or any of the Fijian chiefs of his time. He was also an able and sophisticated administrator of his territories. As Derrick wrote (History of Fiji p.163), "it was in Lau that the Fijians first saw constitutional government working smoothly and for their benefit." Had the Viti government and then Cession not intervened, Ma'afu may well have achieved suzerainty over the whole Group, and the subsequent history of Fiji would have been very different.