Note 74 — PREFACE. (continued 5)

When the king desired to build a temple the high priest of the order of priesthood would select the place where the temple was to be erected, this priest74 was called the architect. In relation to the work of the temple, the priest must first prepare the sacrifices of pigs, red fish, coconuts, as offerings to the deities. When the people reached a tree, the pig and other sacrifices prepared were offered to the gods.75 After the tree was cut and hauled down, then was the time for a transgressor to be sacrificed and laid near the hole where the timber was to be placed. The post ka pouamanu,76 was then erected. It was the post at the rear of the house at a place opposite the entrance. At the completion of the temple an altar was built where the human sacrifice was placed.