Raglan. July 1st 1873 My dear Sir, I send herewith a letter received from Hone te One on Saturday last, it refers to Te Tapihana's intentions. I intend to keep a record of all births and deaths occuring in this district amongst the natives during the current year so as to be able to furnish that information in the next annual report. I think this will prove to be valuable information inasmuch as it will shew whether the deaths or births are most numerous. If such a record was furnished by all officers in native districts with their annual reports, it would be a means of illiciting valuable information which might prove of some service to the Government (being as it is a very difficult matter to compile anything like a correct census of natives). This might go a long way to shew whether the aborigines really were dying out faster than they were breeding. Trust you will pardon the liberty I take in making the above suggestion. That notice which I sent you in my last letter corroborates the statement made by some of the Ngatitahinga on their return from Te Kuiti and reported by me on 19th May last. The notice apparently has been sent to them in consequence of their having leased the Akau block. Everything in native affairs very quiet. Wetini's son is to be married on Wednesday week to a daughter of Kereopa a Tainui hauhau - marriage ceremony is to be performed in accordance with our laws. Mr. Young is here settling with Tainui with respect to the reserve for them in the Akau block. Hoping this will find you in good health I am My dear Sir Yours very faithfully ROBERT J. BUSH