Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 621, 20 October 1858, Page 5

Local Intelligence.

In the last Provincial Gazettes which have come to hand, date,d Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, we find among cither things some interesting returns of the number and wealth of the native population in this province. The general name of the trib'esis stated to be Ngai Tahu ; they have settlements on the plains at Kaiapoi, Taumutu (Lake Ellesmere), and Tewai-a-teruati; on the peninsula at'Rapaki, Little Rapaki, Purau, Port Levy, Pigeon Bay, Ohae and Wainui (Akaroa), and Wairewa (Little River) ; and on the West Coast, At Kaiapoi, there are 71 males and 52 females, of whom about one-fifth an number are under, 14 years of age. At Rapaki, 24 males and 24 females, including the same proportion of children. At Little Rapaki, 7 males and 5 females. At Purau, 8 males and 4 females. At Port Levy, 50 males and 34 females, of whom only 9 are children. At Pigeon Bay (a squatting settlement), 10 males and 3 females, all grown up. At the Akaroa settlements, 32 males and 28 females, about one-fifth of them children. At Wairewa, 20 males and 16 females, all grown up but 5. Of the Arahura natives there are 43 males and 51 females. At Taumutu, 20 individuals. At Tewai-a-teruati, 43 individuals; no further particulars being given. The total numbers in the province are found to be 545. Among these there are 265 male's and 217 females, the other 63 not being-classified..-! Among 388 of whom full particulars are given^ the males are 222, . females 166, Qf; these the children, males 36, females 29. Total adults,'323.j children 'under 14 years of age 65; in the-proportion of one child to 5 adults. *

The acres of land under cultivation are in all, 498 in whp.it, 24 in oats, 286J~in potatoes, 5 in other crops ; total' 1813|, the amount being pretty evenly distributed among all the East Coast Settlement-!. From the West Coast there are no returns of land under cultivation.

The live stock possessed by the natives are in number 78 horses, 232 head of cattle, 1823 pigs, but no mules, asses, goats, nor sheep. The' stock possessed at Taumutu, Tewai-a-teru-ati, and on the West Coast are not returned. At those places from which returns are given the numbers of live stock are very nearly in exact proportion to the.population. The returns of religion and education of those 388 maories of whom detailed information has been collected, show 146 belonging to the Wesleyan body; 21 Roman Catholics; 217 Church of England; l'(female) still attached to the native superstitions; and 3 not specified; 151 males and 61 females can read and write; 71 males and 105 females can neither read nor write.

The returns it is stated have been compiled by Mr. J, W. Hamilton from, a detailed census furnished by his Honor the Superintendent.

The meeting of sheepfarmers called by the Government for .Saturday last, to recommend some person for the office of Inspector of Sheep, did not come off, there being but two or three present, who attended for form's sake ; the resolution at the previous meeting to leave the appointment in the hands of the Superintendent has therefore been.carried out.

The return* of land sold at' the Land Office, Chvistchurch, during the .quarter ended Sept. 30, show the following monthly receipts from this source :— ■■..•■..■> ■...■ ' ■•'■'■■ July ... ... ;.v ...... £4356 2 August 2780 0 September ... ... ... ... 6091 0 Total ...... £12,227 2 . The June quarter receipts were £16,878 155., and those of the March quarter £13,568 10s. The total land sales of the nine months past have brought in therefore £42,674 7s.