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Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume II, Issue 15, 16 December 1862, Page 1

We are glad to find that there is, at the present time, an increased desire on the part of many native tribes to improve their social condition; and certainly there is a corresponding desire on the part of the New Zealand Government to meet these wishes, by sending material aid, in order that the projects calculated to advance the Maori may be carried, into effect. At the earnest request of the Lower Waikato Chiefs, the services of two blacksmiths have been secured ; one of them is to be located at Raglan, and the other at Taupari, "Waikato River. These men undertake" to make and repair whatever implements of husbandry the natives may require, the latter paying for them, and they are to be allowed to work for any European. The Governhtent grant to each of theiii a

"bonus, and when it is found that the natives are in a position to support them, the bonus will be withdrawn. There is something tangible in this generous act, which will, we doubt not, be fully appreciated by the natives. The present is the time for action, —for carrying out the practical part of the business ; and we are gratified to find that it is being pushed forward with that energy it demands. The services of an experienced medical gentleman have also been engaged to visit the native tribes resident on the Thames, the Waikato, and other places. There is much sickness amongst the natives, and the typhus fever has been doing its deadly work, as will be seen by reference to a circular on the subject issued in September last, which we publish in the present number. This is another generous act, which will not, we trust, be lost upon the natives.

In the educational department, Mr. Gorst, who is well qualified to superintend training establishments, is taking a very active part; and we learn with pleasure that the natives clearly see the necessity of instructing their youth, who have no ties binding them to Native customs, and who, if taught while young, are likely to grow up under the restraints of morality.

We may here mention that Mr. Taylor, Inspector of Native Schools, in a recent coihmunipation, suggests that a seminary for fihe education of the Maori, male and female, should be established in the city of Auckland. We heartily approve of the suggestion, provided it be in contemplation that the instructions in the seminary be communicated in the English language, as in some of the schools of India, where the natives became exceedingly enamoured of the scheme, and which was very popular almost as soon as its details were made public. We have no doubt but that a similar educational scheme would be equally beneficial and equally popular amongst the New Zealand natives, because their penetrating minds would at once see that it laid open to their understanding the whole range of English literature.