The Waikato Times, THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE, AND KAWHIA ADVOCATE. Established Thirty-Four Years, THE OLDEST DAILY NEWSPAPER IN THE WAIKATO. THE LARGEST CIRCULATION OF ANY DAILY PAPER SOUTH OF AUCKLAND. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1906. THE MAORI CENSUS.

Waikato Times, Volume LVII, Issue 8047, 2 November 1906, Page 2

The Waikato Times, THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE, AND KAWHIA ADVOCATE. Established Thirty-Four Years, THE OLDEST DAILY NEWSPAPER IN THE WAIKATO. THE LARGEST CIRCULATION OF ANY DAILY PAPER SOUTH OF AUCKLAND. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1906. THE MAORI CENSUS.

Tut: results of the census of (lie Maori population of the colony recently completed will be gratifying tn those who iuteresi themselves in the preservation and the welfare of tltt' native race. The increase shown is rathei problematical. It is probably largely due to a more efficient enumeration than has been imule in previous years, and in addition to that fact, the shifting nature of the Maori population must he taken into account. It is satisfactory to note that the old prejudices against supplying the ennu(iterators with information are disappearing. That and other points which the officials emphasise are evidences that the .Maori is beginning to realise that by taking the white man into his full confidence he will gain more than by following the pernicious doctrines of various leaders who have exercised such a baneful influence in the past. It is an idea of many people that the ultimate fate of the Maori race is to become absorbed in the European, Whether any tendency is shown in this direction must be gathered from the increase or decrease in the number of half-castes. The present census shows that in the five years since last census, the number of halfcastes living as Maoris has increased by 815. No valid deduction eau be drawn except by taking account also of those half-castes who are living as Europeans. The generally good health enjoyed by the natives is an indication that they are adopting more readily modern ideas of sanitation, and it also proves that the work of Dr. Pomure and his native inspectors on behalf the Maoris has not been wasted. During the live years since the previous Maori census was taken, although there have been occasional outbreaks of typhoid and other fevers, there has been no epidemic "I disease. In all cases of serious outbreak that have been reported, the Government has promptly sent medical assistance, and has also supplied medical comforts and suitable food. at the discretion of the medical attendant. In one or two eases where it was necessary to isolate the patients, the Government has also provided nursing assistance. There are now thirty-three medical officers in the colony subsidised from the Native Civil List, together with five "dispensers" in districts where no medical men reside, and who, though not legally qualified to piactise medicine, are quite able to dispense simple remedies for minor complaints. The duties of these officers are to treat and prescribe for every native who may visit them at their surgeries, and to visit all patients who. through age and illness, are unable to come to them. In addition. the services of the native-school teachers are largely utilised in the same work. The Department provides these teachers with a selection of useful medicines, with simple directions as to their use, aud there is every reason to believe that by their efforts much suffering is spared aud many outbreaks suppressed. The good work performed by these ladies and gentlemen is deserving of notice —all the more so that it has not received due recognition in the past. Another factor in the upward progtession of the Maori race is the work of the various missionary organisations now located in many of the native settlements. The devoted labours of the men ham women at these stations in providing nursing, medical attention aud other comforts, and in relieving the many cases of distress that tire brought under their notice, calls forth the highest commendation. During the last year the failure of the potato crop, consequent upon the ravages of the blight, occasioned considerable distress and it i.», to be hoped that a repetition of this trouble during the present year will be avoided. The race generally appears to be nourishing, and the repoit of the Chief Enumerator gives ground for hoping thai a be.ter state of affairs is beginnim; to pie, ail than has ever been the case in the past.

A YKTKHAN Tliool'. On tin; lil'lli of this month the Alexandra Cavalry. Wantranni. celel)i. tc the t wenty-til'th anniversary o! their formation. The event is of more than usual interest, 111 the liuht of the circumstances under which the s«|iia<li<m was recruited. The iifth of November is also the twenlvtil'tli anniversary ol I'anhaka I lav. when all New Zealand was thrown into a stale of violent excitement liv the outbreak ol the native

Ironlile, Krotii north ami south viiliinleers |ii'iieeede<l lu Taranaki, and iueitided among them was the Alexandra t'avauy who. almost to a man, responded to Die call of the Hon. John Bryce, then Defence. Minister, for volunteers. It was a bloodless victory the troops achieved, hut had we not shown Te Whiti what we could do, and the great force at our command, the whole country might have burst into a blaze like that of

IHHH. Thanks to -Mr Hryce, unci and for all I lie native trouble nana to an end. For some time past many of the old I'iiriliiika members have urged il Id skipper to have a reunion on I'aruliaku Day in order to bring together old CMinrades and have a elial over Ihe past. The gathering t" he l"»'M "ii the hi.turic lil'lh is the result. The Alex-

andra Cavalry lias always been a crack corps. It> men have been of good physique, good ridels, and mounted on the best horses Wangani',l could produce. The men .were ueady all farmers, many!of them well to do, and m the early days it was a matter of some difficulty to become enrolled. The old troop thought nothing of chartering a steamer and going to Nelson for a fortnight for llio Kater camp. Tin: corps has always been a tie wet ol the colony's volunteer service, and there is no tea) ma. lack of interest in its welfare willcau.se the high standard set in patt years to drop iu the future, I