REPORTS FROM OFFICERS IN NATIVE DISTRICTS.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1878 Session I, G-01

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1878. NEW ZEALAND.

REPORTS FROM OFFICERS IN NATIVE DISTRICTS.

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. The Under Secretary, Native Department, to Officers in Native Districts. (Circular No. 11.) Sir,— Native Office, Wellington, 25th April, 1878. I have the honor, by direction of the Hon. the Native Minister, to request that you will be good enough to furnish your annual report upon the state of the Natives in your district, to reach this office, if possible, not later than the 31st May proximo, in order that it may be printed for the General Assembly. I have, &c, H. T. Clarke,

Under Secretary. No. 2. Mr. G. Kelly, Mongonui, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Mongonui, 9th May, 1878. In reply to your circular letter, No. 11, of 25th April last, I have the honor to report that the Native population of this district are quiet, peaceable, and loyal as usual. Nothing of any importance has transpired during the past twelve months to disturb the serenity of the district. The moral character of the Natives, I am happy to say, is much improved, and crime is on the decrease. The people are chiefly employed at roadwork and gum-digging. A road has been formed from Kaitaia to Victoria, with bridges, culverts, &c, the entire work of the Natives under the supervision of Europeans, which does them very great credit. The crops have been, on the whole, very good, and most of the Natives have laid in a good stock of provisions for the coming winter. They are about to start a new line of industry in the form of coast whaling, for which they are now preparing. Whales have been very numerous. It is believed that it will prove profitable. It is a difficult matter, however, with them to provide the necessary capital required to carry out a successful business properly. A very marked improvement is to be observed in the general habits of the Natives : they are becoming more civilized, and partaking more of the character of their European neighbours ; each year English is more freely spoken amongst them. This change is entirely to be attributed to the advantages derived from the establishment of so many schools amongst them. The general health of the district has been remarkably good throughout the past year. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Geo. Kelly, Wellington. (In the absence of Mr. White.)

No. 3. Mr. S. yon Stunner, R.M., Hokianga, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Hokianga, 13th May, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Circular No. 11, of 25th April, 1878, calling for the usual statement of the condition of the Native population in my district, and beg to report as follows : — I may remark that I have but little now to add to my reports of previous years. There has during the past twelve months been a considerable amount of sickness amongst the people, and I—G. 1.

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very many deaths have occurred. Whooping-cough, which made its appearance in this district in September last, has carried off a considerable number of very young children; many also have succumbed to low fever, and the diseases of the chest which are so common amongst them. Of those who have passsd away, I may mention the names of Wame and Rapana te Waha, Ngapuhi chiefs, and Tia Pakeke, a chief of Te Rarawa. These men were all far past middle age, and had made a name for themselves amongst their people. Crime does not appear to be so prevalent as formerly, which perhaps may be owing to the fact that there is now a resident member of the Armed Constabulary in the district, of whom the few unruly characters seem to have a wholesome dread. The moral and social habits of the Maoris seem unchanged, though I have reason to believe there has been less drunkenness and gambling than formerly, and naturally less crime. The crops during the past season have been very good; and at Whirinaki, where, through the instrumentality of Captain Mitchell, the village schoolmaster, a few acres were sown in wheat as an experiment, an excellent crop has been raised, and the Natives are now preparing a large area of ground to be sown with this valuable grain. The Native schools, of which there are now seven in the district in full working order, are doing well, and are receiving a large share of support from the people. They have an attendance of upwards of 260 pupils, and a very large number of the young people can converse in the English language in an intelligent manner, and all can read, write, and cipher as well as the majority of European children of the same ages. I have, however, forwarded, for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister, a separate report on the Native schools in this district on the 14th January last. A few of the Natives have been employed road-making by the County Council, but the greater number of the people are engaged in the forests preparing timber for the colonial and southern markets. Kauri-gum-digging has not been so extensively followed as formerly, as in many places the supply is exhausted. This, I think, is an advantage to the Natives, as it will cause them to lead a more regular life, and to attend more to their cultivations and homes, and give them less opportunity for drunkenness and its consequent evils. In September last a dispute was occasioned between the Ngatiue and Ngaitu, residing at Punaakitere and Otaua respectively, regarding the right to some eel-fisheries, and the boundaries of land, which at one time threatened to be of a serious nature, but was eventually, at the suggestion of some of the chiefs, settled by arbitration; Marsden Clarke, Esq., E. M. Williams, Esq., R.M., Waimate, myself, and several Native chiefs, acting as arbitrators. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Spencer yon Stunner, Wellington. Resident Magistrate.

No. 4. Mr. E. M. Williams, R.M., Bay of Islands, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir,— Resident Magistrate's Office, Wairaate, 16th May, 1878. In reply to your circular of the 25th of April last, calling for my annual report on the state of the Natives of this district, I have the honor to offer the following remarks : — Since the date of my last report, little change has taken place in the conduct or condition of the Natives of this district. They continue to employ themselves as usual on their cultivations; in kauri-gum-digging; felling, squaring, and drawing timber from the forests; whilst others who possess drays and bullock-teams meet with steady employment from the settlers, in carting their produce to and from the interior. The whale fishery has become an established industry amongst the Natives residing on the coast, who have expended large sums of money in the purchase and fitting out of boats. During the last season three different parties were formed, commanding amongst them fifteen boats, and, the success attending their efforts having encouraged a further outlay, it is expected that during the coming season their operations will be greatly extended, and employment found for a large number of men, many of whom have become experienced whalemen. The Natives are generally acknowledged to be good oarsmen, managing their boats with skill, and the large number of whales passing along the coast at certain seasons of the year give every encouragement of continued success. It is worthy of remark that some of these boats are built by Natives, two of whom, residing at Whangaroa, have proved themselves excellent mechanics. Three or four boats built by them have given so much satisfaction that orders have been received for three or four more. These boats will bear comparison with those of European build. No particular change has taken place in the condition of the Natives since I last reported. Some are aiming to improve their position by adopting European habits and customs; but the greater number appear content to live on as formerly, indifferent to the comforts of civilization, being too far inured to their old habits of life to be induced to abandon them entirely; and in the rising generation must be sought that change which, under a system of training and tuition, may lead them to adopt those habits of civilized life which to the majority of the present race appear so distasteful.

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I trust the Natives are now manifesting a real interest in the education of their children. There are nine village schools established in this district, in which 270 children are receiving instruction; and although in some instances there have been occasional fallings off in the attendance, caused by the parents demanding their assistance in planting and taking up their crops, and sometimes even on the gum fields, yet these schools are doing good work and making satisfactory progress, and the effect upon the Natives generally cannot but be productive of good. Drunkenness I believe to be on the decline; many see the evil of it, and there are leading men amongst them who are exerting their influence to check this evil. lam of opinion that, if the restrictive laws with reference to the sale of spirits to Natives were repealed, the results would be favourable; but so long as a Maori sees a line of distinction drawn between himself and his European neighbour, forbidding him that which is already within his reach, so long will he be determined to have it, and sly grog-selling will be the result, in spite of all legislation. Two cases of land disputes, which at one time threatened a disturbance of the peace, have been settled by arbitration. This mode of settling disputes is gaining favour. At the hearing of the first case it was arranged that on all future occasions the expenses incurred should be defrayed by the disputants. This arrangement was strictly carried out in the second case, food in abundance being provided by both parties, and one guinea per day paid to the arbitrators. Two other cases of a similar nature, still pending, have occasioned me some trouble in negotiating between the parties; and having referred them to the Native Land Court, as the proper tribunal for settling these disputes, the question has been repeatedly asked when a sitting of the Court may next be expected, so long a time having elapsed since a Court was held in this district. , Sickness, as usual, has been prevalent, and several deaths have occurred, three of the Ngapuhi chiefs being included in the number. Hohaia Waikato, the chief who accompanied Hongi on a visit to England, died during the month of September last, and was buried in Russell Churchyard. Hori te Pakiri, a cousin of Waikato's, died on the 15th of last month, and was, at his own request, buried at Kerikeri. Both these chiefs, who died in extreme old age, maintained a constant friendship towards the Europeans from the time that an Englishman first set foot on these shores, and equally so towards the Government since the first establishment of the colony. Tango Hikuwai, son of Whakarua, who for five-and-twenty years acted as one of the Assessors of this district, died in the month of February last, and was buried in Ohaeawae Churchyard. Courts have been regularly held at Waimate, Russell, Kawakawa, and Whangaroa. Civil cases have proved numerous, but there has been very little crime, and in the cases brought forward the Natives have behaved exceedingly well. Two instances may be mentioned of culprits being apprehended by Native constables, and, after conviction, escorted by them to Russell Gaol, no one attempting to interfere, although in both cases the prisoners were well connected, and many of their friends were present. Ido not quote these cases from any ostentatious motives, nor would I aver that every case which may occur in a Native district will so quietly be brought to the same successful issue, but I do say that the establishment of British law amongst these Natives is being steadily advanced, and, if carefully administered, the time may not be far distant when one and all will acknowledge themselves subject to its sway. But caution is still necessary in dealing with an impulsive and excitable people, to whom our laws are strange, and who, though willing to be led, will never submit to be driven; and any hasty or rash proceeding might result in serious difficulties. In conclusion, I have much pleasure in notifying that the district at the present time is in a quiet and orderly state, the conduct of the Natives good, and the general feeling in favour of civilization and British rule. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Edward M. Williams, Wellington. Resident Magistrate.

No. 5. Mr. J. J. Symonds, R.M., Kaipara, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Resident Magistrate's Office, Helensville, Kaipara, Sir,— 16th May, 1878. In accordance with the request contained in your Circular No. 11, of the 25th April, 1878, I have the honor to enclose a report upon the state of the Natives in my district, for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, John Jermyn Symonds, "Wellington. Resident Magistrate.

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Enclosure in No. 5. Sir, — Helensville, Kaipara, 16th May, 1878. It is my pleasing duty to report that the Natives in this district are well-disposed, quiet, and loyal, and live on good terms with the European settlers. They have sold and leased a considerable quantity of their land, and live chiefly upon the proceeds of these sales and least's, so much so that they are not so industrious as in former times, and their cultivations are consequently much neglected. It would be well if some measure could be introduced to prevent the indiscriminate sale of spirits, as a great deal of intemperance prevails amongst them. I have no criminal cases of any importance to record. A few cases of petty larceny have occurred. A census was taken in 1866, showing that the Native population amounted to about 600 souls. The present census, which I have had the honor to transmit to you, and which was very carefully taken, shows an increase of some 300, but I imagine that it was not so easy then as at present to compute their numbers ; and that the former census was considerably below the mark, as, in my opinion, the Natives are decreasing in this district: many deaths from low fever, measles, &c, have occurred lately. As regards education, I am happy to be able to report that the school at Tanoa is in a flourishing condition, under the able management of Mr. Haszard. When I last examined the scholars, I found them very forward in reading and writing, and especially in geography. The buildings are in a good state of preservation. I recommend that a Maori matron be appointed to take charge of the children sent from a distance, which would be the means of greatly increasing the number of scholars. The school at Kaihu is progressing favourably; it has hardly had time to become fairly established. Mr. Baker is very zealous in the performance of his duties. There is also at Woodhill, near Helensville, a mixed school, which is making rapid progress under Mr. Fosbrooke, who is indefatigable in the performance of his duties. Many meetings have been held in the district to discuss matters connected with the sale of land, &c, at Otamatea. Some extraordinary resolutions were passed by the Ngatiwhatua and Uriohau tribes, of a very sweeping nature, and forwarded to the Government. I have reason to believe that these were prompted by Europeans who were desirous of bringing about a change in the mode of purchasing Native land, and in the administration of Native affairs. The acquisition by the Government of certain blocks in the Wairoa—viz., Maunganui and Waipaoa, &c.—has been of much benefit to the district by opening up the road to Hokianga, and has also had the effect of setting at rest the feud of long-standing between the Parore and Uriohau tribes. The intercourse between these up-river Natives and the Europeans is of a very friendly nature, and many of them are engaged in the timber trade. Communication has been opened up by steamer between Kaihu and Tirarau's settlement, from which a road is nearly completed to Whangarei, which will be of great benefit to the district. In conclusion, I may report that the Kaipara District is in a very prosperous condition. The opening of the railroad from Riverhead to Helensville, with a bi-weekly steamer to Wairoa and another to Albertland and Otamatea, has greatly conduced to the benefit of both Europeans and Natives, while the timber and kauri-gum trade affords employment for very many. The absence of the same amount of cultivation which used to exist at the various settlements is the only drawback to the prosperity of the district. I may add that the Natives are in possession of many horses and cattle, and are much improved as to cleanliness of dress and mode of living. My clerk (Mr. Clendon) has been of great assistance to me, and is a zealous and deserving officer. He has been the means of settling many small disputes between Europeans and Natives during my absence on duties connected with the Native Land Court, and has been mainly instrumental in taking the census, which has been done in a very able and comprehensive manner. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, John Jermyn Symonds, Wellington. Resident Magistrate, Kaipara District.

No. 6. Mr. H. T. Kemp, Civil Commissioner, Auckland, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Civil Commissioner's Office, Auckland, 12tli May, 1878. In answer to your circular, requesting a report on the state of the Natives in this district, I have the pleasure to say that, although no marked advance has taken place since I had the honor of addressing you last, the general deportment of the Natives has been quiet and peaceable, with a disposition decidedly in favour of abiding by, or, to use their own more familiar phrase, " listening to and obeying the law." In this respect alone, a point of no small advantage has, I think, been gained, whether it be received in connection with the administration of justice generally or as applied to their own social welfare and improvement. 2. The census now completed, while on the one hand it does not show an increase in the population of the district, does not, on the other side, indicate a perceptible diminution, notwithstanding their improvident and otherwise indolent and irregular habits.

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3. The political element is also making its influence felt with the Native people, while at the same time the sentiment of loyalty to the Government, and respect for the Legislative Assembly of the colony as the supreme authority, remain unchanged. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native-Department, H. T. Kemp, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

No. 7. Mr. T. Jackson, R.M., Papakura aud Waiuku District, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Pokeno, Bth May, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Circular No. 11, requesting my annual report upon the state of the Natives in my district. I beg to state that, this being the first time I have been called upon to report on the above subject, I have not collected the information I should have done had I known such a report would be required from me. Last week I forwarded, together with the Native census taken in this district, a report similar to the one required, containing most of the information within my knowledge. From the census taken in the month of April this year, I find that there are 987 Natives aud half-castes in this district: 422 males over fifteen years of age, 184 under fifteen ; 301 females over fifteen years of age, and 130 under fifteen. Natives residing near European settlements, where they can procure liquor, appear to be decreasing, and I am sure that, unless they cultivate more temperate habits, they will continue rapidly to decrease. In the settlement near the village of Waiuku, there, were living, in 1874, 216 of both sexes, and in April of this year 149 (this latter number includes 16 natives from the Waikato country on a visit to Awhitu for the purpose of digging gum), showing a great decrease in four years. This decrease may be partly accounted for on account of the Natives of the Ngatiteata Tribe having been visited last spring by their chief Aihepene Kaihau, who has resided some years at Te Kuiti. He tried to induce all the Natives over whom he had control, but only succeeded in getting some twenty to leave, selling, before leaving, their crops, cattle, and, if allowed, their land; it no doubt being the intention of Aihepene Kaihau that they should have no inducement to return to their original settlements, but remain near Tawhiao to strengthen his party; and if located by him on suitable land, aud taught habits of industry, it will without doubt be very much to their ultimate benefit. At Waiuku, most of them, when able to get liquor, drank to excess, and spent money which ought to have gone to clothe and feed their wives and children. I have no information as to the increase or decrease of the Natives at Kohekohe, that part having been only recently added to my district; they are much more sober than most of the others, caused principally by the example set them by their chief Major Te Wheoro, who never drinks himself, and exerts all his influence to prevent the people over whom he has authority from doing so. During the past twelve months the Natives from all the settlements have been more desirous than formerly to have their disputes about cattle trespass, conversion of property, cases of assault, and offences caused by cursing, settled in the Resident Magistrate's Court, and on most Court days at Mercer there are some purely Native cases. They find that they are fined and punished by their own people according to the nearness of their connection with the Assessors. Many of the Native settlements, especially those near the European cultivations, contain Natives seeking work, and not connected as regards relationship with the tribe they reside near. When such people commit offences they do not always get justice, especially if they have committed an offence against the chief or his near relatives. At the Wairoa settlement a case of this kind happened : a Native chief, Hori TCingi te Whetuki, had for some years been accustomed to hold Courts, and settle the Native disputes for miles around the place where he resided : sometimes he fined them in round sums, at others he took their horses. This system continued until the Natives themselves found out that he had not legally the power to do so— getting this information, in all probability, from the neighbouring settlers. For my part, as long as they were satisfied, and no great breach of the law was committed, I thought it best to let them settle their own private disputes in their own way; but, in the case I refer to, Hori Kingi, who is an Assessor receiving a salary from the Government, thought that he had been insulted by a Native named Tauhiwhi, belonging to one of the Waikato tribes, accusing him of disrespectful language towards him, aud summoned Tauhiwhi to attend his Court held at Maraetai, tried him iv their fashion—not allowing the accused to give evidence or to produce witnesses in his behalf, — and, after deliberating what their verdict should be, they concluded to fine Tauhiwhi £o. He not being willing to pay, and objecting to their jurisdiction, Hori ordered that his horse should be taken, which was done—an animal worth about £5. Tauhiwhi then came to the Court seeking protection against such a decision, and asking for a warrant to arrest Ilohepa, the party who, by Hori Kingi's orders, took the horse, charging him with larceny. I was unwilling to take such extreme measures with Natives, but advised that he should be sued civilly for conversion of the horse, which was done. When the constable was endeavouring to serve the summons, Tauhiwhi being with him to point out the Native Hohepa, Hori Kiugi interfered and would not allow the bailiff of the Court to

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serve summonses on any of his people, and gave orders for the Native constable stationed there to arrest Tauhiwhi, which he did, handcuffed him, and kept him in confinement for three days, thus making the case a serious one. Tauhiwhi then laid information against Hori Kingi and two others who took part in his arrest. I was compelled after this to take measures to cause these Natives to conform to the law, especially when called upon to do so by one of themselves, a Native bearing a good character. I had some difficulty in getting Hori Kingi to consent to the peaceable service of the summons on himself and the two others, and to persuade him to come to the Court on the day named in the summons. After explaining in a letter the consequences of his not attending, he both consented to the service of the summons and to appear at the time named, which he did. Finding that he was very much hurt (he looking upon it as a great degradation), and although convinced that he had acted wrongly and contrary to law, he was very much afraid that it would lower his status in his own and other tribes, having been accustomed and allowed by them for many years to settle questions similar to the one which was the origin of this offence. Under such circumstances, and Tauhiwhi the prosecutor being willing to withdraw the charge against him on condition that his horse should be returned, and his expenses up to the time appointed for the hearing paid (this being satisfactorily arranged with Hori Kingi), I consented to the case being withdrawn; the object I had in view being obtained— i.e., compelling him and the other Natives to appear at the Court after being summonsed in a criminal case. I mention this case to show the change which is gradually taking place amongst the Natives, proving that there is a tendency to conform to the laws of the white man, and give up their old mode of settling disputes, the former being more suitable to their altering condition. Natives in this district have been very much troubled by trespasses committed by Europeans on their waste lands. This grievance is sometimes caused by members of their own tribe making secret arrangements and receiving money from the party whose cattle commit the trespass. When such is the case it is a difficult question to settle. The Natives residing within the boundaries of this district are, as far as I can judge from their actions aud the information 1 possess, loyal; but I have no doubt most of them sympathize with the party who are endeavouring to form a government to have at its head a Native, and without doubt they are very much influenced by the benefit or not they will derive from adopting such a course. As a rule they conform to the law, aud have when summonsed, with one exception, come to the Court, or left the district for the King country, and when fined have always paid at the times ordered by the Court. In this respect, in this district, they compare favourably with the Europeans. Many of the leading Natives are at present anxiously waiting to hear from the Hon. the Premier when the Native meeting to be held at Hikurangi will take place, they being invited to attend. I have, &c, Thomas Jackson, R.M., The Under Secretary, Native Department, Papakura and Waiuku District. Wellington. Boundaries of Native District. Commences at the south head of the Wairoa River; towards the north-east by the Hauraki Gulf and the Frith of the Thames, following the coast-line in a south-easterly direction to the mouth of the Pukorokoro Creek; towards the south by a right line to the utmost northern source of the Whangamariiio River; thence by that river to its confluence with the Waikato River; thence along the western bank of that river to the mouth of the Whangape; thence by that stream and the northern shore of the Whangape Lake to the mouth of the Awaroa Stream; thence by a line running due west to the West Coast, following the seacoast in a northerly direction to the Manukau Harbour; thence by the Manukau Harbour to the village of Weymouth; and from that village in a straight line to the starting point.

No. 8. Mr. W. G. Mair, R.M., Waikato, to the Under -Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Alexandra, Waikato, 4th May, 1878. In response to your circular of the 25th ultimo, I have the honor to make my annual report upon Native affairs in this district. Several important meetings have been held during the year : one at Kopua, in February, was for the purpose of greeting the Hon. the Premier and the Hon. the Native Minister. The proceedings were, I believe, rather of a formal nature, preliminary to a more important meeting to take place a few days hence at Hikurangi, when there is reason to believe momentous questions will be discussed. The Waikatos are making great prepai-ations for the occasion. Ngatimaniapoto held a meeting at Te Kuiti early in March, for the purpose of discussing the land question, a section of the tribe living at Lower Mokau having shown a disposition to lease land in that neighbourhood. This meeting resulted in an agreement by all the chiefs of Ngatimaniapoto and several of the

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Ngatituwharetoa, from Taupo, not to part with an acre of land anywhere, on any pretence whatever. I have nothing particular to remark about the health of the district: there have been some cases of whooping-cough, but, strange to say, though the disease was very prevalent among the Europeans in Waikato, it does not appear to have spread among the Maoris. The demand for medical aid is increasing, Dr. Blunden, who has been recently appointed Native medical officer, having to bestow a great amount of time as well as medicine upon them. Several chiefs of high standing have died, the principal being Takerei te Rau and Te Wetini Pakuko Natu. The Armed Constabulary arc pushing on the Cambiidge-Taupo Road. The opposition to this work, on the part of a section of the Ngatiraukawa, through whose land the extension of the road will run, is much diminished; but it is understood that the Kingites still offer a formal opposition to the road being carried beyond the southern boundary of the alienated land. Ngatiraukawa are negotiating the sale of several blocks of land to Europeans, and surveys have already been made, with, in some instances, slight opposition. A sitting of the Native Land Court is advertised to take place shortly at Hamilton; there are a great number of cases set down for hearing. Petty larceny and horse-stealing have not decreased, and there have been many summary convictions, and several committals to the Supreme Court; but crimes of a more serious nature are rare. Drunkenness is much less common; there is a little occasionally in the towns, but spirits are not permitted to be used at the Hauhau meetings. Excitement, however, of some kind is indispensable among the young people at their gatherings, and they seek it in the shape of music and dancing. The crops have been good ; grain-growing for market is increasing, and the demand for steel mills and for agricultural implements is, of course, much greater. The Waikatos are still moving towards Hikurangi and Kopua, while Ngatimaniapoto show a disposition to concentrate at Te Kuiti. The " Kupapa," or " Friendlies," are still a long way behind the Hauhaus in prosperity; they do not appear to be any better circumstanced than they were ten years ago. They are by no means a thrifty people. A large party of them (Ngatinaho) came up last year by invitation (so they said) of Manuhiri to cultivate on the Puniu; but, after planting a large quantity of potatoes, and getting up a quarrel with the local Natives about the ground, they left the crop unfenced and untended, and it is now rotting in the field. In conclusion, I may say that the year has not been an eventful one, and that consequently I had not the materials for a lengthy report. The Under Secretary, Native Department, I have, &c, Wellington. W. G. Mair.

No. 9. Mr. W. Harsant, R.M., Raglan, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir,— Raglan, Bth May, 1878. It affords me much satisfaction that I can send a more favourable Maori report this year than I have done for two or three years past. Although on the boundary line, and having so many King Natives living in an.d around the district, yet, altogether, I can say they are law-abiding : certainly we have had no serious crime, and little drunkenness, among them during the year. Perhaps much cannot be said for them on the score of their religious belief, or for their social habits; nevertheless the two races are living on quiet and friendly terms. This has been a remarkably healthy year with the Natives—no epidemic, except whoopingcough, just now; little fever; and I never knew them so well off for food. Still, under these favourable circumstances, they are diminishing in number, one great cause of which is the sterility of their women. Perhaps their partial adoption of European dress and habitations, and their now living so universally on low ground instead of upon the hills, as formerly, tends to bring on the pulmonary and the various other forms of scrofulous disease so prevalent among them. We have had two slight land disputes : one at the Ruapuke, which seems settled; the other at Wainui, at the foot of Kairoi. Mr. Marshall, it was thought, had settled the affair in every respect favourably for the Natives, and I believe a little firmness shown towards them would end it. Just at this time almost all the Natives are gone to Hikurangi. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, W. Harsant, Wellington. Resident Magistrate.

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No. 10. Mr. R. S. Bush to the Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Sir, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Raglan, 25th May, 1878. In reply to your circular of 25 th ultimo, I have the honor to transmit the usual annual report on Native matters in this district. Condition of Natives. During the past year I have visited the different tribes resident in the district as heretofore. There has been no infectious disease amongst them during the past year, until the last month or so, since which time the hooping-cough has been prevalent throughout the district, both amongst the Europeans and Natives: nevertheless the deaths since my last report have nearly doubled the births, and I am of opinion that during the past five years the deaths in this district have averaged in the proportion of ten to eight births, which proves that the Maori is slowly decreasing in numbers. The census which I have just completed shows a total of 1,321. Out of these, there are 448 males over the age of fifteen, and 424 females over the age of fifteen, and 259 males and 190 females under the age of fifteen years. Of this number, about 820 are Kingites and 501 f'riendlies. Their moral condition, such as it is, will bear comparison with that of other districts. I only do them justice when I say that they are the most sober aud best-conducted tribes I have been amongst. In support of this, I would here state that only two Natives have been convicted for petty thefts during the last five years; and on the average one Native is fined for disorderly conduct and drunkenness every year. Drunkenness as it was seems a thing of the past, except amongst that class of Natives who make it a practice to hang about our settlements. Although some 3,000 Natives were present at the late Hikurangi meeting, not a single case of drunkenness occurred, spirits being forbidden by order of Tawhiao. The order was so strictly enforced that one European present who transgressed it had a bottle of brandy taken away by the Native police, as soon as they learned he had one in his possession. A day or two previous to the arrival of the Premier and Native Minister at Alexandra, Te Kooti reached Hikurangi with a following of about fifty. The police ascertained he had spirits with him; he was consequently ordered away from the place of meeting, and returned to Te Kuiti. A few years ago no notice would have been taken of the advent of spirituous liquors amongst them : in fact the Natives themselves used to manufacture a kind of spirit from maize and sugar, which was largely consumed at their huis. Their new Tariao religion is not adhered to with the same warmth that it was a year or two ago. The services seldom take place now oftener than night and morning. Disposition. Every year seems to bring about a better feeling amongst the Kingite section of the Native race, who are apparently becoming tired of the seclusion which they have entailed on themselves for several years past; they now long for a return to the former state of affairs. Men even of the Maneha aud Kiwi stamp are anxious for me to visit them at their settlement at Te Taharoa, South Kawhia, and have given me repeated invitations to go there pheasant-shooting. I have not, up to the present, availed myself of their invitations. The late meeting at Hikurangi will do much to improve the good feeling so much desired by all the right-thinking chiefs, and must eventually prove of great assistance to Tawhiao in checking those of his subjects who are at times turbulently inclined. During my experience amongst the Natives, I have never seen so large a gathering where more good feeling was displayed than I have on this occasion, or the same good order maintained. It will be heedless for me to narrate what passed at the meeting, as I presume that will be fully and officially reported upon by the honorable the Ministers who were present: suffice it if I say that, from the reception to the termination, the Natives appeared anxious to be thought well of, and to show their desire for a speedy settlement of the present unsatisfactory state of affairs. The Tekau-ma-rua, who have not adopted the Tariao form of religion, adhere to Te Whiti and Tohu, the Taranaki prophets. These allege that there will have to be a meeting at Waitara, the place where blood was first spilt. They base their ideas on the first verses of the 27th chapter of the Gospel of St. Matthew. According to the Tekau-ma-rua, this meeting must take place before the final settlement can be made. Te Aroha, of the Akitai, is the head of the Tekau-ma-rua amongst the Waikato King party. These people make periodical visits to Te Whiti. The breach between the Maniapoto and Waikato King party apparently widens every year. I notice a growing desire, amongst the different sections of the Natives residing in this district, to procure warlike stores, which, for want of a better reason, I attribute mainly to the above split; and I think lam not far wrong, when it is remembered that, as this breach has widened, the anxiety of Tawhiao and his Waikato Kingite followers has increased in the same ratio to unite all the Waikato tribes as one people. I am inclined to think against a tribal enemy Waikato would be united. The Ngatimaniapoto have for some years past been endeavouring to get rid of the Waikatos from their territory, and have partly succeeded in removing them to

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Hikurangi from Tc Kuiti. No doubt the pressure brought to bear on the Wailcatos from this source is making them anxious as to the future. Crops. The crops throughout the district are more extensive, and have turned out better than they have for several years past. If the pernicious system of large gatherings amongst the Natives could be abolished, most tribes would have plenty for their own wants, and also some for the market. Hone te One has purchased a one-horse-power threshing machine at a cost of £36. It would be a good thing for the Native race if more men of rank like Hone displayed the same amount of industry in agricultural pursuits as he does. Public Works. No public works have been executed by the Natives during the past year. The Ngatihaua. This tribe, who reside within a radius of forty miles from Cambridge, I have visited periodically during the past year. Their principal kainga is at Maungatautari, which bids fair to be as large a settlement as it formerly was. The Natives there intend to cultivate wheat extensively this season, and have already ploughed several acres of land. They have arranged with their European miller to remain with them, and, as an inducement to him to stop, they have given him the use of a plough and pair of bullocks. The Wharepapa people talk of removing to Korakonui, a place nearer to Kihikihi than their former kainga. The majority of the people who lived at Wharepapa now reside at Hikurangi with Tawhiao. The friendly sections of this tribe reside at Tamahere, Maungakeha, and Matamata. These last are much scattered in small numbers along the banks of the Waitoa River. I do not perceive any change in these people from last year, excepting that perhaps they are not quite such heavy drinkers as they were a few years since. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. R. S. Bush.

No. 11. Mr. Brabant to the Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Sir, — Tauranga, 10th June, 1878. In accordance with your instructions, I have the honor to lay before you my annual report on the state of the Native population, as follows : — I. Tauranga District. There is little or no change in the physical condition of the Natives since my last report. This has been a good year as regards food, and they have not had much sickness amongst them; but it must be evident to every one who knows them that they are fast decreasing iv numbers. The census just taken shows the Native population of this district to be now 1,086, against 1,245 in 1874, being a decrease of 159 in four years. The very few children they have, in proportion to the adults, is a noticeable fact. An attempt has been made to get the chiefs to register the births and deaths, which will provide records useful to Government. Dr. Armitage, the medical officer, has attended the sick and supplied them with medicines. They have also been assisted, as usual, in illness with food, medical comforts, &c. I cannot say that the moral condition of the Natives has impi'oved during the past year. The convictions at the Resident Magistrate's Court were—For larceny, 5 ; for drunkenness, 12 ; for other offences, 3. There were, however, no offences charged against Natives of a more serious nature. In a good many of the civil cases brought before the Resident Magistrate's Court, Natives have been either plaintiffs or defendants. The Assessors and other chiefs have rendered me every assistance in any disputes which have arisen between Natives. The investigation of titles to land, under the Tauranga Lands Act, has been proceeded with by me during the past year, although not so much work has been got through as the year before. This has partly been caused by delays in getting the land surveyed, and partly by the fact that the Natives, having now no great extent of land which is available for disposal to Europeans, are but lukewarm as to selling their titles. One block, however, has been completed, others partially heard; and the large and fiercely-contested Waitaha and Otawa claims have been reheard before Mr. H. T. Clarke, who was appointed a Special Commissioner for the purpose. The Pirirakau and other so-called Hauhau hapus have given less trouble during the past year, and I hope will soon be as amenable to the law as the other Natives of the district. 2— G. 1.

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The Natives generally are still industrious. Agriculturists have grown more maize than usual this year, besides wheat, and have also continued to supply labour to the European farmers. But few of the Natives in this district are now nominal Christians, the large majority of them having given in their adherence to the superstition called " Te Kooti's karakia." They show but little interest in educational matters : the school which existed at Whareroa had to be given up on account of non-attendance of scholars, and the buildings have been utilized as a boarding-house for sons of Native chiefs attending the Tauranga District School. I have already six in this institution, which number is to be increased to twelve or more, as suitable youths present themselves. 11. Maketu District. My remarks as to the physical condition of Natives in the Tauranga District apply also to this. The census returns show a decrease from 2,955 to 2,219 ; but this large difference is caused by over 600 Natives having been, in the census of 187-1, included in the Maketu District, who more properly belonged to Opotiki. Taking this into consideration, though there is a diminution in numbers, it is not a very large one. I believe that the absence of a medical man in this district causes the mortality to be greater than it should be, and I may remark that one is much needed in the Lake country, both by Natives and Europeans, although Captain Mair has, with his customary kindness, assisted the Natives with medicines and comforts in sickness. The moral condition of the Natives appears to me improving about Maketu, but at Ohinemutu, and the parts visited by tourists, drunkenness and debauchery are far too common. This is to be attributed, in a great measure, to the absence of European police, and I am glad to say that my representations on this subject have resulted in a promise that one or more constables shall be stationed there when a police-station has been built. The all-absorbing topic of interest amongst the Natives during the past year has been the land question, and the Land Court now sitting at Maketu. If it were only from the consideration of the time spent by the Natives in discussing these land questions, it must be evident that they will really be better off when some of these lands have passed into the hands of Europeans who will work them. I have visited Ohinemutu and Maketu, especially the former, frequently during the last year, to hold Courts, &c, assisted occasionally by Captain Preece, though, from the little work I have had as Commissioner of Lands, I have not had to call on that gentleman frequently. The inland Natives are very litigious, and generally keep a Magistrate sitting from two to three days at the monthly Court held at Ohiuemutu. Several of the Native Assessors attend this Court regularly, and are of great assistance to the sitting Magistrate. There has been no difficulty, with their assistance, in carrying into effect the judgments of the Court. I am glad to remark a general desire on the part of the Natives to repair their old flour-mills, and to grow wheat as a crop again. The Government assistance given and promised to repair these mills appears a real boon to them. Five Native schools are in operation in this district, with a marked degree of success in one case, and with a moderate degree in others. 111. Opotiki District. This district I have visited once during the past year. I remark that the Natives in one part of it are not decreasing so fast as they are in other parts. One tribe, the Whakatohea, I believe to be even increasing in numbers. The Natives in this district, especially the Whakatohea, Whauau a te Hutu, and Whanau a Maru, continue to be conspicuous for their industry as agriculturists. They appear to be turning their attention to the leasing of their lands, and are bringing a number of claims before the Land Court. The Urewera Tribe, who some years since were so troublesome, appear now to be as amenable to the wishes of the Government as others. There are five Native schools in this district, some of which have been very successful, and a considerable number of Maori children, attend the district school at Opotiki. The system of sending Native children to our common schools should, in my opinion, receive every encouragement from the Government. Referring generally to the Bay of Plenty, Sir, the Natives will be found to be in such a state of order and advancement as leaves but little to report on. Any disputes which have occurred during the past year have been about land titles. When these occur they still talk of appealing to arms, but in every other respect they are as amenable to the law when administered with discretion as could be hoped for. I have, &c, Herbert W. Brabant, R.M., The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Native Officer, Bay of Plenty.

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No. 12. Captain Preece, R.M., Opotiki, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Opotiki, 6th June, 1878. In compliance with instructions contained in your Circular No. 11, of the 25th April, I have the honor to forward the following report of the Natives in this district for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister. Industrial Pursuits. The Natives in this district, especially those at Opotiki, Omaio, Te Kaha, and Raukokore, continue to be industrious and well-behaved. Seven thousand two hundred bushels of wheat and twelve thousand eight hundred and eighty-four bushels of maize were grown this year at Te Kaha, Omaio, and Raukokore, besides large quantities at other places. The Te Kaha Natives have repaired their old flour-mill at Maraetai, at a cost of £120; it is now in full working order. The Whakatane Natives have collected money for a flour-mill, but up to the present time they have taken no active steps towards having it erected, owing to the jealousy existing between the two tribes : each party want to have a mill of their own, and, as they have not sufficient funds to erect two mills, the matter stands in abeyance. I have tried several times to persuade them to put their funds together for the purpose of having one mill. The Natives at Rangitaike have commenced to grow wheat, but only sowed a small quantity last year; they intend to plant on a large scale this year. These Natives have also taken to sheep-farming; they brought 400 sheep from Napier last year, and intend to get 600 more this year. Te Warn and his tribe of ex-rebels continue to cultivate on the land at Waiotahi which was given to them by the Government. They had about fifty acres under crop last year. They have applied to the Waste Land Board to have a piece of laud put up for sale, which they are anxious to purchase. Several other Natives of this district have applied to purchase Crown land. Native Schools. There are six Native schools in this district—viz., at Te Kaha, Omaio, Torere, Omaramutu, Whakatane, and Fort Galatea. The attendance at the two first has continued to be good. The Torere School has only lately been opened; the attendance has been good up to the present. The attendance at Whakatane and Omaramutu has not been good; and the school at Fort Galatea has been virtually closed since the beginning of January last, owing to the master being away from his post on sick leave. The average attendance of Native children at the Opotiki District School during the last two quarters has been twenty-seven. I think that the system of educating Native children at the district schools is likely to be far more satisfactory in its results than that of the Native schools established in the immediate vicinity of their own settlements. Condition, Moral and Social. With regard to the Opotiki Natives, I am happy to state that they conduct themselves very well; there is very little drunkenness amongst them, and their moral condition generally will compare favourably with the Natives of other districts. The Urewera drink more than the other tribes; they take quantities of spirits to their own settlements, where they drink to excess at their " huis" or meetings, which take place frequently : they have generally behaved well in the township. The general health of the Natives has been good; there has been no epidemic amongst them this year. Only two Natives of note have died during the present year—viz., Tamatemaerangi, an old chief and Government pensioner, at Te Kaha, and Peraniko Parakiri, chief of the Ngatimauawa, at Fort Galatea. The loss of the last-mentioned chief will be felt very much in that part of the district, as he was a well-behaved and loyal man. There have been a number of cases before the Resident Magistrate's Court in which Natives have been concerned —viz., civil cases between Natives, 11; Natives against Europeans, 7; Europeans against Natives, 27. The latter were principally overdue accounts to storekeepers. The number of criminal cases was 30, and against 26 defendants and prisoners, for the following offences—viz.: Larceny—committed for trial, 1; summarily convicted, 3; dismissed on merits, 3; breach of Municipal Police Act —convicted, 11; dismissed, 1; drunkenness, 10; under Vagrant Act, 1; assaults, 7; other cases, 3. In some of the above cases Natives were prosecuiors. The Urewera Tribe are gradually becoming more amenable to the law; several cases from their part of the district have been adjudicated on during the present year, in some of which both parties belonged to the said tribe. Census. A Native census has been taken, which shows the population of the district to be 2,775. The census of 1874 was 2,711. Although the number is more than shown in 1874, there is really a decrease, as two hapus, which I have included in my return, were in the Maketu District census of that year. In conclusion, I beg to state that a thoroughly good feeling exists between the Maoris and Europeans. Some of the Natives of the Whakatohea Tribe cultivate lands in the district which

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adjoin that of Europeans. Others have expressed a desire to purchase small pieces of Crown lands in the Opotiki Valley, in order that they may have better facilities for taking their crops to market. I have, &c., The Under Secretary, Native Department, George A. Preece, Wellington. Resident Magistrate.

No. 13. Mr. J. H. Campbell, R.M., Waiapu, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir,— . Waiapu, 23rd May, 1878. In compliance with the request contained in your circular letter of the 25th April, I have the honor to report very favourably of the general condition of the Native population of this district during the past year. Industry is increasing; more attention is being paid to comfort and cleanliness in their dwellings, dress, and mode of living; and a growing disposition towards temperance is noticeable on all occasions of their meeting together. The late season has been most fruitful, and food of all kinds is abundant. Less sickness than usual has prevailed, and fewer deaths. The census return lately taken does not show a very great decrease in the population during the last four years. This may be owing to the fact that many who had, during the disturbances, gone to other parts of the Island, have since returned to their homes. The schools at Waiomatatine and Akuaku are doing well, the average attendance being from fifty to sixty scholars. The people of this immediate neighbourhood are to hold a meeting this week for the purpose of ascertaining what number of children can be secured for regular attendance at the Waiapu School, before applying to the Government to have the school reopened. The attendance at Kawakawa and Tokomaru Schools is improving. Judging by the amount of success that has attended these schools at their first establishment, there is every reason to hope that the effort to benefit the Native race will be the means, eventually, of fitting many of the rising generation to become useful members of the community. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, J. H. Campbell, Wellington. Resident Magistrate.

No. 14. Captain Porter, Gisborne, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Native Office, Gisborne, sth June, 1878. I have the honor, in accordance with your instructions contained in Circular No. 11, of 25th April last, to furnish a report upon the circumstances of the Natives in this district. The condition and feeling of the Natives show a marked change, chiefly attributable to the large increase of European population, and the consequent closer intercoivrse with European civilization. In the beginning of last year the habits of drunkenness, extravagance, and neglect of ordinary cultivation were painfully apparent to those who wish the Natives well. This state of things was principally owing to the large expenditure of capital in the purchase of lauds by the Government and by private investors. These easily-gotten funds had the usual effect, as in almost every village was to be found a house for the sale of spirits, kept by some Native who had succeeded in obtaining sufficient funds to enable him to open a publichouse on his own account. In the years 1876-77 there were no less than fifty-two houses for the sale of spirits between the Turanganui River and Hicks Bay, forty-two of which were kept by Natives. The spread of Good-Templarism has tended to greatly remedy this evil, which I feared would reduce the Natives to a confirmed state of intemperance and poverty. Another powerful lever in the change taking place is the general desire to institute some system of self-government; and committees or bodies somewhat analogous with the old runangas have been established, and have exerted a strong influence upon the state of the Natives, both in habits and in land matters. It would be wise to encourage, to a limited extent, this selfgovernment in out-districts, particularly in connection with land disputes. The committees, as now formed, although evincing a laudable self-reliance, have threatened to become dangerous by the wrongful assumption of unauthorized powers. A very earnest return to religious observances is now general throughout the tribes, and funds have been and are still being raised for the erection of churches, and the foundation of stipend funds to support Native clergymen. The attendance at the Native schools continues regular, and several applications have been made for the erection of schools at settlements not already so favoured. I have, &c, T. W. Porter, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Captain and Adjutant, Wellington. Commanding East Coast District,

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No. 15. Mr. R. W. Woon, R.M., Wanganui, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Native Office, Wanganui, 28th May, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular letter of the 25th April last, requesting me, hy direction of the Hon. the Native Minister, to furnish au annual report upon the state of the Natives in my district. In conformity therewith, I beg to make the following report:— First, as to the state of Native feeling. No great change has come about during the past year, although it is liable to fluctuate. One notable event has been the erection of a large runanga-house, or council-room, at Putiki Pa, opposite the town of Wanganui, on the Native reserve, now a property of immense value to the Natives, and where, in course of time, a town will spring up. This quasi parliament house was erected by Mete Kingi, Hairaona, and other chiefs, as a building wherein the Wanganui tribes might meet periodically for the discussion of all matters affecting the Natives. The building is unique in construction, being a composite of European and Maori material and mode of workmanship, and has a most pleasing effect. It cost something considerable in both labour and money ; and, from the number of carvings and ornamental work, both within and without, has become quite an object of attraction, and is well worth a visit by strangers. On the 13th August last the building was opened, and a number of European ladies and gentlemen attended by invitation from Mete Kingi, and partook of a most substantial luncheon, served up in true English style, with Maori young ladies, dressed in the height of fashion, as waiters, under the supervision of Victoria Kemp. Upon the following day the house was formally opeued, and the discussion of a number of subjects affecting both races commenced, and lasted for about one Aveek. A second meeting was also held in April last, prior to the sitting of Parliament in July next, so as to afford time for petitioning the Assembly at its then sitting for redress of grievances, and amendment of laws applicable to the Maoris. As usual, laud was the principal topic of conversation and debate. At the first meeting in August, an effort was made to " tapu" several large tracts of country, and to forbid their being surveyed for lease or sale The majority of the meeting agreed to this policy, being a last effort in opposition to the selling proclivities of an influential number of Natives. A short time has proved that such a determination could not be carried out, as, owing to the persistent acts of the land-sellers and others, Mete Kingi, Kemp, and other leading chiefs, who were asked to hold the interdicted land for the tribes, publicly, at last meeting, gave up their charge of same, and announced to the assembled Natives that for the future the Native landowners must use their own discretion, and hold or sell as they thought proper; that they were free to exercise their own right in the matter. The result has been an openly-mani-fested desire on the part of the Natives here to deal with their land, and numerous fresh surveys of blocks are being undertaken in all directions. At the last meeting at Te Paku-o-te-rangi (Mete's meeting-house), three main topics were discussed—l. A more complete representation, and a status in Parliament. 2. A share in the administration of their land, to include the investigation into title thereof by a Maori committee in connection with the Native Land Court, and by authority of law. 3. An amendment in the form of Crown grant for Native reserves, whereby same could be secured to their lineal descendants by entail general. Major Kemp and Mete Kingi were appointed delegates to bring these matters under the notice of the Assembly, by Bill or petition, as maybe advised by the Hon. the Native Minister. This question, the administration of their lands, is one of momentous import to the Wanganui tribes, seeing they are the owners of vast tracts of territory, which are daily increasing in value, whilst the original owners thereof are fast passing away. During the next few years the Natives will be quite absorbed in the business of dealing with their surplus lands, and their minds will be quite unhinged, and I am afraid demoralized, thereby. Unfortunately, they are a most improvident race, their principles being, " Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die." One or two large blocks of land have been sold here lately to Native land agents, at an increased price from that offered by the Government; and the effect will be a disinclination in future on the part of the Natives to deal in any other mode with their lands, unless it can be shown to them that their interests will be better conserved by vesting the administration thereof in a Board, in which they will have a voice. This is a matter requiring the immediate attention of the Legislature, for, unless the law is soon altered, vast tracts of land will pass into the hands of European capitalists and monopolists, whereby the settlement of the country will be in a manner retarded. Millions of acres will in a few years be for disposal by one race to the other, and the mode of dealing adopted will be one of vital consequence to the well-being of both races. It is to be hoped that the public interests will not be allowed to suffer, but that justice will be done to both races through the wise laws of the country, and that ere long the vast interior will teem with an industrious European, and perhaps Maori, population. As a consequence of this increased traffic in Maori lands, many disputes will arise amongst the claimants thereto; and there will be au increased danger of the peace being disturbed, and some fighting taking place amongst the Natives themselves. This risk, however, is much lessened as time rolls on, the Natives every day becoming more amenable to law, and less liable

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to resort to force in the settlement of their land disputes. It is an evident sign of the pacific disposition of the Natives that during late years many land quarrels have been arranged through the intervention of the Native Assessors (a most useful body of men) and other loyal chiefs; and the Government is to be congratulated upon the hitherto great success which has attended the peace policy adopted by the Parliament of the country. The confidence of the Natives is fast being gained by a Government which, whilst endeavouring to uphold the law, affords ample protection to the aboriginals of the country. Speaking of the Natives of these parts, I feel bound to refer to an oft-expressed satisfaction on their part at the advent to power of the present Premier, Sir George Grey, their former Governor and patron; and of the Hon. Mr. Sheehan, as successor to the late lamented Sir Donald McLean, like whom he is looked up to as their friend and protector. Great disappointment has been felt at their not having as yet paid Wanganui a visit, which is excused upon the ground that other less loyal tribes required looking after first, and that in due course the Wanganuis would receive the attention they deserve as the staunch supporters and allies of the Queen. Touching the moral and physical condition of the Natives, no improvement has taken place : in fact, they have retrograded, owing to their improvident and lavish expenditure of moneys recently received for their lands, the bulk of the money having been spent in food and drink. Drunkenness, I am sorry to say, is on the increase, and I look forward with apprehension to the consequences to the Native population, owing to their increasing desire and thirst for spirits, which threatens to be their ruin. The example set to them in this respect by certain of our countrymen, combined with their natural propensity for drink, has been attended with sad results; aud one of the principal settlements, Iruharama, was lately the scene of frightful drunkenness and immorality. The Natives here are now passing through a fiery trial, out of which tbey will not come unscathed. A reaction will no doubt take place, but the result to many a poor Maori will be death and destruction without remedy. A very serious part of the business is the poisonous nature of much of the spirits supplied to the Natives in Wanganui; for, on submitting some of it to proof and analysis, it was found to be considerably drugged, and the effect upon the imbibers can well be imagined. Another sad feature of the case is that all, men, women, and children, partake of the strong waters, aud show the utmost want of discretion and downright folly in tbe matter, and are lost to all shame and feelings of decency and propriety. When remonstrated with, the general answer is, " Don't preach to us; you brought the liquor to the country, and it is for you to forbid its importation." No great improvement can be looked for until the race give up their ancient customs and habits, and the communism of the Maori pa ceases to be one of such debasing, demoralizing, and soul-degrading habits. An individualization and partition of their landed property will be the most effectual remedy for these evils, for the Native is most imitative in his proclivities, aud when he begins to find that he is protected in the sole enjoyment of his property he will set a higher value upon it, become more thrifty, and advance in habits of sobriety and cleanliness, and the example of the industrious and enterprising European farmers and settlers will be followed, and a competency secured for tbe benefit of themselves and their offspring. In matters of religion, the Wanganui Natives are still deprived of the ministrations of an English missionary, and they are, as described by themselves, " like sheep without a shepherd." Representations have been made to the Bishop of the Anglican Church, and to tbe Church Missionary Society, but hitherto without avail. A serious responsibility lies at their door, for there is an ample field of usefulness, at present unoccupied, amongst a Maori population of some three thousand souls. The Church of England should either at once send a zealous, indefatigable, and self-sacrificing missionary to these people, or withdraw from the field, which would then soon be occupied by either the Catholic or Wesleyan body. There is but one solitary church now standing on the river, where there used to be more than a dozen : not that the Natives are indisposed to build new ones, for, if looked after and assisted, money and material would be forthcoming for the erection of temples for the worship of the Great Creator; and without which, and the services therein conducted, He may not be propitiated, and wrath and punishment will rest upon the people, as is the case now-a-days, when the race seems to be retrograding and fast dying out. Anything that can be done for the amelioration and perpetuation of the Maori race is an object well worthy the aim of any Government or Church. In agricultural pursuits a retrograde movement has taken place, and, owing to the minds of the Natives having been absorbed in land business, the last planting season was almost allowed to slip by without any of the usual crops being put in the ground, except such as were sown at a late period. Fortunately, the season proved an abundant one, and none of the crops were destroyed by drought or flood, and therefore there will be no lack of food. Very little wheat has been sown this year, although two of their flour-mills have been completed, and the services of an excellent miller secured. A number of old wheat-stacks have, however, been threshed out and turned into flour at the Koriniti and Kawana Kerei Mills; and lam hopeful that next season a large quantity of grain will be sown by the Wanganui Natives. Tenders have just been accepted for building the Pipiriki Mill; so tbat soon there will be three good serviceable iron flour-mills on the Wanganui River. The example of the Natives in this respect has been followed by the European settlers, and several water and steam flour-mills have been erected at Wanganui and the coast settlements. There is nothing to prevent this becoming a grain-growing

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as well as a pastoral district, and more wheat than necessary for home consumption can easily be raised. When the interior is thrown open the farmers will be more certain of their crop, as, owing to the shelter there afforded from the coast winds, all kinds of cereals will be raised in abundance and periodical certainty. Nothing further has been done in the matter of sericulture or hop-growing. They have abundance of hop-plants and mulberry-trees, but the Natives lack the knowledge and experience necessary to make these important industries a success where all other circumstances are so favourable for their development. The Natives seem more disposed to go in for the raising of stock, and almost every settlement now has its flock of sheep, besides horses and cattle ; and much ground has been cleared, and grass sown thereon, on both sides of the river for pasture grounds for said animals. Soon it will be the happy lot of the traveller to be treated by the Maoris, renowned for hospitality, with a kid from the fold, or a lamb from the flock, with butter, honey, &c, wherewith to regale his appetite and satisfy the cravings of hunger under the shade and shelter of some wide-spreading palm-tree, on the luxuriant banks of the Wanganui. Such trees will then become useful as well as ornamental, and I have asked the Maori woodcutter on many occasions "to spare the tree" (the New Zealand palm) for above-named reasons. Several bales of wool, the produce of the up-river Maori flocks, were disposed of in Wanganui at last clip at satisfactory prices, and in all probability the Natives here, as elsewhere, will soon become extensive flock-owners; and as the leases of some of their runs expire, they will be prepared to stock them themselves, and partake of all the profits arising from this paying branch of industry. Such idea has already occupied their minds, and will soon be acted upon. No public works have been undertaken this year; but an appeal has lately been made by the Tuhua Natives to the Government for assistance in making a road in the interior, to connect the Upper Wanganui lands (where several blocks have only recently been acquired) with the Tongariro and Morimotu Plains, whereby an outlet would be made from vast tracks of unexplored territory to the more open and available country. To my mind, such an undertaking is well worthy of consideration, as it would help towards throwing open the interior for settlement, and further the continued progress of the colony. The said road would tap one of the most isolated and distant of localities situated on the widest and most central part of the Island, hitherto an interdicted country, and containing millions of acres of rich forest lands, level and hilly, and no doubt rich in mineral wealth. As to other matters likely to prove of interest to the colony, I might mention the recent enumeration of the Maori population in my district, the Wanganui River from Kaiwhaiki (twelve miles from town) to the source. As shown by the census returns, a Native population occupies the various settlements on the banks of the river, of some two thousand souls. The disparity between the sexes is not so great, but there are considerably more adults than children, and, of necessity, during the next decade of years or so there will be a great falling off in the the number. Owing to the system of registry now adopted the late census will be more accurate and reliable than any previous one; but, notwithstanding, I venture to predict that a decrease will be found in the grand total of the Maori population (taken in March last), as compared with the census of 1874. Owing to the intemperate and dissolute habits of the parents many of their children die in infancy from negligence and hereditary disease. Everything has been done by a paternal Government to relieve the wants and necessities of the sick by the services of Native medical officers in town, and the gratuitous dispensation of medicines through the Native teacher at Iruharama, the most populous pa on the river. The Natives highly appreciate this attention to their wants, more particularly the supply of medicines, and are continually coming to the teacher for medical advice and prescriptions. Mr. Nickless is indeed performing a good work at Jerusalem, in doing all he can to educate the Maori youth, and benefit their parents by all means in his power. His services have lately received that appreciation they fully deserved, by the Government, in the shape of an increase of pay. In the absence of a missionary his presence amongst the Maoris helps to prevent their entirely forgetting the duties of religion. The schoolroom is almost the only place on the river now where regular worship is kept up on the Sabbath, and only recently his Lordship the Bishop of Wellington held his services there to crowded congregations, and, in his able and eloquent style, rivetted the attention of his audience, whilst he reasoned with them " of righteousness, temperance, and the judgment to come." During the past year fewer cases have come before the Court for adjudication than usual, partly owing to the diminution of quarrels and misunderstandings amongst the Maoris, and partly to the preference given to the Native committee, which accounts for its proceedings to the tribe, including the appropriation of the fees and fines, in which the litigants are often heavily mulcted. I have had only one really serious criminal case to deal with lately, and that was one where, over a land dispute, one of the parties cut down the other with a bill-hook, inflicting a severe incised wound on the arm. The aggressor gave himself up to justice, through the intervention of the Native Assessor, Hakaraia, and was committed by me for trial at the Supreme Court, where the Grand Jury took a merciful and lenient view of the case, and threw out the bill. As already stated, the public peace is always more or less liable to be disturbed over these land quarrels; and now, as there are so many surveys going on, it would be well in all disputed

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cases for the Government Surveyor to exercise a wise discretion, and never push the survey in the face of excitement and probable strife, but rather postpone further operations till such excitement had subsided, and the chiefs and assessors interfered to secure an amicable arrangement of the difficulty. In this and like matters, as time rolls on, the Natives become more or less amenable to law, and the risk of any collision or disturbance of the peace is correspondingly lessened. With regard to the " Native difficulty," such source of trouble and anxiety is fast dying out, and may almost now be reckoned as a thing of the past; and ere long the whole Maori race will acknowledge the rightful sway of our gracious Queen, and peace and plenty will abound. In the matter of schools, I am concerned to say that the village day-school system has proved a failure notwithstanding the success attending its introduction here. Both systems have been fairly tried in the country, and the result has not been satisfactory. An attempt will shortly be made here by private enterprise, fostered by the Government, to establish a girls' boarding-school. It is sincerely to be hoped that the effort may meet with the success it deserves, not only in the interest of the Natives, but as a reward to him who has evinced so true and genuine a feeling of philanthropy toward the Maori race. Before concluding this report I wish to say that, owing to failing health and strength, I think it not improbable that this may be my last report for Parliament. Anticipating such an event I would here take an affectionate leave of the Government and country which I have served for close on a quarter of a century, and of those honored members of the Legislature to whom I am not unknown, including him to whom, as the Governor of New Zealand, I owed my first appointment. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Richard W. Woon, Wellington. Resident Magistrate.

No. 16. Mr. R. Ward, R.M., Morton, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Resident Magistrate's Court, Marton, Ist May, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular letter No. 11, dated 25th April, requesting me to furnish my annual report on the state of the Natives in my district. In compliance therewith I have the honor to state that, on the whole, the Natives of my district have never been in a more peaceful, orderly, and satisfactory condition than during the last twelve months. The settlement of the Aorangi land disputes at the last sitting of the Native Land Court at Palmerston, the termination of other land difficulties and causes of trouble at Otaki, the opening up of the railway lines, and of roads throughout the district, have all tended much to cause the present gratifying state of things. Now that we have roads and railways the Natives are encouraged to cultivate largely, as they can find a ready and good market for their produce; they are therefore more fully occupied, are more comfortably off, and are brought more into business and friendly connection with the better class of Europeans: all these influences have an improving effect upon them. I am firmly convinced that there is no more effectual way of getting rid of the Native difficulty than by opening up the country by means of roads, bridges, and railways. . It appears to me that the Native mind has not for years been more open to receive religious instruction than now. It is gratifying to see that the principal religious denominations throughout the colony are becoming awake to this state of things, and are seeking to make provision for it by the appointment of Native and European pastors. I am pleased also to be able to report that, so far as my Court records show, there has been much less crime among the Natives than in previous years. This is, I think, owing to their improved moral state, and also from the fact that the Native Assessors —who are scattered oroadcast over the district—have at last recognized the importance and responsibilities of their office, and have evinced the strongest determination to suppress and prevent crime at their several " kaingas." I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Robert Ward, Wellington. Resident Magistrate.

No. 17. The ltev. J. W. Stack to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Report on the Canterbury Maoris for the Year ending June '60th, 1878. The census shows a slight decrease in the adult population since it was last taken, and a slight increase in the number of the children. The total population, according to the last census, was 558 ; the present total is 546. In order to prevent delay in forwarding the returns, it would be well if the law were amended, so as to make it compulsory on the Maoris to give whatever information is required by the enumerator.

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The great event of the year was the meeting lately held ;it Kaiapoi, at which representatives from every settlement in the Island were present. The subject of discussion was " the best means of securing the fulfilment of the promises made by the Land Purchase Commissioners." A most enthusiastic reception was given to the Hon. Mr. Sheehan and the Hon. Hoani Nahe, who attended the meeting at the request of Mr. Taiaroa. The proposed appointment of a mixed Commission of Maoris and Europeans, to inquire into the claims and report to Parliament, met with the approval of the meeting. But the difficulty they seem to experience in fixing their choice of Commissioners is likely to postpone this arrangement indefinitely. The order and sobriety that prevailed during the five weeks the hut lasted was very creditable to Ngaitahu. The Natives who invaded the Hon. R. Campbell's run are still occupying the land. Ther« can be no doubt that they ought to have had more land assigned to them originally—the amount reserved for them per head is ridiculously small when compared with the average holdings of the colonists ; but it is a question whether they ought to be allowed to take the law into their own hands to right themselves. The effect upon the more law-abiding portion of the population is to produce dissatisfaction. These people do not hesitate to say, " See what we have lost by listening to the advice of those who told us to obey the law; had we despised and broken it, we should have done better for ourselves and our children." In my last report I drew attention to the unsatisfactory state of the marriage law as it relates to Maoris. A circumstance lately occurred at Aowhenua which proves the necessity of something being done to remedy the existing defect in the law. A certain Maori, of the name of Taorangi, desired to have two wives. His first wife was an elderly woman, with whom he had lived for upwards of twenty years, but, becoming enamoured of a young widow, be avowed his intention of having her for a second wife. To this all the Maoris objected, regarding it as a scandalous proceeding. A meeting was called, and Taorangi was required to pay a fine and ordered to leave the place ; but, instead of doing so, he went to the Registrar at Temuka, and married the widow. He was married after Maori custom to the first wife. He had recognized her for upwards of twenty years as his wife, and yet he was at liberty to contract a legal marriage with another woman. The Kaiapoi Natives have not yet been put into possession of the reserves made in 1876. Both the Premier and the Hon. Mr. Sheehan promised, when visiting Kaiapoi, that a sitting of the Native Land Court should shortly be held to settle the succession to the numerous intestate estates, and also the question of title to these reserves. The practice now becoming so general amongst the Natives here of letting their reserves is very prejudicial to their welfare. But, unless the office of Prosecutor is revived, there is no way of preventing the lands being leased, in spite of the Governor's approval being withheld. Persons will always be found ready to run the risk of leasing, and it is therefore advisable that the occupation of Maori land, without legal sanction, should constitute a punishable offence. Properties are now often underlet, in spite of every one authorized to guard the interests of the Natives. Increasing interest is shown in the education of the children. At Rapaki, near Lyttelton, a new schoolroom and master's house are in course of erection, and where schools already exist the Natives seem to take a pride in the attainments of the children. There has been little or no sickness amongst the Natives in this district during the past year, and they appear to be in better circumstances than they have been for years past. Drunkenness is a rare vice, only a few notorious characters being known to drink: in other respects, too, I am glad to observe an improvement in the moral tone of the people. James W. Stack. By Authority: Geobqe Didbbuby, GoVernment Printer, Wellington. —1878. Price Is.]