REPORTS FROM OFFICERS IN NATIVE DISTRICTS. [In continuation of G.—8, 1881.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1882 Session I, G-01

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1882. NEW ZEALAND.

REPORTS FROM OFFICERS IN NATIVE DISTRICTS. [In continuation of G.—8, 1881.]

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

No. 1. The Under-Secretary, Native Department, to Officers in Native Districts. (Circular No. 4.) Sir,— Native Office, Wellington, 12th April, 1882. I have the honor by direction of the Native Minister to request that you will be good enough to forward at your earliest convenience, but not later than the 31st proximo, the usual annual report upon the state of the natives in your district for presentation to Parliament. I have, &c, T. W. Lewis, Under-Secretary.

No. 2. George Kelly, Esq., Mangonui, to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Eesident Magistrate's Office, Mangonui, 19th May, 1882. I have the honor to submit the following report upon native affairs in this district. During the past year nothing worthy of note has transpired to disturb the usual serenity of the district. The natives are still as loyal and submissive to the law as ever, with this exception perhaps, that they have lately very freely expressed their general dissatisfaction at the prohibition of sale of spirits to natives under the new Licensing Act, which they view as a restriction upon their liberty, pointing to the fact that natives and Europeans are not under one law, as they so often hear repeated from the Judicial Bench. The sobriety of the natives in this district could hardly be surpassed. It is a thing of rare occurrence to see a native the worse of liquor. Although they avail themselves to a great extent of the accommodation hotels afford, yet they have learned to use these advantages without abusing them. The crops in the district have on the whole been good. When not engaged on their cultivations the natives find pretty constant employment gum-digging, road-making, and at the timber trade. The Omahuta gum field (a new gum field thrown open last summer), on the borders of the Holdanga County, has attracted large numbers of natives from all parts of the district; and although a plentiful supply of gum has been their reward, it has not been beneficial to this district, nor to the natives them 7 selves, as they have neglected their cultivations, and the difficulties they find in getting the gum to a seaport are so great that they rob the industry of its lucrative advantages. The morals of the people have much improved. This is, I think, owing to our native school system, not perhaps so much due to the effect of education upon the young, as that produced by the example and influence of an excellent class of teachers. The general health of the district has been good. I think I may safely say above the average. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Geo. Kelly.

No. 3. S. yon Stunner, Esq., E.M., Holdanga, to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Eesident Magistrate's Office, Holdanga, 28th April, 1882. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular letter, No. 4, 12th April, 1882, requesting me to forward my usual annual report upon the state of the natives in this district, for presentation to Parliament, and now heg to forward the report herewith. I have, &c, Spencer yon Sturmeb, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, "Wellington. Eesident Magistrate. G. I.—l.

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Report. Since the date of my last annual report, there is but little change in the state of the natives residing in this district. The native population have been well behaved, law-abiding, and loyal; and drunkenness is not so prevalent as formerly. The health of the people has, on the whole, been good. One chief of rank has died, viz., Eawiri te Tahua, of Whirinaki. He was a man of great influence, which he invariably exerted in the cause of law and order. He was about 72 years of age at the time of his death. The eight native schools in operation in this district are largely attended, and well appreciated by the natives. There is, however, one sore spot in this district, viz., in the neighborhood of Otaua, where owing to inter-tribal' quarrels about land, and other causes, a great deal of ill-feeling has been engendered, and a quarrel may at any time break out, which may seriously affect the peace of the whole district. Up to the present, with the able assistance of Hone Mohi Tawhai, M.H.E., I have been enabled to keep these people from coming to actual fighting; but I have no confidence in settling their quarrel permanently, unless the title to the disputed land is ascertained by some competent Court of Inquiry ; and as Komene Poakatahi, the leader of one of the contending hapus, most persistently objects to a survey being made, this desirable object seems difficult of attainment. Until this matter is satisfactorily settled, it will continue to be a source of great anxiety to me. Spenceb yon Stunner, Eesident Magistrate.

No. 4. J. S. Clendon, Esq., E.M., to the Undeh-Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Eesident Magistrate's Office, Whangarei, 15th May, 1882. In accordance with the request contained in your letter of the 12th April last, I have thehonor to report, for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister, that the orderly and peaceable state of the natives throughout the large district under my charge leaves me little room for comment beyond a few remarks. Pew instances of crime have occurred amongst them during the past year, and drunkenness has materially decreased. The schools are fairly attended, an evident desire for their children's education having become more visible at many of the settlements in the district. There are no unsettled disputes amongst them of any consequence (save that at Otamatea between Mr. Fitzgerald and Hemana Whiti, the circumstances of which the Government have been already fully informed), and they appear to be more amicably disposed in all ways towards Europeans and amongst themselves than during the preceding year. They are chiefly engaged in gum digging, squaring timber, and in attending to their cultivations. The comparatively small sales of land, they have been enabled to effect during the past year has doubtless, in a great measure, forced them to become more industrious than when they were partly dependent upon the disposal of their property to obtain means of subsistence. Their general health has also been good. Beyond a few cases of fever they have not suffered from any disease. I feel much pleasure in being in a position to report so favorably upon the state of the native population within the large district under my charge. I have, &c, James S. Clendon, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Eesident Magistrate.

No. 5. T. Jackson, Esq., E.M., to the Under-Seobetary, Native Department. Sik, — Eazorbaok, 16th May, 1882. I have the honor, in compliance with instructions contained in Circular No. 4, of the 12th April, 1882, to furnish for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister my annual report upon native affairs in my district. The natives during the past twelve months have conducted themselves in a quiet, orderly manner, and no native during that period has been charged before me with drunkenness, which is a great contrast to the number who were convicted of that offence during former years. There have been about thirty civil cases during the year, in ■which one or both parties have been natives. There are no native schools in the district, and only three native children attend public schools. The native crops have been sufficient for their own wants ; they have had no surplus for sale. Those living on the Waikato river employ themselves cutting flax, which they sell at the flax mills. Natives have been vaccinated at the expense of the New Zealand Government; most of them object to undergo the operation, and not more than one hundred and fifty have been successfully vaccinated in my district. Since my last annual report nothing of interest has taken place relating to natives. Hori Kingi te Whetuki died on the 23rd of March last, at his settlement, Maraetai, near Wairoa South. He was an assessor in receipt of a salary of forty pounds a year. I am, &c, Thomas Jackson, E.M., The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Papakura and Waiuku Districts. Wellington.

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No. 6. G. T. Wilkinson, Esq., to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sir,— Native Office, Thames, 17th May, 1882. In accordance with the request contained in your circular No. 4, of the 12th ultimo, I have the honor to forward herewith my annual report upon the state of the natives in the Hauraki or Thames District. Condition of the Natives. The condition of the natives in my district, in so far as concerns their industrial pursuits, education, and social condition, is much the same as when reported on by me last year. The improvement that I spoke of as being then noticeable in connection with agriculture still exists, and is, on account of the reason then given, namely, growing necessity, likely to continue. Their time is, however, for a great part occupied in digging for kauri gum, which takes them away from their homes for a considerable period during the year. This industry still continues a profitable one in this district, and a large number of both Europeans and Maoris as in previous years prefer it to any other kind of employment. With regard to the education of their children, the natives here seem to place little value upon it, preferring to allow them to remain idle at home, or to accompany their parents when they go on gum digging expeditions in the bush. I believe there are not more than two native children attending the district school, and those not very regularly. I do not think any alteration for the better is likely to take place in this matter until measures are taken by which the parents are held accountable for the regular attendance of their children at school for at least a portion of the year. The social condition of the natives here is on the whole good; drunkenness is not at all prevalent amongst them and crime is rare, there having been at the three Eesident Magistrates' Courts in this district, namely, Thames, Coromandel, and Ohinemuri, during the past year only four convictions for drunkenness, two for petty larceny, one for assault, and one for breach of the peace. This, I think, considering the large area of the district, namely, from Cape Colville to Te Aroha, speaks well for the character and behaviour of the natives. General Remarks. Notwithstanding that as a rule the Hauraki natives are not more lazy than those of other districts, and their social condition, in so far as regards drunkenness and crime, is on a par with or even better than that of others, still they are by no means the unoffending or easy-to-deal-with sort of people that a stranger would be led to suppose. The number of tribes in the district, their different politics, their numerous religious faiths, and last, but not least, their petty jealousies, make them by no means an easy people to manage ; so that, taking the district as a whole, it is, if I may use the simile, like a ship which, although not having one large leak that endangers her safety, still has such a number of small ones occasionally bursting out that continued attention is required to keep them stopped. I must, however, say this for these natives, that troublesome as they are through the causes above mentioned there has been no instance during the last two years in which these difficulties, great and small, have not been got over by prompt attention, and the representation of their causes of trouble and complaint to head-quarters. Since writing my last report, the Komata Eoad (which I therein referred to as about to be commenced,) has been completed, and communication has now been established from Thames to Paeroa, Ohinemuri, and thence on to Te Aroha. A coach is now running daily to the first-mentioned township. The telegraph line that previously, on account of native opposition, had to branch off at Hikutaia, and be carried from there by an almost impassable route to Katikati, has now been extended to Paeroa, where there is an office, and it is at the present time being continued on to Te Aroha, thereby meeting a much felt want of the Europeans, and numbers also of natives, in those localities. Tukukino, the old native chief, who so long successfully opposed these signs of progress, has gracefully retired from his obstructive position, and allowed these works to be carried on without opposition. This action of the old man's is, I think, very creditable to him, especially when it is considered that no fee or reward was given to get him to withdraw his opposition, he merely doing so from what may be called " the force of circumstances." That his relinquishment of his former position is genuine, may, I think, be concluded from the fact that during the Hod. the Native Minister's visit to Ohinemuri, in March last, he (Tukukino) asked for a spring cart to enable himself and people to utilize the newly-made road by taking their produce over it to Paeroa Township for sale, which request was granted him. I may remark here that, on the road being completed, or rather before it was really completed, the natives in the district were amongst the first to make use of it, and evidently were quite aware that it was intended pro bono publico, and not for one race only. The same remarks, only in a lesser degree, apply to the telegraph now working at Paeroa. A considerable number of Hauraki natives attended the King meeting that was held at Hikurangi during the month of April, 1881 ; but, with the exception of Ngatihako, and some of the Ngatipaoa and Ngatitamatera Tribes, they attended it more out of curiosity and amusement than anything else. During the meeting, a curious instance of the force of example occurred, which may not be uninteresting. As is usual at those meetings, everything that was said and done, both by visitors as well as Tawhiao's own people, was to his acknowledgment and glorification as Maori King, and some of the tribes handed over their lands into his keeping, which meant that roads, railways, and surveys, also sales and leases, were not to be allowed in connection with them. This action rather put the Hauraki delegates into the proverbial " corner," as nearly all their lands are already sold. However, not to be outdone in generosity, they, or some of them, handed over Te Aroha, Moehau, and Waikawau Blocks, within the Hauraki District, to Tawhiao, and thereby relieved their consciences of the fear of being behind-hand with their brother visitors in generosity and admiration for their so-called King. When I state that these three blocks had already been sold and conveyed to the Crown, the grimness of the joke will, I think, be apparent; and it is to be hoped, for the sake of the givers, that Tawhiao was ignorant at the time as to who was the real owner of these lands.

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During the past year a native named Hatara Ngatai, belonging to a section of the Ngatipaoa tribe called Urikaraka, has died. Although a young man of considerable rank, I should not have mentioned this occurrence, only that he was known as Tawhiao's "Pou," or representative in this district. This mantle has, I understand, descended upon a young native named Tiwai, who, in so far as dogged obstruction to Pakeha progression is concerned, is a very fitting successor, albeit, in other matters, he is a law-abiding and quiet native, and is too sensible himself to run any personal risks, although he does not hesitate to vindicate by argument those who do. The troublesome Ngatihako tribe, to whom I referred at some length in my last report, are at present on their good behaviour, although they have not by any means been idle during the past year. In July last they shot a bullock belonging to a settler living near Ohinemuri, the only reason given for the act being that it was running on their land, and they made the matter worse by threatening in a letter, signed by Pakara te Paoro, to shoot all European cattle and horses that they might find trespassing on land owned by them. They, however, did not carry out this threat, and I have reasons for knowing that they were, and are now, fearful of being punished for what they had done. Since then they have not done anything for which they could be blamed, and I think from appearances at the present time that these people are beginning to see the error of their ways, or at least are fearful that they may go too far. My reasons for thinking so are because of their allowing the snags which are now being taken out of the Waihou Eiver (on the banks of which they reside) to be removed, without any opposition from them—a work which they opposed four years ago when attempted by the County Council, on which occasion the workmen were turned off. In October last trouble was occasioned at a place called Waitete, within the Ohinemuri Gold Field, by some members of the Ngatikoi tribe (who have mostly sold their interests there to the Crown) obstructing the Europeans from cutting Kauri timber, notwithstanding that they had obtained the necessary authority from the Warden to do so. The cause of this action by the natives was the question of reserves for them within the Ohinemuri Block not being yet settled, and they claimed the block where the Europeans were cutting the timber as theirs, by a promise from Mr. James Mackay some years ago. I went to see them about the matter, and explained the position to them, showing them that they were in the wrong, but they would not give in, so having the Sergeant of Police with me armed with the necessary summonses, they were served in the usual way, and the natives afterwards attended Court. The case was heard before the Resident Magistrate, and proved against them, but considering that they had some cause of complaint in not having their reserves fixed, and that they had taken this action more for the sake of getting the Government to fix them, than with the deliberate intention of breaking the law and committing a breach of the peace, the Magistrate only inflicted a nominal penalty, expressing his opinion from the Bench that it would be advisable, in order to prevent further disputes, that the reserves be defined as soon as possible. This I hope will soon be done, as a Native Land Court is to be opened at Paeroa on Ist proximo, in which the Crown's title to the Ohinemuri Gold Field will most likely be decided, and all native reserves fixed. During the past year a difficulty occurred at Coromandel by which the natives obstructed the formation of the main county road at places known as Te Tiki and Manaia. Acting under instructions from the Hon. Native Minister, I went there to enquire into the cause of trouble, and found that it was brought about mostly through a misunderstanding, which was set right by the Chairman of the County Council (Mr. Cadman) accompanying me with the natives on to the ground, and there discussing the matter. In November last a native named Horomona Mahoetahi (belonging to Ngatimaru tribe, but married to a Ngatihako woman, and living at Piako,) obstructed the survey of a block of land called Te Manuka, abutting on the Thames Eiver, and extending towards Piako. His only reason for his action was that he, being a disciple or expounder of Tawhiao's doctrines in the Piako District, could not allow the survey to take place, as it had gone beyond the Ngatimaru (or Thames natives) boundary. As this was a case in which the police could act in the ordinary way, a summons was issued and served on the native. He obeyed the summons, and appeared at the Eesident Magistrate's Court at Thames, but as there was no attempt to dispose of or appropriate the goods to his own use, proved against him, he was merely bound over in his own recognisances to keep the peace for six months. At first he refused to sign the necessary bond papers, and it was only after he had been kept in gaol for two days that he elected to sacrifice his principles, and accept the position, or rather change it for a better one, namely, that of freedom. Having signed the necessary documents he was allowed to go at liberty. lam not at all sure, however, that some more stringent measures will not yet be required of him, as he has lately written me a letter objecting to the proposed survey of the Piako Block, and threatens to obstruct it. He may, however, mean only passive obstruction. That letter, with translation, was sent on to Wellington in the usual way. During the time that it was feared the smallpox epidemic might visit New Zealand, I, acting under instructions received from Wellington, used every endeavour to get the natives in this district vaccinated, but lam sorry to say only with indifferent success. At first, when the dread of contracting the disease was upon them, they entered heartily into the idea, and a considerable number of them, including children, were vaccinated, but as the dreaded epidemic did not make its appearance amongst us, those natives, who had not up to that time been vaccinated, did not trouble themselves any more about the matter, notwithstanding that they were both written and spoken to on the subject. Another reason which I think had a great deal to do with their apathy, or I may say dislike to the operation, was the unfavorable circumstance of some of their children suffering considerably from the after effects of the operation ; this was, however, I think, brought about more through the unhealthy state of the children than any fault in the lymph used, or want of care or attention by the medical officer. This result is much to be deplored, as I question if their interest or fears regarding the matter can again be aroused, unless the disease really appears amongst either themselves, or theirPakeka neighbours. I have, &c, Geobge T. Wilkinson, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Native Agent.

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No. 7. H. W. Brabant, Esq., 8.M., Tauranga, to the Hon. the Native Ministee. Sib,— Native Office, Tauranga, 30th May, 1882. I have the honor to submit the following remarks as my annual report on native affairs in the districts under my charge. Tauranga District. There is no change to report in the physical condition of the natives during the past year, no chief of any note has died, and the deaths have been below the average. The medical officer has attended on the natives as usual, and his reports of cases have been duly sent to your office. He has made an effort to vaccinate the natives, but it has been difficult to get them together for the purpose. They will as a rule submit to the operation if the vaccinator goes to their settlement, but will not take the trouble to assemble in one place for the purpose. The medical officer complains that the Government travelling allowance is insufficient to cover the cost of visiting them. For this reason the vaccination has not been general. I regret to report that the natives in this district do not cultivate so much as formerly. This I attribute to the ease with which they can now obtain advances from speculators on their lands. Although the Tauranga lands are all inalienable, except by leave of the Governor, a native who can show any evidence of title can, it appears, always obtain advances, the purchaser trusting to time or a turn in the political wheel to enable him to perfect his title. There is no doubt the natives have more land in this district than they will ever utilise, and it is to be regretted that they are unable to part with it without themselves deteriorating in their habits and behaviour. As Commissioner of Tauranga lands, I have sat 183 days, and dealt in various ways with over 66,000 acres of land, but as I have made a special report to you on this subject it is unnecessary for me to enlarge upon it here. I consider it proper to proceed with the investigation of the titles, and to complete them with as little delay as possible, as it appears the sittings of the Court have, while they last, the effect of withdrawing the natives from industrial pursuits, and of causing drunkenness which has been very prevalent amongst them while assembled in the town, the Court having more than once to adjourn from this cause. The provision of the new Licensing Act against supplying liquor to natives is inoperative in Tauranga, owing to its having been formed into a borough. During the past year the natives have done some work by contract for the County Council on theTauranga and Maketu road, and the Tauranga and Waikato road. A few of them have also been employed from time to time on the Botorua road. In the Police Court at Tauranga one native was committed for trial and eight were summarily convicted, one of which convictions was for larceny, the rest for assault and minor offences. In the Eesident Magistrate's Court nineteen cases were heard in which Europeans sued natives,. four in which natives sued Europeans, and one only in which both plaintiff and defendant were natives. In this district they continue to settle their disputes amongst themselves, generally by the arbitration of native assessors, the fees deterring them from coming to Court. A native school has been established at Maungatapu, which has an average attendance of thirtythree. It is at present held in a church, but a site has been given by the natives and tenders called for the building. Maketu and Rotorua District. I have visited Eotorua frequently during the year, and Maketu two or three times. The mortality amongst the Arawa has been below the average, no chief of note having died, and until lately, when measles have been prevalent, there has been but little sickness. The natives at Ohinemutu have now the advantage of medical advice from Dr. Lewis, the officer under " The Thermal Springs Act." He will also carry on the vaccination in this district which had been commenced by Dr. Armitage. A supply of simple medicines has been kept at all the isolated native schools, which arrangement is a great boon to the natives. As in the Tauranga District, I fear the natives cultivate less than formerly, owing to the large sums of money which they obtain by the sale of land, and from rents, and the expenditure of tourists. The large rental for which the Town of Eotorua, under " The Thermal Springs Act," was lately leased, leads the natives to hope that they will before long be able to live without work, their rents supporting them. During the last two years a complete change has come over the feelings of the Arawa in relation to their lands; formerly they would allow no Land Court to sit within their district, and were continually occupying themselves with schemes for settling the titles themselves. Now, however, they wish to put all their lands through, and it appears likely that the sitting of the Court, which is now proceeding at Ohinemutu, may be continued for many months. In the Ohinemutu Police Court there have been thirteen convictions of natives, one for larceny, and the rest for drunkenness, and minor offences. In the Civil Court twenty cases were heard between natives, and six in which one party was a European and one a native. At Maketu there were three convictions of natives for minor offences, and five civil cases were heard between natives, and seven in which one party was a European and one a native. Although the police are endeavouring to enforce the provisions of the new Licensing Act, drunkenness is, I fear, on the increase in this district. There are now seven native schools, in operation in this district, having a gross attendance of 865, and an average of 220. A site has recently been given at Te Awahou, Eotorua, where it is proposed to erect a new school, instead of the present dilapidated one.

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Opotiki District. Owing to the duties of Tauranga Land Commissioner having kept me fully occupied, I have only "been able to visit this district once during the past year; although there are various questions affecting reserves which require attention. I advanced the settlement of the Whakatohea Reserves a stage, and shall shortly have the titles to them finally settled. The natives in this district continue industrious and law-abiding. The fever for land sales has however set in, and must, I fear, have the same effect as in other districts. There are now six schools for natives in operation in this district, having a gross attendance of 223, and an average of 166. In conclusion, may I be permitted to make a few remarks on what is at present much discussed by the natives —the operation of the Licensing Act of last session. Before that Act was passed, the sale of intoxicants to natives was prohibited in towns, but allowed in native districts. Now, exactly the reverse obtains; and it is not astonishing that the sudden change has greatly puzzled the native mind. Without entering into the debated question whether it is possible to prevent natives obtaining liquors, now they have acquired by habit a taste for them, I may say that I think a majority of the natives are in favor of the restriction on the sale; but they are unable to understand why it should be confined to native districts, and, if I may presume to do so, I would express my opinion that, if any distinction were made, there is more reason for the sale being prohibited in towns, because there natives drinking cause annoyance to the European population, as well as doing injury to themselves. I have, &c, Herbert W. Brabant, R.M., The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Native Officer, Bay of Plenty.

No. 8. Captain Pkeece, E.M., Napier, to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Napier, 26th June, 1882. In compliance with the instructions contained in your circular of the 12th of April, No. 4, I have the honor to forward for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister, this, my annual report on the state of the natives in the districts under my charge :— Napier District. There is very little to report on in this district: the natives have been very quiet during the past year. A few tribal disturbances, in connection with land disputes, have occurred; but they have always been settled amongst themselves, or allowed to stand over for settlement by the Native Lands Court. The death of the Wairarapa prophet, Paora Potangaroa, has been the means of almost putting an end to the fanaticism amongst the natives in the southern end of the district, mentioned in my last report. Industrial Pursuits. —A great number of natives (men and women), have been engaged during the season, shearing and sorting wool; indeed many of the runholders employ them in preference to" Europeans. A great quantity of wheat has been grown at the several settlements on the Heretaunga Flat; also at Waiohiki, and Omahu. Native Schools.' —The Pakowhai School has been re-opened, but the attendance has been small. The natives appear to take little interest in the education of their children. Wairoa. The natives in this district maintain their character for good behaviour. They have cultivated large quantities of maize at Wairoa and Nuhaka. At Te Mahia they have just had a very successful whaling season, some of them realizing large sums for oil. The Opoho land dispute has been settled by a large portion of the block being passed through the Native Lands Court. Judgment has been given practically in favor of the Whakaki natives ; but a rehearing has been granted, and the final decision will be given next month. A section of Upper "Wairoa natives still keep up communication with Te Kooti. Some of these people lately obstructed the survey of the Wairoa and Gisborne Road. Informations were laid by Mr. Baker, chief surveyor, against the ringleaders, who were fined. The following cases, in which Maoris were defendants, were heard in the Eesident Magistrate's Court: —Assault, 1 ; cattle-stealing, committed for trial, 1 ; larceny, dismissed, 1; breach of Dog Registration Act, convicted, s—dismissed,5 —dismissed, 1 ; perjury, dismissed, 1. Civil Cases: Europeans against Natives, 24 ; Natives against Europeans, 8 ; Maoris only, 17. Considering the large native population in the district, the number of cases is very small. The number of deaths has been above the average, particularly about Te Whakaki. There has, however, been no epidemic amongst them. Vaccination has not been carried out, owing to the doctor being unable to get a supply of good lymph. Poverty Bay and Waiapu Districts. At Poverty Bay the Native Lands Court has been sitting almost continuously since January last, and a great number of original claims and subdivisions have been settled. The latter have been made by consent of all parties concerned, including lessees. At Waiapu a long-standing quarrel between two tribes had assumed a serious aspect. Wiremu Keiha and his tribe were afraid to remain at their homes, as the opposing tribe, under Hirini Kahe, were going about the valley armed, and had individually threatened the lives of Wiremu Keiha and two of his men. On my arrival at Waiapu in the month of October, informations were laid against the parties for sureties of the peace. They failed to appear in answer to the summonses, and warrants were issued for their apprehension. These, however, were not to be executed until the next sitting of

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the Court. In the meanwhile, through the exertions of Major Eopata, Hotene Porourangi, and Mokena Kohere, the defendants expressed their intention to attend the Court. They did so, and two of them were bound over to keep the peace for twelve months, and had considerable difficulty in finding sureties. The other case was dismissed. The two tribes then returned to their respective settlements, and have since been living peaceably together. This quarrel has been in existence for the last nine years, when a man belonging to Hirini's tribe was shot, the fact of the culprit being allowed to escape trial has been the means of the two tribes living in a lawless state ever since. Public Works. —The Survey Department have lately been laying off the inland road from Gisborne to Waiapu. A section of the Aowera tribe opposed the survey at Makarika. On the matter being reported to me I held a meeting of the natives at Taumata-o-Mihi, and explained to them that the road was necessary, and must be taken through. The survey is now nearly completed. At Kawakawa and Hick's Bay the natives are very anxious to have the country opened up by roads connecting the settlements with Gisborne and the Bay of Plenty. Industrial Pursuits. —Since the large expenditure of public money on land purchases has almost ceased, the natives have turned their attention to cultivation. About 13,600 bushels of maize, 4,000 bushels of wheat, and 2,500 bushels of grass seed, have been grown in the districts during the past year. The number of cases in which Maoris were concerned and heard in the two Courts under my charge, viz., Waiapu and Tologa Bay, were as follows :—Committed for trial, 2; summary convictions, 40; cases dismissed, 24; civil cases, in which Maoris were defendants, 102; in which Europeans were defendants, 8 ; between Maoris only, 19. There was one serious quarrel which resulted in a case of manslaughter. The culprit was at once arrested by Sergeant McGuire, and on my arrival a few days after, an inquest was held, and the accused committed for trial. He has since been sentenced to seven years' penal servitude. Sergeant McGuire deserves credit for his tact in this case for the manner in which he persuaded the natives to keep the body of the deceased until an inquest was held, Maoris being, as a rule, adverse to giving up their dead for the purposes of post mortem examinations. The above named cases do not include the Gisborne Court, of which I have no record. Native Schools. —There is one school in the Poverty Bay District at Tologa Bay. It is not well attended, owing to jealousy among the natives. In the Waiapu District there are three, viz., Tokomaru, Akuaku, and Waiomatatini. These are well attended, and great interest taken in them by the natives. Three applications for new schools in the vicinity of Waiapu are now under consideration of the Education Department. Vaccination. —A great number of natives have been vaccinated by Mr. Scott in the northern portion of the Poverty Bay and Waiapu Districts. In the Napier District Dr. Caro has successfully vaccinated a number, but he has experienced difficulty in getting the natives to assemble for the purpose. General Remarks. I would again urge the necessity that exists for legislation in respect to the subdivision of native lands. The Native Land Court should have full power to subdivide native lands, whether under lease or in the hands of the natives, and authority should be given to surveyors to enter upon such lands for the purpose of carrying out the subdivisions ordered by the Court. I am of opinion that a new system should be inaugurated in respect to the alienation of native lands. Under the present mode of direct purchase the natives nominally get more for their land than they would if the Government had the absolute pre-emptive right; but on the other hand they have indirectly to pay high fees to surveyors, solicitors, and interpreters, so that by the time the land has passed the Court the expenses in many cases amount to the value of the lands. I would suggest that the Government alone should undertake the survey and sale of nativelands, acting as agents for the natives, and that the land should be sold or leased in the same manner as Crown lands. But in order that this plan should succeed, and that settlement be promoted, the lowest possible commission should be charged by the Government to the natives, say 5 per cent, on the price realized by the land to cover survey, commission, and all charges. Even if the Government lost by the transaction, the country would gain by the speedy settlement of lands now unoccupied by natives. The natives would also know that they were getting the highest marketable value of their lands, and that the proceeds were not being swallowed up by expenses. I think this system would be better for both Europeans and natives, as the former would be certain of obtaining valid titles, and would not be put to the trouble and expense of negotiating with natives and obtaining doubtful titles. The Europeans who purchase land held under " memorial of ownership" direct from the natives, have innumerable difficulties to surmount, and cannot obtain a good title in one case out of fifty. If some mode of alienation as suggested were adopted, I feel sure the natives would part with their lands more readily than they do at present, although they would at first hold back owing to their suspicious. nature. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, George A. Pbeece, K.M. Wellington. No. 9. Major Scannell, R.M., to the Undbr-Seoretary, Native Department. Sir, — Eesident Magistrate's Office, Taupo, 28th April, 1882. In compliance with instructions contained in your circular, No. 4, of the 12th instant, I have the honor to make the following report on the state of the natives in the Taupo District: — During the months of April, May, and June of last year, a Native Land Court was held at Tapuaeharuru, which was largly attended by the natives of the district, and by many from outside

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tribes, including a number of Hauhaus. The greater portion of the time of the Court being taken up in the settlement of the title to the long-disputed Rangipo block, a small number of other blocks, however, passing through. While the Court was sitting, considering the number of natives of different tribes collected, the proceedings were marked by the absence of all disturbance or obstruction, and the behaviour of the natives outside the Court was orderly in the extreme. While on this subject I may state that, in my opinion, were the natives residing round the Lake, —and especially the Hauhau portion of them, living at the southern end,—more fully aware of the benefits likely to accrue from bringing their lands before the Native Land Court, they would show considerably less reluctance to so doing, and obtaining Crown titles; and their state of dependence on the King party and isolation from Europeans would gradually die away. Mr. Lawrence Cussen, District Surveyor, being directed to connect the Auckland and Wellington triangulations, commenced work in the spring, and, with the exception of some trifling disputes between rival hapus, experienced no obstruction until he arrived at the Hauhau boundary,—the Tauranga River, on the Taupo Lake. Several large native meetings have been held in the district, notably, at Te Hatepe, in October last," attended principally by friendly natives, at which it was unanimously agreed to allow Mr. Cussen to proceed with his survey as far as the Hauhau boundary, on the above-mentioned Tauranga River, and at Waipapa, in December, afterwards adjourned from thence to Waihi, and again to the Tauranga River, at which all the principal natives of the district, both friendly aud Hauhau, attended, the object of the meeting being to determine the boimdaries between the King country and that under the control of the Government. It was then decided that, as far as the Taupo District was concerned, the boundary line should run from Waipapa to the mouth of the Whangamata River, on Lake Taupo, thence across the lake to the mouth of the Tauranga River, and following the course of that river to the Kaimanawa Range. No serious crime has occurred amongst the natives during the year : a few trivial cases, mostly of assault, being the only Maori business brought before the Resident Magistrate's Court. The commonest Maori crime—larceny—being conspicuous by its absence; and drunkenness, especially since the enforcement of the clauses of " The Licensing Act, 1881," relating to Maori Licensing Districts, has almost entirely disappeared. The health of the natives in the district has been generally good, there having been very few deaths during the year ; and no illness has been prevalent until lately, when measles in a mild form made its appearance, but no deaths, as far as I can learn, have occurred from it. In February of this year, Poihipi Tukairangi, for many years a loyal subject, and a staunch friend to the Europeans, died of pulmonary consumption at Tapuaeharuru, and a large number of natives from all parts of the district, and from Rotorua, assembled to do honour to his remains. By permission of the Hon. the Native Minister, I furnished a firing party of the Armed Constabulary at his funeral, which appeared to give great satisfaction to his friends. The district has remained undisturbed during the year. During the advance on Parihaka, the natives refrained from expressing sympathy with either Te Whiti, or with the Government; but since its destruction and the capture of Te Whiti, from the few remarks that have come to my knowledge, I gather that they would have been glad if the result had been different. At present very few Maoris remain in the district, a large number of them having left for the meeting called by Tawhiao at Whatiwhatihoe—the result of which, however, as regards the Taupo District, it is impossible to foresee. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Weliington. D. Scannell, R.M.

No. 10. E. Paeris, Esq., to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — New Plymouth, 15th May, 1882. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th ult., conveying instructions to " furnish a report on the state of native affairs on the "West Coast and Taranaki." It will be necessary for me to go back a long period to explain, as briefly as I can, what has been the condition of the district, and the difficulties which have arisen under the growth of the influence of Te Whiti. For fifteen years past this district has been the centre of attraction to the native race in consequence of natives of a prophetic turn of mind having been more plentiful therein than in any other part of the country. This tendency culminated in Te Whiti, who succeeded Te Ua as a prophetical leader of the people, and dictator in all matters affecting them. The old custom of chiefs having authority over the respective Hapus and tribal interests was completely abolished, as was forcibly exemplified to the Hon. the late Premier, Mr. Hall, on the occasion of his passing through the district with me last year, when we met on the road an old chief, with whom we had a conversation about the state of things in general, in the course of which the old man said: "Formerly chiefs had a potent voice in everything, but now they are nonentities; all authority is now vested in Te Whiti, you must talk to him." For many years large numbers of natives from distant parts were in the habit of attending half-yearly meetings at Parihaka to listen to Te Whiti's expositions and counsel. After the meeting terminated they returned to their own homes. Very large supplies of food were consumed and wasted, and to maintain such a state of things was a heavy tax upon the Parihaka residents ; but Te Whiti was equal to the occasion, and met the difficulty with a proposal that all who intended to put themselves under his protection should cultivate land at Parihaka, to raise food for themselves when visiting there. This proposal was cheerfully

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responded to. A large quantity of land was cleared and planted accordingly, and when the crops were ready for use, instead of periodical visits, a large number from distant parts came to Parihaka to settle, and enlarged the settlement by building houses and cultivating the land, thus swelling the population. Instead of half-yearly meetings in March and September, a monthly meeting became the established rule, which natives from places distant from thirty to fifty miles attended regularly, taking with them such supplies as they could raise from their own places, utterly regardless of the consequences to themselves, although indigence was inevitable by so doing, believing it was their duty to part with all they had for such time as might be necessary for the final consummation of Te Whiti's prophecies, when, as he gave them to understand, everything would be restored to them by some mysterious process. Te Whiti had told them that he was Jehovah, and him they implicitly obeyed, and nearly all their time was devoted to contributing towards the maintenance of Parihaka, which was growing into a little Eepublic. Had Te Whiti been as wise as he was ambitious, he might at this time have made (I have no doubt) very good terms with the Government in the matter of settling the land question in that district. The success achieved in the ejectment of the surveyors from the Waimate Plains inflated Te Whiti's vanity, and the faith of his followers in his attainments, and thus led him on to the further aggressive measure of sending out parties of natives to enter upon and plough land of European settlers at seven different places between Hawera and the White Cliffs. Six of the properties trespassed upon were portions of the confiscated territory which had been granted to Europeans who were in occupation, and one was part of a block of a land ceded to the Crown in the year 1848. This new and singular proceeding on the part of Te Whiti caused great excitement throughout the district, but the forbearance of the settlers enabled the Government to deliberate, and determine what course of action to pursue, and the result was about 180 of the offenders were arrested and sent to gaol. Doubts being entertained by many as to whether Te Whiti had sanctioned the ploughing, I was requested to go to see him and ascertain if he had authorised it. I accordingly paid a visit to Parihaka for this purpose, and on putting the question to Te Whiti, he replied most emphatically that he had authorised the ploughing, and stated, as his motive for doing it, that Sir George Grey, at the meeting with Rewi at Waitara, had said, " He would plant a tree of peace whose branches would spread over the land," instead of which, in a very short time, he commenced stealing the land of the Waimate Plains, and that he, Te Whiti, had ordered the ploughing to probe Sir George Grey's heart to prove whether he was a man of peace or not. Soon after this a Eoyal Commission was appointed to enquire into all questions affecting the confiscated territory on the West Coast, and the alleged discontent in consequence of non-fulfilled promises, and other matters affecting the natives. The very able and exhaustive report of the ■Commission renders it quite unnecessary for me to say anything on the questions which are discussed in that report. In consequence of certain recommendations made by the Commission, Parliament recommended that a new Commission should be issued, fortified with full and complete authority to work out the recommendations embodied in the report of the first Commission. This was done; and soon after the survey of the plains for settlement was determined on, together with the opening and forming a line of road through the district by the Armed Constabulary. Surveyors were put to work under the direction of the Commission to survey the burial places, fishing sites, and a block of land for the use and occujjation of the natives ; and arrangements were made for the preparation and issue of Crown grants as the work progressed. Other surveyors were put on under the direction of the SurveyorGeneral to do the sectional survey of the plains for sale and settlement. The work went on without any obstruction or molestation from the natives, beyond the removal now and then, of course, of the survey-pegs by the sly. The natives were frequently visited by an officer of the Government to explain to them what was being done, and what was intended to be done, but for a long time they manifested an unwillingness to talk about it, or acquiesce in the arrangements ; still the work continued with great success, as is shown by the present condition of the district, and the natives between Waingongoro and Opunake have since submitted with very good grace, and have supplied lists of names of grantees for the Crown grants, which will be issued in due course. At the same time that the survey of the land for settlement was going on, that of opening the trunk line of road through the district was also being pushed forward, commencing toward the south from Waingongoro, and from towards the north from Stony River. In the meantime, Te Whiti, who had counselled non-resistance, and peace and quietness, prophesied that the portions of road which were being opened at both ends, would never meet. What •was to prevent the meeting he never explained, and the only idea his followers had on the subject was, that there would be an interposition of a kind which no one but Te Whiti could understand. As the roadwork advanced to that part of the district in front of Parihaka, it was deemed necessary to take the line through a native cultivation. The telegraph, which was being erected along the line, had been carried through the cultivation without any obstruction, so far as I am aware; but, on taking the fence down at both ends, the road being required for traffic, the first obstruction to the work was instituted, and, with very great persistency carried out. The Constabulary pulled down the fence the width required for the road, and the natives came and put it up again. This was often repeated. It was then decided to arrest the obstructors, and, as they came to fence (in obedience to Te Whiti's orders), they were arrested without much trouble, and sent to gaol. When this commenced, it was altogether uncertain where it would stop, inasmuch as Te Whiti was reported to have said, that when he had exhausted all the men, he should send the women and children to do the fencing, and to be arrested as an incumbrance for the Government. After several encounters at the fencing, altogether about 216 natives were arrested, and sent to gaol. G. 1.—2.

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After this the dispute assumed a new aspect. A party of forty to fifty men, of mixed ages, designated the morehu (survivors) marched out from Parihaka almost daily, each man carrying a branch of wood, and, on arriving at the road where it entered the cultivation on the south side, continued the march along the road through the cultivation, reciting an incantation till within a short distance of the north boundary of the cultivation, very near to the Constabulary camp, and back again to the south boundary, where they planted the branches across the road as a protest, and then marched back to Parihaka. Occasionally another party composed of over a hundred very small children (in charge of an adult) designated the tatarakihi (locusts) were sent out from Parihaka totraverse the road through the cultivation, warbling, like a flock of blight birds, an incantation taught them by Tohu. Diverse opinions prevailed with reference to the merits of the dispute about the road through the cultivation. Some were of opinion that it should have been fenced by the Government, and that probably had this been done Te Whiti's opposition would have subsided ; whilst others thought that as the land belonged to Government by virtue of confiscation the natives had no right to cultivate it. Finding it was useless to expect any concession or compromise from Te Whiti, the Government determined on commencing the survey of the block of land, seaward of the new road, known as the Parihaka Block, for sale and settlement, as recommended by the Eoyal Commission. All their fishing sites and sacred places were reserved for the natives, and a large reserve on the south bank of the Kapoaiaio Eiver, containing altogether 714 acres. On the banks of the Waitotoroa Biver therewere extensive clearings, made by natives who had come from distant parts, but did not belong toeither Parihaka or the Taranaki District. Five hundred and forty-five acres were reserved from sale for a year or two, in order during that time to prepare them for clearing off, these lands having been mapped as waste lands of the Crown. In addition to this it was intended to make a continuous reserve of 25,000 acres from the Waiwherenui Eiver to the Moutoti Eiver, abutting on the new road on the inland side. It has been insinuated that it was never explained to the natives what land was reserved for them ; such an assertion is not only unfair but notoriously false. During the progress of the survey work I was often in the district, and frequently met natives, to whom I explained what land they could occupy and what would be sold, and it was their invariable habit to say, you must go and talk to Te Whiti. Euakere, who by birth is the principal chief of the Warea natives, understood fully all. the proposals and arrangements which I have stated, and frequently explained them to the natives at Parihaka. Twice I went there myself for the express purpose of publishing to all the people at the meeting what the proposals of the Government were, but Te Whiti refused to give me the opportunity by breaking up the meeting. From the commencement of the work of the Eoyal Commission, and. all through, Te Whiti has been fully informed, and was well aware of all the proposals for the settlement of the land question. It was said by some that Te Whiti would only treat with some high authority. His Excellency the Governor made overtures for a meeting with him. The result is well known. The Hon. Mr.. Eolleston waived his dignity, went into Parihaka, and had an interview with him, but failed to obtain any satisfaction from him. In July and August last parties of natives commenced fencing land for cropping on different parts of the block surveyed for sale. The Constabulary were sent to pull down the fencing. I was present myself on several occasions, and explained to them what the consequence would be if they persisted in carrying on. My own services being required by Sir W. Fox, Mr. Hursthouse, engineer in charge of roadwork in the district, was requested to make Pungarehu his head-quarters, and toassist Colonel Eoberts in trying to prevent the natives from taking possession of Government land. It soon, however, became evident that they intended bringing the matter to an issue. They began coming out from Parihaka in great force, far outnumbering the Constabulary available for the work. It was known that they had come to a decision to engage in a hand to hand struggle with the Constabulary. It was recommended that this should be avoided if possible, as the Constabulary being armed a struggle would most probably have led to serious consequences. At the meeting, held in September last at Parihaka, Te Whiti, in his address to the natives assembled, indulged, in language which, literally interpreted, meant a declaration of war. This caused a state of alarm throughout the district, and the settlers appealed to Government for arms and ammunition, and for the militia to be organised for self-defence. When Te Whiti learnt what the effect of his language had been, he tried to explain it away by stating that what he had said was metaphorical, that the interpreters did not understand him. In fact, no one but himself could understand what he meant to convey to his hearers, and the interpreters were of course in duty bound to furnish a literal interpretation of what he said. For many years past Te Whiti has led his followers on by his prophetical discourses from onedevice to another,- shifting his ground from time to time, until he had exhausted his stock of metaphorical imaginations, and at the September meeting he entertained them with something practical, but very dangerous, which brought things to a climax. The result of the meeting was wired to all parts, and the whole colony was astir with a lively apprehension that war was inevitable. Parliament passed a vote to enable the Government to meet the anticipated crisis. Volunteers from all parts of the colony nobly responded when called on totake the field. The voice of the public said, Extinguish Parihaka, the fountain of disaffection. A Gazette extraordinary was issued by the Administrator of the Government, which was delivered to Te Whiti, explaining the unsatisfactory position of affairs, and giving fourteen days for consideration,. and for a definite understanding. During the interval, agents of the Government visited Te Whiti in order to ascertain whether or not he was disposed to make any proposition acceptable to the Government. The only explanation obtained from him was that things must take their course. On the sth November a large force of Constabulary and Volunteers marched into Parihaka and arrested Te Whiti and Tohu without any resistance. This, I believe, was a great relief to Te Whiti,. and one which he had long desired.

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Notice was given to natives belonging to other parts to disperse and return to their own places. There was no indication of their going away voluntarily, and a great deal of trouble was taken in separating them from the other natives and escorting them long distances in the direction of their proper homes to insure their final departure. The great consideration for them now was, how were they going to live at their own places. All their crops for maintenance were at Parihaka. Many of them have suffered great privation, chiefly those north of New Plymouth. On several occasions supplies have been sent them by natives living south of Waingongoro, altogether over fifty tons. They have gathered a large quantity of fungus which they have sold to purchase food; and during the autumn there is indigenous food which they use when on short commons, but their prospects during the winter, and until the next season crops are ready for use, would be very serious if they were not allowed to fall back on their crops at Parihaka for a maintenance. The present state of mind of the natives is one of uncertainty for the future. Their faith in Te Whiti is as strong as ever, and they talk of a re-union being near at hand, but if the course now being pursued toward Te Whiti and Tohu is continued long enough, I do not anticipate much more trouble. Te Whiti's long course of obstruction to the progress of colonization has, no doubt, been most wearisome and disheartening to the white population, who have been naturally eager to see this isolated settlement connected by roads and the telegraph wire with the other settled districts of the colony. To many, therefore, who are irritated by the long delay in the accomplishment of their wishes, which is associated with Te Whiti's name, his career will appear to have been one of mere folly, delusion, and unreasonableness, or of conscious imposture. But those who are capable of taking an impartial view of the whole case, and can admit the full right of the Maori to strive by all fair means to retain his old free mode of life, and enough of his primeval wilderness of fern and forest to enjoy it in, will find in Te Whiti's conduct as the leader of his people in a trying period, much that is worthy of their sympathy and respect. Te Whiti was, in fact, the representative in this part of New Zealand, of the love of the Maori people for their ancient customs and ways of living, and of their dread of being hustled off the scene by swarms of strangers, and by the introduction of new conditions of life, under which they instinctively felt themselves unable to compete on equal terms with the eager and vigorous new-comers in the struggle for existence. Eegarding Te Whiti's position and career from this point of view, all feeling of irritation against the man for his steady opposition to the progress of colonization must disappear; and we can properly estimate the firmness, combined with total absence of any recourse to violent measures, with which he maintained the unequal contest for so many years, and can sympathize with his hopes and understand his prophecies, however quaint their form, that in some mysterious way a higher power would interfere to protect the rights of the weaker race. Notwithstanding his rooted preference for the old Maori ways of life and his dread of their disturbance by the intrusion of European settlers, Te Whiti has shown no feeling of dislike or bitterness towards our race. On the contrary, whether at the summit of his prosperity, and when he might naturally consider himself to be master of the situation; or, when his endurance was tried to the uttermost by the near approach of our forces to Parihaka, every one was freely admitted to his settlement, and treated there with the utmost courtesy. As regards the practical result of Te Whiti's leadership of the Maoris on the West Coast, it is perhaps hardly too much to say that if he had shaped his course with the special intention of enabling the Government to tide over without bloodshed a period during which there was a constant risk of collision between the races—but during which the Government (from want of funds or other causes,) was not in a position to compel submission without involving the country in a ruinous war—he could not have been more successful in accomplishing this difficult task. It would, of course, be absurd to impute to Te Whiti a desire to prepare the way for the final bloodless victory of the forces at Parihaka ; but it should, I think, always be remembered in his favor, that it is mainly in consequence of his strong personal dislike to bloodshed and violence, that this happy result has been obtainable. I have, &c, E. Pabeis.

No. 11. E. Paeris, Esq.. to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — New Plymouth, 23rd May, 1882. In my report of the 15th instant I omitted to refer to two questions which entirely escaped my recollection, and I beg now to furnish the following as a brief supplementary report. In October, 1878, a European named McLean, who had been working on the survey of the Moumahaki Block, in the Waitotara District, was shot, and on the body being discovered and an inquiry instituted, the natives of the Ngarauru tribe gave information that he had been killed by a native of their tribe, named Hiroki, and that it was believed he was off to Parihaka, armed with the gun with which he had committed the crime. Scouts were sent out from the Hawera District to intercept Hiroki's flight. They got upon his track, followed him until they saw him, fired at and wounded him ; still he made his escape and got to Parihaka. As soon as it was reported that Hiroki was at Parihaka, the principal chief of the Ngarauru tribe, Aperahama Tamaiparea, with a party of natives went to Parihaka and demanded Hiroki to be given up to him, in his right as chief of the tribe to which Hiroki belonged. No discussion or explanation was offered, and instead of delivering up the criminal to be brought to justice, the old chief and his party received peremptory orders to leave Parihaka, failing which their lives were threatened. A native, who was living at Parihaka, and who was friendly disposed towards the old chief, came to him and implored him to make his escape without delay, assuring him of his peril if he remained. The old chief and his party left at once,.

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leaving their horses which had been seized; but after they had gone, their horses were sent after them and delivered up to them. It is, however, only fair to state that the injudicious and rash procedure of the party, on arriving at Parihaka, was said to have been the cause of the treatment they received. For a long time previous to last November, and up to the time of his capture, Hiroki was a prominent character at all the meetings at Parihaka, and received that consideration which anyone in any community of people would receive who was looked upon as a hero. During all the movements for the obstruction of the road work and fencing surveyed land, the precaution was used of keeping Hiroki at Parihaka. Criminals of different grades have from time to time taken shelter at Parihaka, and native offenders generally regarded the place as a refuge of safety. In October, 1880, the Government came to a decision to make a trial of releasing, by instalments, the natives who had been arrested and sent to the gaols of Dunedin, Lyttelton, and Hokitika. The first lot was released from the Dunedin Gaol in October, 1880 ; the second lot from the Dunedin and Lyttelton Gaols in January, 1881 ; the third lot in May, 1881, from Dunedin and Lyttelton Gaols; the fourth lot from Lyttelton in June, 1881 ; and the fifth, and last, lot from Hokitika in the latter part of the same month. I myself was called upon to undertake the service, in the first four cases, of going for the prisoners, and taking them to such places as was decided on for their release. Two lots were landed at Opunake and released, and three lots at New Plymouth. This service was performed to the satisfaction of the Government, and no unsatisfactory result was produced, nor any interference on the part of the released prisoners, except their joining in the movement of fencing and planting land which had been surveyed for sale, and. thereby swelling the number of natives much beyond the number of Armed Constabulary available to be sent against them, when it was deemed advisable to leave the question in abeyance till such time as the Government was prepared to deal effectually with it. I have no doubt in my own mind that this relaxation for the time was the cause of Te Whiti's large talk at the September meeting, thinking the Government had withdrawn from the contest, and that he had achieved another victory without violence, which he followed up by giving instructions in figurative language which most probably he never intended should be put in execution ; but Te Whiti's device on this occasion produced the very opposite effect to that he intended. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. E. Parris.

No. 12. E. Waed, Esq., E.M., to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sik, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Wanganui, 25th May, 1882. I have the honor again to report on the state of the natives in the Eangitikei, Manawatu, and Otaki Districts. I think I may say on the whole they continue to improve in their social condition. During the past year, there have been comparatively few convicted of serious offences. As a rule drunkenness is looked upon by them as a condition in which a man should be ashamed to be found. In religious matters, there is some improvement; but I fear not much. They still have a very strong desire that Parliament will give their Eunangas or Arbitration Courts an authorized jurisdiction to deal with and determine their minor differences and offences. I regret to say they are doing next to nothing in the way of educating their children. I think I may say very few of the rising generation can read or write ; not so their parents, who were taught by the missionaries, as very many of them can both read and write fairly well. I think it is to be regretted that very few Maoris appear to know useful trades. I only know of two; they are carpenters, and are said to be good tradesmen. It seems to me the natives are gradually alienating their land, and in the course of a few years, excepting their reserves, will have nothing to live upon but their manual labour. I think if they could be taught useful trades, their social condition would be much improved. They would build better dwellinghouses, and in many ways assimilate with Europeans and lose many of their old Maori customs, which retard their being a civilized people. As a people, they are not wanting in intelligence, but in civilization. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Eobeet Waed, E.M.

No. 13. E. S. Maunsell, Esq., to the Undeb-Seceetaey, Native Department. Sir, — Greytown, Wairarapa, 9th May, 1882. I have the honor to report on the state of the Maoris during the past year in this district. They continue well hehaved and orderly, and are generally progressing towards a better condition, being more dependent on their own exertions than on Government aid. The census taken during the past year shows the population at 744. I estimate their numbers at about 800 residents. It is impossible to get an exact census on account of their migratory habits and reluctance in giving information as to names, &c, through suspicion of the motive of the Government. In my last report I referred to their belief in prophets, and consequent meetings held by them, resulting in reckless prodigality. Paora, their supposed prophet, has since died, and Te Whiti has been arrested ; their infatuation therefore has ceased. "What mental aberrations they may hereafter develope remains to be seen. Ido not think they will relapse to the same extent, for the privations they have suffered, owing to waste of their means at their past meetings, will act as a deterrent for the future.

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The frequent committee meetings, to which I referred in my last report, are not now held. These have dwindled down to mere desultory controversies at their several kaingas. The action recently taken by Government to suppress the acts of Te Whiti's people did not cause much interest or comment, except in one or two instances. The stand for so long taken by a section of the King party, and those who lately professed " Hauhauism," against the Native Land Court is being relinquished. Large blocks of land are now being surveyed and brought under the operation of the Native Land Act. This I take to be a decided indication of abandonment of their past opposition. Vaccination of Maoris has been proceeded with, but only about 330 submitted themselves to the operation. The medical attendant reports great difficulty in inducing them to meet or come to him for the purpose. The Native Reserve grievances—that is to say, the complaints against non-settlement of the ownerships, and non-issue of Crown grants—still exist. A party of the Ngatiporou tribe from Poverty Bay have been for the last six months engaged in elaborately carving huge totara slabs for a large meeting house at Papawai. It is said that its erection will occupy them about eighteen months, and is to eclipse in its carving and ornamental designs all other similar edifices in New Zealand. Maoris express a wish to have their children taught by a teacher to be appointed by Government. Admission to public schools is refused them, except in one or two instances ; this is owing to the objection European parents have to Maoris (who are filthy in their dress and habits) having contact with their children. Maori children are intelligent, and it appears unjust that no opportunity is afforded them for primary education. The questions which have been in dispute for so many years past between the Government and Maoris have been for the most part satisfactorily adjusted. There yet remain other questions to be dealt with—the Wairarapa Lake being the most important, in a public point of view. This cannot be settled until the Native Land Court hears the claims of the opponents to the sale to the Crown. As my tenure of office will shortly terminate, my successor will receive any assistance he may require from me in completing these matters. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. E. S. Maunsell.

No. 14. S. Deighton, Esq., E.M., Chatham Islands, to the Undek-Secretary, Native Department. Sib, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Waitangi, Chatham Islands, 25th May, 1882. In answer to your circular of 12th April last, I beg to forward my report of the natives of this district. I have very little, however, to say, as things are much in the same state as they were last year. The breaking up of the Parihaka meetings, and the imprisonment of Te Whiti, seems to have caused very little excitement among the natives here, —in fact, I very rarely hear the subject mentioned now in any way. There have been a few arrivals from different parts of New Zealand during the last twelve months. I have to report very little sickness among the natives. I have vaccinated about fifty-six, but ran out of my supply of lymph owing to my going to New Zealand on leave. lam expecting, however, a fresh supply by next mail, when I shall finish the remainder. A Bay Whaling Company has been just formed here, the crews consisting of Maoris and halfcastes. The bulk, however, of the natives are busily at work fencing and planting. Since writing the above, I called a meeting of the natives at the request of Mr. Robertson, Government Surveyor, who has been sent down here to lay off roads through the island. They were very sore on the subject, and declined to have anything to say in the matter, as they were not previously consulted about it. I do not look upon it as a matter of mnch importance, however, and am inclined to think they have been incited by a European. Ido not state this as a positive fact, as I have no certain proof. Ido not consider the affair of sufficient importance to make a separate report to Government; but if anything fresh occurs, I shall do so. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. S. Deighton, R.M.

Authority : George Didsbuey, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB2.