4

should be enrolled as constables, only to be employed on special occasions, and only to be paid when so employed. Of course, they would be employed only, or chiefly, in Native cases under the Ordinance just mentioned. The payment should come out of the funds in our charge. We believe indeed that this system might be extended throughout the Islands of New Zealand, so as to make the Native population preserve the public peace and carry out the English law among themselves, and by their own agency alone. But to effect this the matter should be taken up by the General Government; and an uniform thoroughly organized system adopted. The influence of the chief should be maintained as far as necessary, and made use of. Distinctive dresses or badges, denoting, and making conspicuous to all, the possession of the rank conferred, should be given ; and degrees of rank according to the power and deserts of the chiefs respectively, might be constituted, and distinctive badges given for each degree. The special constables should be employed only by their own chiefs, in conjunction with the superior British magistrate or magistrates, and only in the apprehension or otherwise of Natives belonging to the tribes subordinate to the ,Chief who employed them. To reconcile this with the ordinary routine of British Law, it would but be necessary to define the districts for which such chiefs and serfs were constituted magistrates and constables, as identical with the districts inhabited by the tribes and hapus subordinate to such chiefs respectively ; neither to have any power, unless under special authority and under special circumstances beyond the limits of such districts. After all, this is merely a matter of Police ; and strictly the expense of preserving the peace among the Natives should he defrayed out of the Ordinary Revenue, as much as that incurred for the same object among the Europeans. But perhaps, as any such special arrangement is rendered necessary solely by the absence among the Natives of the respect for the laws habitual to Europeans, it would be justifiable to allow a portion, at all events, of the expense of the arrangements to be laid upon funds specially devoted to the benefit of the Natives. We propose, next, to continue the appropriation of a certain amount of the Fund to the payment of medical men for advice and medicines administered to the Natives. Three of these should eventually be employed ; one in the Motueka district, one in Tasman Bay district, and one in the Pelorus district. Fifty pounds a-year for each would perhaps be sufficient for this purpose. The Board should also be at liberty to pay for occasional extra charges connected with the health of the Natives ; such as one we are now incurring, for the safe custody of a dangerous female lunatic, whom the Provincial Authoiities had no means of securely providing for ; this again involves a subject which properly should be taken in hand by the General Government, viz., the establishment of General Lunatic Asylums. Were such an institution founded, either at Auckland or Wellington, the expenses, it may be presumed, would be defrayed by the Provinces, in proportion as they took advantage of it. So much a head might be paid for every patient admitted ; and, in the cases of Natives in this district, of course the payment might be made out of the Trust Funds we are writing of. With respect to measures for the physical improvement of the Natives, we have none to recommend with much confidence. They seem, generally speaking, at present inveterate in their adherence to their dirty Native habits, and to their residence in Pas. It might perhaps be worth consideration whether any good could be effected by erecting any model buildings, such as have been built for the poorest classes in England, where the means of preserving cleanliness and other comforts, by being provided for a number of families in common, are made attainable by all, at a very trifling expense. But if, as in England, any rent, however small, were charged, it is to be feared that the Natives would either refuse to pay it, or prefer remaining in their present dirty hovels ; and, if no rent were charged, it would be really supporting them on chartiy, and productive therefore of the worst effects, as encouraging idleness and pauperism. Another plan, whicli we are more inclined to recommend, would be to offer annually some small rewards to those Natives who distinguished themselves by the degree in which they adopted European habits in these respects. Premiums might perhaps be given upon the addition of brick chimneys, or wooden floors, and glass windows to their houses; or for general cleanliness in dress and invariable use of European clothing. Reports on these subjects might be procured from the pastors of the different denominations with regard to their respective flocks. But all this, of course, should be done, if done at all, with much caution. And in the distribution of the Offices previously recommended, such as those of Assessors and Constables, attention to these habits of civilization in external matters should, as far as possible, be made a condition of their bestowal. The former Commissioners appear to have made occasional presents to the Natives, with a view to assist them in industrial pursuits ; such as bullocks or carts to tribes, saws, ploughs, &c., to families or hapus. We are not disposed to recommend a continuance of this system, being of opinion that the principle of giving unconditional presents is radically a bad one, and that all such assistance should be made the means of exciting efforts after self-dependence, and be only bestowed—if bestowed at all—in, the way of rewards or prizes for superior industry and skill. Annual prizes might perhaps be given for the best ploughing, the best crops, or the best farming generally. Lastly, with respect to their mental and moral improvement. The direct and ordinary means of effecting this, are through the School and the Church. The latter, the Board do not advise any interference with, or the appropriation of any of their funds to the support of. The different Denominations have hitherto, and for a long time, it is believed, supplied sufficient religious or theological instruction to the Natives of their respective sects, with means furnished from English Societies or religious Bodies. And we do not thiiik it desirable to do anything in aid of them, beyond granting portions of land where necessary, as sites of Churches or Chapels. The School Education of the Natives is a different question ; and here we are met with a difficulty arising from the transfer above mentioned of so many of the best Reserves to the Bishop of New Zealand.