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these boards should have the assistance of the English Magistrate, who should be well acquainted with their language and customs. This form should have also a General Conference, to prepare laws for the whole body There is another subject that should not be lost sight of, as it will be a powerful instrument, if well managed, in bringing the Native mind off from war and rapine ; namely, agricultural schools and industrial schools; a good secular education should be given, if possible, to all the rising generation. The Natives should be by every means encouraged in industry; prizes should be given for the best built and best kept houses, for the best cultivated land, fitc.j all this would tend to lead their minds into a new channel; it would open new resources to them which they would soon avail themselves of. Persons should be sent to teach them various useful trades. By these means the Natives would gradually forsake their present vagrant habits; they would become industrious, and, instead of being a curse, they would become a blessing to the country. But great care is needed in the choice of persons who are to go amongst them, or more harm will be done than good. The above is but a mere outline of a plan which, if adopted, I am sure would succeed. But before any measures can be carried out with advantage, I am satisfied that the Native Department must be greatly altered. From the commencement of tiie Colony, the Native Office has constantly rendered much valuable and essential aid to the country in the management of Native affairs. But, at a critical time like this, when the wants of the Native population are increased to such an extent, it is quite impossible for it, in its present form, to conduct its operations with speed and efficiency. Therefore, to meet existing emergencies, and at the same time to keep pace with the growing requirements of the Natives, that Department should be entirely remodelled and greatly enlarged, so that it could act with good effect upon the whole Native population, and give to both races the benefit of its services on all Maori matters; to enable each to obtain immediate advice, and to have quick redress for any real grievance they may have to complain of, so that all disputes could be speedily and amicably arranged. Neither party would then have any valid cause of complaint that they were neglected or their case delayed. To effect this object, some such plan as the following is needful:—The appointment of a Native Commissioner to be head of the whole Department; the appointment of two Native Secretaries, one for Auckland and one for Wellington; also, Assistant Native Secretaries for the Bay of Islands, New Plymouth, Napier, Whanganui, Nelson, &c., where there is a large mixed population. Each of these Assistant Native Secretaries to correspond with and report to the Native Secretary nearest to where he is located. By adopting the above, or some similar plan, all Native business could be speedily and satisfactorily settled; by so doing the confidence of the Natives would be gradually regained; they would then be able to see that the Government had their interest at heart.

James Preece, Esrj.

To carry out this plan with integrity, it would be necessary to use great caution in the selection of persons to fill the above positions, or the object aimed at will not be attained. A mere superficial knowledge of the Native language is not a sufficient qualification to enable persons to manage Native affairs with advantage. Each person should be able to follow the Natives in their speeches, and clearly to understand the various figures employed by each speaker to illustrate his subject, so that he may quite comprehend what is meant. He should also speak Maori as a Native speaks it, so that they may not misunderstand him in what he wishes to impart; and should be able to express himself at all times in that clear way that no doubt may exist on the mind of the Natives as to what is meant. Particular care should be taken in the preparation of all Maori documents to be sent from the office to the Natives, so that no ambiguity should exist as to its import; they ought all to be written in a brief, terse, clear style. To work out a comprehensive plan like the one now proposed, a large expenditure will be caused; but in the end it will be well repaid by the speedy and satisfactory adjustment of difficulties, many of which are now obliged to be altogether neglected or delayed for a considerable time, and thereby cause discontent, which, if they were promptly attended to, would create in the Natives' mind a feeling of confidence, and make them at all times willing to refer all their difficulties to the Government, trusting in them both for protection and aid whenever they have any difficulties to contend with. A wise and benevolent Government like ours wih not refuse its assistance for the accomplishment of a scheme which would prove of such vast importance to a population of about 80,000 Natives, who, if rightly tieated, will yet become a blessing to the couutry. It will be seen from the above calculation of the number of Natives, that I differ in opinion from the last census, taken by the Government, which makes the number to be only 5C,049, which, I am satisfied, is far short; in that statement many large districts are altogether left out, and all are very far from being correct, as that put down at Mercury Bay is SG, which extends from Cape Colville to Kotikoti, and which ought to be as follows:— From Cape Colville to Port Chanes, about 50 Haratanga, (or Kennedy's Bay,) about 250 Whangapai, about 20 Kuautumi, about 3G Mercury Bay, Wharemoremo, Waikawa, &c, about 56 Wharekawa, near Kotikoti , 30 442 Population given 5C

Not accounted for 3.6 Now if so great a mistak- has been made iv a distance of not more than 50 miles, what must it

15

ON THE ARRIVAL OF SIR GEORGE GREY.