E—No. 7

James Preece, Esq.

be throughout the whole country? lam quite convinced that 80,000 is about the real number, giving a population of about 27,000 able-bodied men. It is impossible to get a correct census, from the great difficulty to obtain the desired information from the Natives. They have a natural antipathy to being numbered, because, iv their native state, they never counted people except when they meant to kill them; also, because they have constantly been told by white men that the Government wish to take their number so as to ascertain how fast they are decreasing, while they take that of the white population to see how fast they are increasing, to enable them to know at what period they can enslave them.

Another matter that requires attention at the present time is the land question, which has for so long a time perplexed all parties. Many plans have been suggested, but yet difficulties present themselves. Should it be found needful to alter the present mode of purchase, I have suggested two plans, at different times, either of which I believe to be quite practicable; either would remove the present objections held, by parties against the existing Land Department. The first plan that I beg leave to suggest is that District Land Commissioners be appointed in all parts of the Northern Island, who are thoroughly acquainted both with the Native customs and language, having a good knowledge of the Native tenure to their land. Their duty should be to investigate and report on all Native Title to land in their district. All land that had been investigated, and where no dispute existed, a Crown Grant should be issued, if possible; each individual's land should be marked out, and a separate grant given. A proper Court, having authority to decide on disputed cases, should be at once established. Whenever a Crown Grant had been made, (except for a Native Reserve,) the holder should have full liberty to dispose of such lands. But no land that is held by Natives should be allowed to be disposed of without their first having obtained a Crown Grant. The second plan is that all persons who wish to purchase land from the Natives should make their own selection, and then ascertain that the owners are quite willing to part with it; then let them go to the District Commissioner, and request him to make proper investigation on that claim, which, when done, he shall report to Government; if the report was favourable the Government would issue a certificate which should enable the intended purchaser to have the land surveyed and mapped ; when that was completed, the District Commissioner should be present to see the money paid; he skould fill up the deed and endorse it; he would then forward it to the Government, who would then give a Crown Grant to the purchaser, upon the payment of certain fees. By this plan the Government would be entirely free from all disputes about land, and the purchaser would have a bonti fide title. The Commissioners should have t.ieir salaries from the Government ; they should not be allowed to take anything from any purchaser. By this means they would be able to act independently. In the year 1841 I was consulted by Governor Hobson on the subject of land purchase; I then recommended the above plan, which he would have adopted had he lived to have met his Council. To clearly understand the nature of these land claims, it requires a person to be conversant with the Native usage on the subject. A document prepared by me and sent to the Government, entitled " Observations on the Natives, Tenure to their Land," will give a deal of insight into that subject. Nothing requires more caution, but, when properly handled, it may be managed to the advantage of all parties. James Preece. Coromandel, August 19, 1861. No. 7. BAY OF ISLANDS. REPORT FROM J. R. CLENDON, ESQ., RESIDENT MAGISTRATE. Kerikeri, 2nd October, 18G1. , Sir,— I have the honor to acknowledge your circular of the 7th August last, requesting a general report upon the state of the Natives in this district. The Natives as a body are well disposed towards the Government, and behave well to the Europeans ; who, considering the extent of the district, are but few (about 600) and much dispersed— excepting at Russell, where occasional misunderstandings occur, but almost invariably through the Natives indulging too freely in liquor. To take Hokianga as an example, the white settlers, with but few exceptions, are very old residents, through whom the Natives derive all their foreign necessaries and comforts, and a long intercourse has engendered a more cordial feeling between the races than probably obtained in any other district; a white man's influence among the Maoris will be found to be in proportion to his capabilities of supplying their wants, and at this place, owing to the Natives not possessing any vessels, they are more completely dependent than elsewhere upon their Pakehas; yet, notwithstanding the good feeling which exists, the Europeans have occasionally to submit to exactions. I believe the Natives have treated the Taranaki question and the Maori King movement with marked indifference, though there are many descendants of Taranaki and Waikato slaves intermixed among them, and Europeans who ought to have known belter, have endeavoured to excite their sympathy in Javor of those engaged in rebellion ; but I must except from this, those dwelling at the Rawiti, near Russell; whose near connexion through the marriage of Rewa's daughter with Kati,

J. R. C'.endori, Etq\

16

REPORTS ON THE STATE OF THE NATIVES