E—No. 9 Sec. I.

proposed organization for tub acceptance of the ngapuh1 chiefs, at their first runanga, convened at wa1mate, march 27, 1862. Bat of Islands District. This district is called the Bay of Islands District, that is to say, all territory lying within a boundary line, commencing at the North Head of False Hokianga or Herekino, running thence in a right line to the summit of Maungataniwha, and thence in a right line to the South Head of Whangaroa harbour, thence by the coast line (including adjacent islands) to the North Head of Tutukaka harbour, thence by a right line to Mannganoi Bluff, ami thence by the coast line to the commencing point. (See Maori Messenger, February 5, 1862.) This district is subdivided into three Hundreds, to be called, the Hundred of Kororareka, the Hundred of Hokianga, and the Hundred of Waimate. The District to be constituted in the following order, namely, 1 civil commissioner ; 3 magistrates ; 12 chiefs for the District Runanga, viz., 4 for the hundred of Hokianga, 2 for the hundred of Kororareka, and 6 for the hundred of Waimate ; 3 wardens ; and 20 kareres, viz., 4 for the hundred of Kororareka, 6 for the hundred of Hokianga, and 10 for the hundred of Waimate ; and should the Runanga at any time wish to make any further additions to the number of kareres or assessors above named, their recommendation to be forwarded for the approval of His Excellency the Governor in Council. The civil commissioner, and magistrates, shall be appointed by the Governor in Council. The chiefs of the District Runanga shall be elected by the hapus of the respective hundreds, subject to the approval of His Excellency the Governor in Council. The wardens, assessors, and kareres shall be nominated by the District Runanga, subject to the approval of His Excellency the Governor in Council. The chiefs of the District Runacga shall hold office for tiie term of four years, at the expiration of which the Governor shall dissolve the Runanga, and the hapus of the respective hundreds shall again elect members, subject to the approval of His Excellency the Governor in Council. The assessors shall hold office for life, or during good conduct, subject to removal only by His Excellency the Governor in Council. There shall be one meeting of the District Runanga in the year, to be convened by the Civil Commissioner, addressing the chiefs of the hundreds by letter, setting forth the time and place of meeting, it being the pleasure of the Governor in Council that such meeting should take place. At the close of every meeting, before the Runanga breaks up, it shall be determined when and where the next meeting shall take place. The Governor in Council may at any time, or on any special occasion, assemble the District Runanga, through the Civil Commissioner, to take into consideration subjects within their jurisdiction. The chief to be elected for the District Runanga should be of good family, should possess influence among his people, a man of general knowledge ; he should be free from debt, and well spoken of by all. An assessor, also, before whom cases of every kind will be brought for adjudication, should be a man of good knowledge, free from debt, neither a drunkard nor an adulterer, and be well spoken of by all, in order that he may command success in all his undertakings. The same is also applicable to the kareres ; if it be their desire to continue in office, they must maintain good conduct. All persons, from the age of 18 years and upwards shall be qualified to vote at elections, inasmuch as it is a native custom that all should take an active part in public affairs. All native elections shall be conducted in the same manner as elections for the Provincial Council and General Assembly. A census of every hundred in the district shall be taken, from which an electoral roll shall be formed, in order that elections may be quietly and orderly conducted. All salaries, both of European and native officers, will be paid by the Government through the Civil Commissioner, who is considered to act as the sub-treasurer of the district. The Native Districts Regulations Act, of 1858, has given powers to some extent, to which may be added the following :— 1. To inspect and report upon schools aided by the Goverument. 2. To recommend additional schools to be established. 3. The erecting and maintaining of hospitals. 4. The charge and construction of roads. 5. The erecting and maintaining of gaols. 6. The adjustment of all lands in dispute by tiibes, hapus, and individuals. 7. To recommend terms and conditions under which crown grants may be issued. 8. Taxation for defraying expenses of Runanga and providing for schools. 9. Recommend and provide endowments for all religious purposes. 10. Recommend the b<?st mode of carrying out the decisions of courts of justice. Should a vacancy occur in the District Runanga, through death or resignation, the same to be filled up within two months, from the time the president of the Runanga is made acquainted with such death or resignation, in the following manner, viz., by a letter from the commissioner to the resident magistrate of the hundred, requesting him to call together the chiefs of that part of the hundred where the vacancy has occurred, for the purpose of nominating a successor ; and in the event of more than one chief being nominated, a poll may be demanded, as in the case of Provincial Council elections, the polling day to be named ; an assessor shall act as the returning officer under

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BAY OF ISLANDS.