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REPORTS EROM OEEICERS

No. 14. Eev. James W. Stack, Interpreter, Kaiapoi, to the Hon. the Native Minister. Sir,— Kaiapoi, 10th July, 1872. I have the honor, in accordance with your Circular (3rd June, 1872), to enclose my report on the Maoris of East Canterbury. I have made no allusion to the school, as I hope to furnish a special Eeport upon it shortly. The building is completed, and I am only waiting instructions respecting the appointment of a master. I have, &c, James Stack.

Eeport on the Maoris of East Canterbury, for year ending 30th June, 1872. THE STaTE OF MAORI FEELING. For several years past the Natives in this district have manifested a spirit of discontent, that has had the effect of checking their civilization, towards which they had made considerable advance. The producing causes of this irritation, so far as they are peculiar to the state of transition through which the Maoris are now passing, are inevitable and irremediable ; but there are others that might have been prevented, and can be remedied. Of course it was impossible for the Maoris to forsee all the consequences that were certain to follow the sale of their lands, for the purpose of colonization. They thought only of the advantages they were likely to secure—advantages that were more appreciable twenty-five years ago than they are now ; for then the Maoris found a ready market for their labour and their produce ; now, both are at a discount; then, such food and clothing as they needed were readily procured; now they are often in want of both; then, they felt perfectly free; now, their liberties are seriously curtailed. Besides, the constant pressure exercised by the close neighborhood of overwhelming numbers of civilized persons compels them to abandon their old, simple, and inexpensive mode of life, and to adopt new and uncongenial customs, that require more money than they, with their indolent and improvident habits, and limited range of employments, are able always to obtain ; this produces an irritable state of mind, that finds vent in the abuse of the Government, for they trace all their difficulties to having parted with the lands,from which the Government now derives so large a revenue. Could they by any means overturn the original bargain, and regain possession of the land yet unsold, their difficulties would all vanish. They spend much of their time dreaming and talking over such a possibility. The statements made by many who were parties to the original deed of purchase, raised their hopes of a favorable verdict, if their case were submitted to a competent tribunal. The adverse decision of the Native Land Court was therefore a great disappointment, and only increased the discontent, which has continued ever since to exist. The facilities afforded for the generation of ill feeling, and the perpetuation of grievances, by the congregation of Maoris on reserves, makes it very questionable whether it is for the best interests of the Maoris that they should be placed in communities on large reserves. From what I have seen during twelve years residence here, I am inclined to think that it would be more conducive to their welfare and happiness to distribute them among the European population, and instead of having several contiguous sections occupied by Natives, to have every individual Maori's section surrounded by land in the occupation of whitemen. They would then become absorbed in the general population, and cease to regard themselves as a separate and foreign people. What the force of example will do, may be seen in Canterbury, where the houses, the clothing, and the habits of the people, are nearer to those of the civilized man than perhaps could be found in any other part of the country ; and if the effect of surrounding the Native community, even at some distance, with an European population has exercised such an elevating influence, what might we not expect were every Native homestead surrounded by the same civilizing influence. So long as the present system of locating Maoris on reserves prevails —so long will they cherish their old customs —so long will they be idle, dirty, and improvident, so long will they dream of self-government, and fret about their altered position, and spend their time in idle abuse and vain complaints. MORAL CONDITION. The moral condition of the people is rather above the average. Convictions for criminal offences are very rare. Drunkenness is an uncommon offence, and always punished by the Natives. A total abstinence movement originating entirely with themselves, and largely supported, proves that the people favor sobriety. There is very little illicit sexual intercourse either between whites or amongst themselves. It prevailed here to a great extent some years ago, but drink was generally the inciting cause. PHYSICAL CONDITION. The rate of mortality is less than it was, owing not to the increased vigor of the race, but to the absence of epidemics. The children form little more than one-fourth of the population. It is a curious fact that tho form of scrofula, so common in tho North, which attack the glands of the neck, is unknown here. Can it be owing to the large consumption of (titi) mutton birds, and to their never eating Indian corn ? Asthma and rheumatism are common amongst adults. Low fever and pulmonary diseases cause most of the deaths.