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whom I have presided for over a quarter of a century, and I sincerely hope that my successor in office may be one who will have corresponding interest in their advancement. A rumour is very general throughout the district that the Government do not intend to fill up the vacancy caused by my retirement. I trust, Sir, that this is but an idle rumour: I venture to say that it would be a very serious blunder not to appoint a responsible person to take charge of the district. The Natives would fall back into their old habits : I have witnessed this particularly in places seldom visited by the Magistrate, and one misunderstanding would cost the Government much more than the salary of a responsible officer. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister. W. B. White, Eesident Magistrate.

No. 3. The Eesident Magistbate, Hokianga, to the Hon. the Native Ministee. Eesident Magistrate's Court, Sic,— Hokianga, 28th April, 1873. In reporting to you upon the condition of the Native population residing in this district, I have much pleasure in being able to state that the Natives residing at Wangape, Hokianga, and the adjoining settlements, are almost universally obedient to our laws ; so much so, indeed, that the majority of cases brought into the Eesident Magistrate's Court are between Natives only. There are a few turbulent, lawless spirits amongst them, but these are kept in check by the better disposed, and prevented from giving a serious amount of trouble. With regard to intemperance, I am decidedly of opinion that it is not on the increase, and in some of the settlements spirits are under no pretence whatever allowed to be introduced ; and as a hopeful sign, I may mention that the Natives freely acknowledge the bad eifects of drunkenness, and are most anxious that some means may be devised for the purpose of stayiug the increase, and if possible of decreasing the effects of this great evil amongst them. But still, I am sorry to say that large sums of money are expended by them in drink, as there is scarcely a Native meeting held at which there is not a very great quantity of spirits consumed. With regard to the physical condition of the Natives, I am inclined to believe that they are slowly but steadily decreasing in numbers; and from my own observations made during the past two years, and which are doubtless very imperfect, I should estimate the annual number of deaths to exceed the number of births by about a thirtieth. This is in a great measure to be accounted for by the absence of proper attention to the sick, and not from any want of will or natural affection, but from ignorance alone ; and I believe it would be a great boon to the Natives if simple instructions how to treat the sick were occasionally published in the Waka Maori, a paper which is eagerly read by the Natives here. The principal complaints from which they appear to suffer are gastric and low fever, asthma, and diseases of the chest. Fever has been very prevalent during the early part of the season, and from the effects of which many deaths have occurred. Amongst those who have passed away during the last year I may mention Te Tai Papahia, an influential chief of Te Earawa, and Te Whata Te Tahua, of Ngapuhi. Both of them were Native Assessors, and were upwards of sixty years of age. Both were fine representatives of the old Rangatira Maori. I may be prejudiced, but I am inclined to believe that the rising generation is not physically equal to that which is fast passing away. With reference to agriculture, a large extent of land has been planted in corn and potatoes during the past year, and the yield has been, upon the whole, good. Of wheat but a small quantity has been grown, and that only in the valley of the Waima and at the Taheke. More attention has been paid to agricultural pursuits than formerly, and large clearings have been prepared for cropping during the coming season. This is owing, to a great extent, to the at present low price of kauri gum, at the digging of which very few of the Natives have been engaged, and therefore have had more time to spend upon their cultivations. Owing to the increase of wild dogs in the forest ranges, it has become almost impossible to keep sheep in this district, but the number of oxen, horses, and cattle owned by the Natives is very considerable, and constantly increasing. Large numbers of the people are regularly engaged squaring timber for the Australian markets, and, from the large wages which they are enabled to earn at this kind of labour, are in the enjoyment of every European necessary and comfort. As regards public works, roads are in course of construction between Kaikohe and Te Taheke and from thence to Waima ; also from Omanaia to Whirinaki and from thence to Pakia and Waiinamaku, and the road from the Township of Hokianga to Omanaia is just in course of completion, thus, opening up a considerable extent of valuable land, affording easy means of communication between the various settlements both to European and Native, and giving employment to a great number of the Natives. It is further in contemplation to open up a road between Hokianga and Wangape through the rich and extensive district of Manga-nui-o-wae, of which but little is at present known, but from the general level appearance of the country, seems to be admirably adapted for settlement. The Natives are most anxious to open up the country by means of roads ; —arc not inclined to throw any obstacle in the way of the Government—freely giving up the land when required for that purpose; and the thanks of the community are undoubtedly due to the Hon. Wiremu Katene for the careful and energetic supervision he has bestowed upon these and other public works in the North. The question of education is at the present time occupying the attention of the Natives. In the early part of last year a school was established at Waitapu with a commencement of twenty pupils. This number has been steadily increasing, until at the present time it exceeds forty ; and the progress made by the scholars is most gratifying. Another school has also been established at Waima, with an attendance of upwards of sixty pupils. It is also in contemplation to establish schools at Wangape, Waimamaku, Whirinaki, and Mangamuka. In the schools already established the English language alone is taught, the Maori language not being allowed to be spoken during school hours.