G.— l

21

With regard to the recent outrage at Waikato, such proceeding is universally condemned by the Natives here, and a unanimous opinion expressed that the perpetrators of so foul and barbarous a deed should be brought to justice, and made to forfeit their lives in expiation of their crime; and I make no hesitation in stating, lhat should circumstances unfortunately compel the Government to resort to force in order to secure the punishment of these murderers, no tribe will be found more loyal and true to its colours, if called upon to assist, than the Whanganui Natives, under the leadership of their brave and distinguished chief, Major Kemp. I have, &c, G. S. Cooper, Esq., Richard W. Woon, Under Secretary, Wellington. Resident Magistrate, Upper Whanganui.

No. 20. The Resident Magistrate, Rangitikei, to tho Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir,— Marton, 18th April, 1873. I have the honor to forward, for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister, the appended report on the .Natives in this district for the past year. The condition of the Natives is unchanged since I sent in my last report, and the quiet of the district has been undisturbed with the exception of one case, which threatened at one time to assume a serious aspect, but which resulted in nothing but threats. The dispute was between Ngatikauwhatu aud Kawana 11 unia: the matter was the right to a block of land near Oroua, in the Manawatu district, which has since been adjudicated on by the Native Lands Court sitting at Foxton. The proceedings of the Court have absorbed the whole attention of the Maoris for the past six months, its doings being the only subject of interest long prior to its sittings. There has been a wish expressed by the Natives at two pas, Te Reureu and Parewanui, to have schools established, but I believe some dissatisfaction also at the amount of aid likely to be given them by the Government; but in the absence of all the principal men at Foxton, in attendance at the Native Lands Court, I have been unable to gather anything definite in the matter. The Natives have not been so much occupied on public works as last year. The principal crimes amongst them are pig-stealing and horse-stealing, both of which are common ; but it is most difficult to obtain convictions, from the reluctance of the injured parties to come forward in criminal matters against members of their own race, and their tendency to compromise such matters amongst themselves; but recently, in two cases in which Europeans were concerned, the Native culprits showed their respect for law by not awaiting its action, but absconding towards Taupo. There lias been no opposition in any shape during the past year to any process of the Resident Magistrate's Court. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Wm. J. Willis, R.M. Native Office, Wellington.

No. 21. Mr. Alexander Mackay, Commissioner of Native Eeserves, Nelson, to the Hon. the Native Minister. Sib, — Native Reserves Office, Nelson, 15th April, 1873. In reply to your Circular No. 3, of the 27th ultimo, requesting me to furnish the usual annual report on the condition of the Natives of my district, I have the honor to state that there is nothing noteworthy to record since the date of my last report on this subject. The moral, social, and physical condition of the Natives is much the same as in past years; and being far removed from the various questions which have agitated the Native mind in the North Island, they pursue their usual avocations quietly and peacefully from year to year without interruption. There has been a great scarcity of provisions amongst the Natives during the last eighteen months, especially amongst the people of Motueka, the majority of whom have had to be maintained at the expense of the Native Reserve Fund since the beginning of last October, in consequence of the destruction of their potato crops by a heavy flood which occurred in that district during last July. A supply of seed potatoes had to be given them for the same reason, as they were entirely destitute, and would have starved if assistance had not been afforded them. The long continuous drought of the past sis months caused almost a total failure of the early crops of potatoes, and it is only now that they have sufficient to live on without further aid. The crops of the Wakapuaka Natives have also suffered by the drought; but, fortunately for them, the supplies they received as a contribution in aid of work done in forming a road through their laud, has kept them in provisions during the most trying period. The Natives in other parts of the district have not required assistance, as they were able through their own exertions to relieve themselves from want. I regret that I cannot report any progress as yet in the way of education. The school at Wakapuaka has only just been put iv hand, various causes having tended to delay its construction till now. A school is being erected for the Natives of the Wairau by the direction of Colonel Russell, to be completed by the Ist proximo ; and tho same provision will have to be made eventually at Waikawa, near Pic ton, for the benefit of the children residing in Queen Charlotte's Sound, who are more numerous than at tho Wairau.