15

G.—l

and Ohinemutu schools have at present no teachers, and since Mr. Neill's appointment to the "Wairoa his daily average has been about nine ; but since the prevailing epidemic has broken out there, there has occasionally been no attendance at all. The Maketu Natives had a large quantity of maize, and the wheat crop at Canaan was a very good one. Owing to the great influx of Aborigines, who came to interview the Hon. the Native Minister, their Indian corn was almost totally destroyed by the largo number of horses grazing in the neighbourhood. The potatoes and kumaras were plentiful, but the great demand upon the hospitality of the inhabitants of Maketu has completely impoverished them. The price of grain being unusually low this season will, I fear, tend to discourage them in extending their agricultural pursuits. Two bridges have been completed since my last report, one over the Utuhina stream connecting Ohinemutu with the main road from Tauranga to Taupo, and the other over the Puaranga Creek. Attempts have been made to form a dray road, from Ohinemutu to Tarawera; but in consequence of the frequent and serious land-slips, the work has hitherto been a failure, but latterly the number of workmen has been increased and the work is progressing favourably. The road from Maketu to Ohinemutu is overgrown with fern and shrubs, so that in places it is almost impassable. No blame, however, is attachable either to the District Engineer or myself, but it arises from the stubbornness and obstinacy on the part of some of the Native owners of the land through which the road passes, and I beg strongly to recommend for the favourable consideration of His Excellency's Government the advisability of employing some of the detachment of Armed Constabulary at present stationed at Ohinemutu in repairing and improving the road in question. A long visit was paid by the Hon. Sir Donald McLean to Maketu, where he met representatives from every section of the Arawa and other parts of the surrounding districts. The main subject of discussion was the land question, which resulted in instructions being issued to the Land Purchase Commissioners engaged in the Arawa territory to discontinue their negotiations for the present. Eewi Maniapoto, Taonui, and other leading chiefs of Ngatimaniapoto,. Ngatiraukawa, and Ngaiterangi, accompanied by about forty followers, arrived at Maketu on the 14th instant, en route to Whakatane, to visit the famed new carved house there named " Mataura." They slept at Maketu that evening. lam not aware that this visit of "Waikato to "Whakatano has any political significance. The reception they met with here was a very poor one, owing to the majority of the Maketu Natives being inland, Ngatiwhakaue being represented by Henare Pukuatua, and Ngatipikiao by Te Mapu and Pita Haroa. I have, &c., F. E. Hamlin, The Under Secretary, Native Department, "Wellington. Resident Magistrate.

No. 12. Mr. J. H. Campbell, E.M., "Waiapu, to the Undeb Secretary, Native Department. Slß,— "Waiapu, 24th May, 1875. I have the honor to report that the Natives of this district have during the past year conducted themselves, as formerly, in a friendly and loyal spirit towards the Government. The progress made in various industries has been most satisfactory. Large quantities of wheat, grass seed, fruit, as well as a considerable number of cattle, horses, pigs, &c, have been exported, and I have not known, during the last ten years, money so plentiful or clothing so good, and food so abundant. Several stores, some on the co-operative principle, have been established, and appear to be doing well. The disposition to lease the unoccupied tracts of country to the Government and to private individuals is increasing. I am glad to be able to report an almost total absence of crime, and very few disputes have arisen which have caused any trouble. The establishment of a small Armed Constabulary station at Te Awanui has already proved a great benefit to the district. ' A small Court-house, which was much required for holding courts and public meetings, has been erected. A sitting of the Lands Court has just been brought to a successful conclusion, and although there was not very much done, still, being the first Court held in this district, it had the good effect of removing the prejudices with which many of the Natives were previously possessed. A large block of valuable oil country, which has been leased to Government, passed the Court without opposition. Much praise is due to Major Ropata Wahawaha for his efforts to enlighten and advance his people, also to further the views of the Government. The scab in sheep, which threatened to be a great hindrance to the progress of the district, is now in a fair way of being shortly eradicated, the owners having consented to dispose of all their sheep to the Land Commissioner, Captain Porter, for the purpose of boiling down on the return of the proper season. After the country is thoroughly purified, those of the Natives who may be disposed to invest again in sheep will understand that for the future they must be subject to the same Act which applies to Europeans with regard to scab. Preparations are being made at the various stations on the coast for whale fishing, an industry which last season proved highly remunerative. The subject of Native schools I shall treat of in a separate report. I have, &c, J. H. Campbell, The Under Secretary, Native Department, "Wellington. Resident Magistrate.