G.—lA

1875. . NEW ZEALAND.

FURTHER REPORTS FROM OFFICERS IN NATIVE DISTRICTS.

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by command of Sis "Excellency.

No. 1. Major Maie, R.M., Alexandra, to the Undee Seceetaet, Native Department. Sib,— Alexandra, "Waikato, 29th May, 1875. In accordance with instructions contained in your circular letter of 6th April, 1 hare the honor to report upon Native matters in the Waikato district. For the sake of convenience, I will divide the Native population into two parts, viz.:— Ist. The Kingites, or people occupying the country beyond the confiscated line. 2nd. The Kupapa, or loyal Natives living along the banks of the Waikato and Waipa Kivers. With reference, then, to the first section, I have to report a marked improvement in the relations existing between the Kingites and the Europeans. There is much less of the reserve and distrust existing in former years, and an increasing desire to arrive at some arrangement by which they may, while preserving in some measure their Native independence, establish a perfectly friendly footing with the Pakeha. This improved state of feeling I attribute in part to the forbearance displayed by the Government on recent occasions, and more especially to the late interviews between the Hon. Sir D. McLean and Tawhiao. There still exists a small uncompromising party, represented by the venerable Manuwhiri and a few more chiefs of the old school, whose policy is " no surrender;" but the majority of the so-called Kingites are on the side of friendly relations and free intercourse, the chief obstacles to which are the jealousies of the chiefs and the anomalous position of Waikato, who, having no territory of their own, are endeavouring by long residence to establish a sort of interest in the lands of Ngatiraaniapoto. The knowledge of this fact on the part of the latter tribe naturally creates bad blood, and anything approaching to unanimity upon any question at issue between the two seems impossible. Each year the trade with the interior is increasing, and there is a general tendency to plant as near aa possible to our settlements and save transport. In the valley of Kopua alone many thousand bushels of wheat and oats have been harvested during the late autumn, and two more threshing machines have been introduced. Owing to unfavourable weather in the spring, the potato crop was small and very late: this fact, coupled with the prodigality attending their political meetings during the year, brought them, in December and January, to the verge of starvation, and perhaps greater privations were endured than have been experienced since the close of the Waikato war. The annual exhibition of Maori products in connection with the Central Waikato Agricultural Society's Show took place at Te Awamutu in March. There was a good attendance, but for the reasons given above the exhibits were not so numerous as in former years. This institution, supported by an annual grant from the General Government of £50, tends very much to promote friendly intercourse between the two races. A large proportion of deaths have occurred during the year, induced probably by the scarcity of food, and latterly by measles, which is still prevalent. Among the persons of rank who have died are Te Paea Tiaho, a sister of Tawhiao's, and Hera, wife of Manuwhiri. Ido not consider their general health good, and my observations lead to the belief that a gradual reduction in their numbers is going on. There has, I am glad to say, been a marked diminution in the consumption of spirits at the great meetings: this has been brought about by the influence of some of the chiefs, and perhaps partly by a general desire to improve their condition. This is shown by the increasing demand for mills and agricultural implements. In this respect only do I note any sign of moral advancement. Hauhauism, in the comparatively mild form which has obtained for the last few years, still holds its own to the exclusion of any other form of religion, and so far as I am aware no effort has been made to win them back to orthodox creeds. I cannot say that any desire is evinced for the education of children. Very few of the young men and women can read or write, but a school in the vicinity of Alexandra might draw a few pupils. I—G. IA.