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No. 4. Dr. Osmond, E.M., "Wairoa, to the Under Seceetabt, Native Department. Sin, — Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, Ist June, 1875. I have the honor to report, for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister, on the state of the Natives in this district. As to political and general good feeling towards the Government, I can now report favourably. Our chiefs and influential people have lately visited Napier, and, while there, had opportunities of seeing Sir Donald M'Lean, and of ventilating many real or imaginary grievances. They seem now to be contented, and a much better tone of feeling prevails among them. Some four months ago, it was a very different state of things. Several large runanga whares were then completed, and the occasion celebrated by large gatherings of Natives, including many strangers from Waikato, Wairarapa, and distant parts of Hawke's Bay, &c. At this time also many very exciting and inflammatory letters were received by each mail, and some very bitter feeling engendered. Pood now forms but a very limited item at these feasts. Grog—chiefly rum—is consumed in immense quantities, and general drunkenness prevails. Between the Wairoa and Urewera Natives there now exists much mistrust and unfavourable feeling, the chief bone of contention being the division of the confiscated land. I am happy to report that the Native school is now started at the Waiherere, the church there having been repaired and given over to the school trustees by the chief Paora Apatu until the projected school-house is completed. Owing to the excessively wet weather which has prevailed ever since tile opening, the attendance has been but limited, but I am assured that a number of children will be sent when the cold and rainy season is over. Some of the chiefs do not appreciate or encourage the school, Paora Apatu and Tamihana Huata notably so. Some months since, when directed by Government to start the building of the school, I divided into three portions the sawn timber required, and gave the Upper Wairoa Natives one, the Middle ones a second, and the Lower River ones the third, so that all should have an interest in the work, and also participate in the profits. For a time all worked well, and the order was nearly completed when I received intimation that two of the parties wore selling the timber they had cut for the school. They informed me that they had changed their minds, that some of them had lately visited Poverty Bay, and that they found the schools there at a standstill, and working no good. I have since learned that they regretted having promised that certain portions of rents of leased lands should be paid annually towards the support of the schoolmaster. A large portion of this land they are now about to sell to Government, and they fear that they may still be held responsible. So that, until this question of purchase is settled, I see no chance of getting them to start again the cutting of the timber. The telegraph is now in active use as far as Poverty Bay, and during its erection there was but little trouble or hindrance from the Natives. The majority of them now understand its great usefulness. As regards law: criminal cases, in which Natives were the defendants, have been few in number during the past year, and the fines inflicted were readily paid, assaults and petty larceny being the charges. The civil cases have been numerous, chiefly for debts contracted at the stores. When forced to do so, the Natives find the means to satisfy these claims. The Crops. —Owing to the long-continued dry weather of last summer, and the ravages of the wireworm, the main crops of potatoes and kumaras were generally a failure. The Natives had extensively cultivated equal to almost treble the amount of the past several years, stimulated thereto in anticipation of a visit from the Hon. the Native Minister, and long-arranged visits from distant relatives and friends. The late crops, though not extensive, are reported as generally good, and the maize crop is said to be excellent, and to have been largely cultivated. The mortality among the Natives for the past year is much below the, average, and chiefly among the scrofulous children. Although measles have prevailed among the white population, and scarce a family has escaped, yet, excepting some two or three isolated cases at Waikaremoana, the Natives have kept so far free from it. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department. Fbedk. F. Orjiond.

No. 5. The Ilev. J. W. Stack, Christchurch, to the Hon. the Native Minist.eb. Sib,— ■ Christchurch, 29th June, 1875. I have the honor to forward the enclosed report on the Canterbury Maoris for the past year, and to apologise for the delay which has occurred in forwarding it, which was owing to my being ill at the time it ought to have been sent. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Native Affairs, Wellington. James W. Stack.

Eepoet on the Cantebbuby Maoris, 1874 to 1875. Theee is little of any interest to report about the condition of the Natives in this district during the past year. The agitation respecting the "unfulfilled promises" continues. A meeting was held at Arowhenua on the 27th of May, but it was not so largely attended as the previous meeting held the year before at Kaiapoi. A statement of their case was drawn up by the Natives at this meeting, and presented to His Excellency the Governor during his late visit to Canterbury. 2—G-. la.