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1876. NEW ZEALAND.

REPORTS FROM OFFICERS IN NATIVE DISTRICTS.

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

No. 1. Captain Wilson, Opunake, to the Hon. the Native Minister." Sir,— Opunake, 26th August, 1875. 1 am instructed by Major Brown to report to you anything of importance in connection with this month's Parihaka meeting. There is nothing of political importance. Te Whiti counselled peace as usual. There is some ridiculous prophecy, but I cannot find that it emanates from Te Whiti himself; it, however, originates at Parihaka. It is to the effect that evil will come on all Natives who do not go to Parihaka, and remain there until after next September meeting. The Natives evidently believe in it, as numbers are going up there, and intend remaining there until after next meeting. It is said among the Natives that the Maori King is coming to be present at the next September meeting. I believe, from all I can learn, the next September meeting will be the largest held there for some time. Everything in this district is going on quietly and peaceably ; there is nothing unusual to report. I have, &c, P. a. Wilson, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Captain N.Z.M.

No. 2. Major Brown, Civil Commissioner, New Plymouth, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir,— New Plymouth, 23rd September, 1875. I have the honor to report that Mr. Commissioner Parris and myself left this on Tuesday, the 14th instant, for Parihaka, taking Puniho on our way, where there was a distribution of food after our arrival. On Wednesday we reached Parihaka, where we were warmly welcomed by Te Whiti and the Natives assembled there. There were two meetings —one on Friday, and one on Saturday—at which Te Whiti spoke at considerable length. Tohu and Tamati Teito were the other principal Native speakers, very few others offering any remarks. The main subjects were peace and good-will between all people, tribes and Natives, the approaching retirement of Mr. Parris (which was very much deplored), and my assumption of office as his successor. Mr. Parris addressed them several times at some length, advising them and taking leave of them ; and I offered a few remarks to the meeting that were well received. There were no questions of any importance adverted to, except that Te Whiti informed his hearers that he had nothing to say to them relative to land-selling—each one must use his own judgment on the question. There was so much sickness at Parihaka that we sent for Dr. O'Carroll, who saw some 150 patients. About a third were suffering from measles or its effects; the others from the usual consequences of the change of season and being crowded together, there being altogether 1,500 collected at Parihaka. There were some deaths this month before our arrival there, some six deaths while we were there, and some since we left —altogether about seventeen deaths. There is at present a good deal of sickness among the Natives north as well as south of this. A good many deaths have taken place this month at Waihi, Onaero, and Urenui. I have, &c, Chas. Brown, The Under Native Secretary, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

No. 3. Mr. E. S. Brsn, Raglan, to the Hon. the Natiye Minister. Sib, — Eesident Magistrate's Office, Eaglan, 26th August, 1875. I have the honor to report, for your information, that I proceeded to Waikoria on Thursday last (about half-way to Port Waikato) in company with Kiwihuatahi, Wetini Mahikai, and others. "We I—G. 1.