21

G.—l

I have the pleasure to report that quietness and good order prevail throughout, and that, notwithstanding the losses sustained by many of them in the Waikato by the unusually heavy floods having overflown and destroyed the greater portion of their crops, the Natives have nevertheless, encouraged by the example of the settlers, and assisted with some little relief in the shape of seed advanced by the Government for the ensuing season, made an effort to re-establish themselves on their small holdings, which, though scattered, are generally to be found on the banks of the larger navigable creeks and rivers. Further than this no marked change has taken place in the condition of the Natives since last I had the honor to address you. The policy of the present Government, but especially that part of it which recognizes the importance of a sound but plain English education, is one that has already borne good fruit, and is in many localities commending itself to the favour and interest of the more thoughtful members of the rising generation of the Native race. I have, &c, H. T. Kemp, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

No. 26. Mr. E. W. Pijckey, Thames, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sic, — Native Office, Thames, 16th June, 1876. I have the honor, in compliance with your circular, of 30th March, to report as follows, for the information of the Government:— (1.) As to the attitude of the Natives towards the Government. There are now, it may be said, but few Natives at the Thames who do not own allegiance to the Queen and her laws, and who would not yield ready obedience to a summons from the Eesident Magistrate's Court. Closely allied with this subject is the decadence of Hau-Hauism, which has been succeeded by the Tariao, a belief, if I may so term it, that is from the present state of affairs in a measure harmless, but which I do not consider at all calculated to elevate the Native mind, being, I take it, one step further removed from the sublime truths of Christianity than Hau-Hauism. I enclose the form of prayer, if it may be so called, furnished to me by Mr. George T. Wilkinson, and which I have subsequently heard used at Waihi, on the east coast of this district. The Ngatipae hapu, of Ngatitamatera, living near Cape Colville, have lately become professed Hau-Haus. To this but little political significance may be attached. The reason alleged by themselves is that so many of them have died recently whilst professing Christanity, and that some notable Tohunga has attributed it to that cause, and they wish to know whether it is so or not. (2.) Agricultural Pursuits. I find that the Natives are retrograding rather than progressing in the cultivation of the soil, and that but few are paying any attention to industrial pursuits. They grow food barely sufficient for a scanty subsistence, and trust to Providence and the chance of duping some unlucky pakeha for what else may be required. (3.) Moral Condition. This can hardly be said to be improving, except in respect of abstaining from the use of intoxicating drinks. There has been far less drunkenness lately than was formerly the case. The murder of Petera Koikoi, by some Tauranga Natives, at Tairua, in January last, and the fact that that outrage was done with the consent of a large section of Ngaiterangi, whose action has since been indorsed by the Hauraki tribes, shows that the belief in witchcraft still holds a strong position in the Maori mind, and that they are more willing to adopt the remedy provided in the Mosaic law for the suppression of the alleged evil, than they are to take the word of the civilized people with whom they have come in contact, that no such evil exists. (4.) Native Schools. I regret again to have to state that no Native school has yet been established in my district, and that but ten children have been for the past year availing themselves of the generosity of the Government in furnishing them with the means of acquiring the English language as a means of access to the wide domain of literature. I have, &c, E. W. Puckey, The Under Secretary, Native Department, 'Wellington. Native Agent.

KAEAKIA TAEIAO. Ko Eangi, ko Papa, ko Eongo, ko Tanemahuta teihana: kangana Tawhirimatea te tangata tuturu ote motu teihana; he uea he uea te uri o aio teihana. Ko te korekore nui, kore para, ko whiwhia ko rawea teihana; he ki tenei, tiki te pou mua, tiki te pou roto, te ahua mai Hawaiki teihana. Ko Toi, ko Ohatanga, ko Orakeiora teihana. Ko Tahatiti, ko Tama-ki-te-rangi, ko Teatitirauhea, ko Noa teihana. Ko Tawhaki a he ma ko ta noa ko Hinga kireira teihana. Ko te 1 Atawerohia, ko Tutunui, ko Tuturangi teihana. Uenuku okara c rongo te ao teihana; ko te rangi a newa kei runga torona rire hau. Ko Maui mua, Maui roto. Maui taha, Maui taki taki otera ka pai. Uenuku okara c hohoro te iwi kua rauna te ki ka pai; Eunuku, Eurangi, Eupapa, Hukerekere, ka pai.; ko ahau ko Tarawhitiao, W hitiwhikora, ka pai. Tv ana a Uenuku c karakia ana i tana karakia i a Tuhokiki-te-rangi a whiowhio, ko Tuhokiki-te-rangi a newa newa kapai. Matariki, Tautoru, Tawera te whetu taki ata ka pai, takiri mai te ata, korihi te inanu, tino awatea, ka ao te ra ka pai. Tokona te he iaue te Ariki, c te atiia ka pai, tena purutia to iwi, te hiki oto wae ka pai. He we vi ruia ki a Papa-tu-a-nuku ka pai, ko te iwi to ahurewa rire hau.