4

G.—l.

Enclosure in No. 5. Sir, — Helensville, Kaipara, 16th May, 1878. It is my pleasing duty to report that the Natives in this district are well-disposed, quiet, and loyal, and live on good terms with the European settlers. They have sold and leased a considerable quantity of their land, and live chiefly upon the proceeds of these sales and least's, so much so that they are not so industrious as in former times, and their cultivations are consequently much neglected. It would be well if some measure could be introduced to prevent the indiscriminate sale of spirits, as a great deal of intemperance prevails amongst them. I have no criminal cases of any importance to record. A few cases of petty larceny have occurred. A census was taken in 1866, showing that the Native population amounted to about 600 souls. The present census, which I have had the honor to transmit to you, and which was very carefully taken, shows an increase of some 300, but I imagine that it was not so easy then as at present to compute their numbers ; and that the former census was considerably below the mark, as, in my opinion, the Natives are decreasing in this district: many deaths from low fever, measles, &c, have occurred lately. As regards education, I am happy to be able to report that the school at Tanoa is in a flourishing condition, under the able management of Mr. Haszard. When I last examined the scholars, I found them very forward in reading and writing, and especially in geography. The buildings are in a good state of preservation. I recommend that a Maori matron be appointed to take charge of the children sent from a distance, which would be the means of greatly increasing the number of scholars. The school at Kaihu is progressing favourably; it has hardly had time to become fairly established. Mr. Baker is very zealous in the performance of his duties. There is also at Woodhill, near Helensville, a mixed school, which is making rapid progress under Mr. Fosbrooke, who is indefatigable in the performance of his duties. Many meetings have been held in the district to discuss matters connected with the sale of land, &c, at Otamatea. Some extraordinary resolutions were passed by the Ngatiwhatua and Uriohau tribes, of a very sweeping nature, and forwarded to the Government. I have reason to believe that these were prompted by Europeans who were desirous of bringing about a change in the mode of purchasing Native land, and in the administration of Native affairs. The acquisition by the Government of certain blocks in the Wairoa—viz., Maunganui and Waipaoa, &c.—has been of much benefit to the district by opening up the road to Hokianga, and has also had the effect of setting at rest the feud of long-standing between the Parore and Uriohau tribes. The intercourse between these up-river Natives and the Europeans is of a very friendly nature, and many of them are engaged in the timber trade. Communication has been opened up by steamer between Kaihu and Tirarau's settlement, from which a road is nearly completed to Whangarei, which will be of great benefit to the district. In conclusion, I may report that the Kaipara District is in a very prosperous condition. The opening of the railroad from Riverhead to Helensville, with a bi-weekly steamer to Wairoa and another to Albertland and Otamatea, has greatly conduced to the benefit of both Europeans and Natives, while the timber and kauri-gum trade affords employment for very many. The absence of the same amount of cultivation which used to exist at the various settlements is the only drawback to the prosperity of the district. I may add that the Natives are in possession of many horses and cattle, and are much improved as to cleanliness of dress and mode of living. My clerk (Mr. Clendon) has been of great assistance to me, and is a zealous and deserving officer. He has been the means of settling many small disputes between Europeans and Natives during my absence on duties connected with the Native Land Court, and has been mainly instrumental in taking the census, which has been done in a very able and comprehensive manner. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, John Jermyn Symonds, Wellington. Resident Magistrate, Kaipara District.

No. 6. Mr. H. T. Kemp, Civil Commissioner, Auckland, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Civil Commissioner's Office, Auckland, 12tli May, 1878. In answer to your circular, requesting a report on the state of the Natives in this district, I have the pleasure to say that, although no marked advance has taken place since I had the honor of addressing you last, the general deportment of the Natives has been quiet and peaceable, with a disposition decidedly in favour of abiding by, or, to use their own more familiar phrase, " listening to and obeying the law." In this respect alone, a point of no small advantage has, I think, been gained, whether it be received in connection with the administration of justice generally or as applied to their own social welfare and improvement. 2. The census now completed, while on the one hand it does not show an increase in the population of the district, does not, on the other side, indicate a perceptible diminution, notwithstanding their improvident and otherwise indolent and irregular habits.