1

1879. NEW ZEALAND.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS IN NATIVE DISTRICTS.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. The Under Secretary, Native Department, to Officers in Native Districts. (Circular No. 5.) Sir,— Native Office, AVellington, 25th April, 1879. I have the honor, by direction of the Hon. Mr. Sheehan, to request you will be good enough to furnish your annual report upon the state of the Natives in your district, to reach this office if possible not later than the 31st May proximo, in order that it may be printed for the General Assembly. I have, &c, T. W. Lewis, Under Secretary.

No. 2. Mr. G. Kelly, Mangonui, to the Hon. the Native Minister. Sir, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Mangonui, 9th May, 1879. I have the honor to report that the Natives of this district arc, as usual, peaceable and loyal, quietly pursuing their ordinary avocation of kauri-gum-digging and the cultivation of their lauds. The former, lam glad to say, is chiefly carried on during the summer months (as this article is only to be found in this district in payable quantities in swampy lands), thereby preventing a great deal of illness which frequently arises from exposure. There has been great competition for kauri gum lately; consequently the high prices ruling have induced them to return to this mode of living, and the great disadvantages they labour under for want of roads from settlements iv the interior portions of the district prevent their growing more produce than required for their own use : in fact they grow barely enough. On the 7th December last an unusually severe storm occurred at Pukepoto, causing a heavy flood and serious damage to cultivations in that neighbourhood, but the aid of the j£4o you kindly allowed was the means of saving the Natives from great privation, for which they were extremely thankful. Public works have been almost at a standstill in this district. AVith the exception of the few minor works carried on by the Road Boards, nothing has been done: the Natives are chiefly employed at this work, and it is found that they do their work well, even to building culverts and bridges. Great disappointment has been expressed at the road through A rictoria Valley not having been completed: it being little or no advantage to the district in its present state, stopping as it does at the very point where most required. I am very glad to state that habits of intemperance have almost disappeared amongst the Natives within the last two years, and the general health of the district has been good—a very fortunate circumstance, as we are most unfortunately situated in there being no medical man available nearer than Auckland, should he be required. During the summer months that part of the district about Awanui and Kaitaia was visited by scarlet fever, but of a comparatively mild form, very few cases proving fatal. I have been often strongly urged, by both Natives and Europeans, to represent to the Government the advisability of appointing a medical man to this district. lam satisfied that, if the Government could give a salary of £10!) per annum to a medical officer for a few years, if once established, that he would make a good income by general practice, and not require any assistance from the Government. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. George Kelly. I— G. 1.