G.—4.

4

A very much smaller quantity of land has been disposed of than during the previous year, but a great impetus was given a short time since to the gum trade by the rise in price of that article to an extent never before obtained. The prices realized for the gum enabled the Natives to procure all necessary provisions and clothing from the European traders during the winter and spring months, whilst their crops were unavailable. A very small proportion of the land in Kaipara remains unadjudicated by the Native Land Court; consequently there is little cause for dispute amongst the several hapus on that head. The Ngatiwhatua and Uriohau people assembled at the settlement of their principal chief, Paul Tuhaere, at Orakei, in March last, to which delegates had been invited from both the northern and southern tribes. The short time elapsed since the conclusion of the said meeting has not allowed any result to present itself from the expression of opinions of the several chiefs thereat, and nothing whatever has occurred to cast the smallest doubt upon their loyalty and good faith remaining intact. The instances of crime amongst the Natives during the past year have been but few, amounting in all to five. This fact alone shows well for their peaceable and friendly disposition. The TJriohau residing at Otamatea and Pouto are the greatest cultivators —the Ngatiwhatua, living at or near Kaipara proper, seldom raising more than is necessary for their own consumption. The Natives at the Wairoa portion of the district are chiefly of the Ngapuhi Tribe —Parawhau and Rarawa hapus —and are almost constantly at work for the Europeans engaged in the timber trade, at which they earn considerable sums of money. The Native schools in the Kaipara District are, on the whole, fairly attended ; but many obstructions are still experienced by the teachers from the innate indolence and apathy of the parents as regards education. The appointment of a Maori matron at the Tanoa School, Otamatea, has materially increased the attendance —from fifteen to twenty scholars having lately been added to the school roll —thus verifying the recommendation made by Captain Symonds (the then Resident Magistrate) on a former occasion. In conclusion, I would beg to remark that much gratification is felt by the European residents in the district at the friendly relations existing between themselves and the Native population, and which (notwithstanding any minor disputes that may occur between the races) I believe will long continue, and become more firmly cemented as time passes over. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, James S. Clendok, Wellington. Clerk, R.M. Court, Kaipara,

No. 6. Mr. Q-. T. Wilkinson, Native Agent, Thames, to the Undee-Seceetaey, Native Department. Sib,— Native Office, Thames, 29th May, 1880. I have the honor to forward herewith a report on Native affairs in the Thames District for term ending 31st March last, by E. W. Puckey, Esq. I have, &c, GrEOEGE T. WILKINSON, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Native Agent.

Enclosure in No. 6. Mr. E. W. Puckey, late Native Agent, Thames, to the TTndeb-Seceetaey, Native Department. Sib,— Thames, 29th May, 1880. I have the honor, in compliance with your Circular No. 1, of the 16th March, 1880, to report as follows on Native affairs in the Thames District: — Since the date of my last general report, the Pukehange outrage, of which you already possess the minutest details obtainable, took place. I regret to say that no favourable opportunity has yet occurred to arrest the perpetrators. The excitement consequent upon the act of shooting at a white man —the first, I believe, which has ever occurred at the Thames—has died out; but the members of the Ngatihako hapu more immediately connected with Epiha and Pakara, who own to having shot at young Me Williams, keep very much to themselves. In November and December last a good deal of excitement was caused by the survey of a portion of Mr. Alley's property at Hikutaia, over which the Natives claim to have rights with which they never parted. I believe this question is likely at last to be settled. In January last I had occasion to visit Coromandel in connection with the alteration of the telegraph line, as the Natives were troublesome and obstructive. It had been the intention to commence the new line from the Tiki, near Coromandel: as, however, a Native difficulty would in that case have to be faced at once, and the contractors were on the ground, I thought it would be better, as aifording more time to deal with the question, to commence operations from the southern end of new line, where no difficiilty existed. This was done, therefore, and the line successfully completed, the Natives owning the land over which the line passed gladly assisting at a fair rate of remuneration. Ido not consider it necessary, in a general report, to go into the details of delicate negotiations. A tragic occurrence took place about the same time (January) up the Piako River, at the late chief Tarapipipi's settlement. A man of the Ngatihako hapu, being jealous of his wife, killed her and then hung himself. I may add that the woman had laid an information against him about two weeks previously; but the Eesident Magistrate was absent on official duties, and, as it was a Maori case, the Justices of the Peace could not deal with it. As it seemed highly probable that an amicable arrangement would be come to, and as the relations of both desired it, they were allowed to go to Piako, with the result before mentioned. The chief Tukukino came to see the Hon. Mr. Rolleston at Paeroa with respect to the Komata Road difficulty, and for the first time, to my knowledge, gave a Minister his reason for his pertinacious