7

G.--4

The " Great Native Committee" still sits at Ohinemutu,to hear land claims,but they get through but little business. The Natives in this district continue anxious to work on roads for the Government. They have performed a good deal of labour on the Eotorua and Tauranga Eoad, and the Eotorua and Maketu Eoad; they are also shortly to commence other works of a similar nature. The flour-mills at Te Ngae and Eotoiti have been put in repair, assisted to some extent with Government money. The Natives promise to put iv large quantities of wheat this year, to grind in them : time will show whether they do so. During the year a new school has been erected at Ohinemutu, at which over seventy Native children now attend, besides a few European. There are also five other Native schools in this district, which continue to afford the rudiments of education to a considerable number of the Native youth. I have visited each from time to time, and append for your information a tabular statement showing the attendance. I may mention that at each of these schools a supply of simple medicines has been placed by Government for the use of the Natives, and which provision is much valued by them. 3. Opotiki District. I have visited the Opotiki District twice during the past year, but no question of importance has arisen to oblige me to go there more frequently. The Native population there continue exceptionally industrious and law-abiding. The flour-mill belonging to the Ngatiawa Tribe at Whakatane, to the cost of which the Government contributed, is now nearly completed. There are five Native schools now in operation in this district, including a new one at Waiotahi, and they continue to be well attended and successful. In conclusion, Sir, I may remark that, except in matters affecting their lands, which still cause frequent quarrels, the Maoris in the Bay of Plenty now give but little trouble to Government. Crime is not unknown amongst them, but when detected it is punished by the ordinary laws, which are respected and supported by the bulk of the Native population. I have, &c, Herbert W. Brabakt, E.M., The Fnder-Secretary, Native Department, Native Officer, Bay of Plenty. Wellington.

Native Schools, Bay of Plenty District. Abstract showing Attendance from 1st July, 1879, to 31st March, 1880.

No. 9. Mr. B. S. Bttsh, E.M., Opotiki, to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sic, — Eesident Magistrate's Office, Opotiki, 30th April, 1880. In reply to your circular of March 16th, I have the honor to forward the usual annual report on Native matters in this district. Condition of the Natives. Since my arrival here, on the 22nd of February, I have visited nearly the whole of the Natives of the district, except the Urewera, at their own settlements. The Urewera I saw at the meeting held at Whakatane on Good Friday : nearly the whole of this tribe were present on that occasion, even those from Maungapovvhatu and Waikaremoana. The object of the meeting was a discussion as to the ownership of a block of land called Eaungaihe, situated between the "Whakatane and Eangitaiki Elvers.

No. j Name of School. No. >n the ioolts. Avera; ;e Attendance. Dec. March Qr. Qr. I Remarks. Sept. Qr. Dec. Qr. March Qr. Sept. Qr. 1 ! Maketu 34 53 55 11 21 Eight European children included. 18 2 | Matata 3 ' Ohinemutu ... 4 . Te Awahou ... 5 ! Te Wairoa (Tarawera) 6 : Eotoiti 7 ] Whakatane ... 35 44 49 80 19 40 41 26 23 31 40 40 10 22 28 13 17 43 24 47 17 48 25 38 10 26 15 23 10 25 9 19 Opened January, 1880. Five European children included. Opened October, 1879. i 22 30 29 25 12 28 29 30 25 10 16 23 25 19 11 20 25 26 19 9 8 I Waiotahi ... 9 s Torere 10 j Omaio 11 ! TeKaha ... 12 Native boarding-house attached to district school at Tauranga 35 30 29 12 22 26 19 10 Totals... 306 343 432 185 209 270