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9

G.—4

The former is a road through the swamp which, when completed, will much shorten the distance to Te Teko. The Ngatipukeko Natives who are employed on this road are now cutting drains. When they have completed this they are to lay down 50 chains of fascines. The Eaukokore and Kaha Eoad was made by the Natives residing at those places. The cost of this work comes out of the grant to the Wai'kana Hiding, County of Whakatane. The road is a decided improvement upon the old track, which was a dreadfully rough one. It must not be understood, because this is termed a road, that it is anything more than a 4-foot or 5-foot bridle-track. Remarks. I regret that, owing to my only just having taken over charge of this district, I am unable to write as interesting a report as I would like to have done. So far as I have seen of the Natives —and I think I may say I have seen the majority of them —-I am inclined to think that they are as fair and tractable a portion of their race as I have had any dealings with, except perhaps the Urewera. The whole of these people are apparently men of peace, so far as we are concerned, although occasionally there are slight excitements taking place amongst themselves with respect to inter-tribal land boundaries. I have, however, had no difficulty at present in adjusting these differences, differences which are bound to occur throughout the country for years to come. The Native officers who have been reduced and dispensed with have taken their reductions and dismissals in good part, without any grumbling. There are a few who reside about Eangitaiki and Kokohinau whom I have not seen since their reductions were intimated to them. I have, however, seen the majority of them. Trusting that next year I shall be able to furnish a fuller and more interesting report than I have on this occasion, I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. E. S. Bush, E.M,

No. 10. Mr. E. S. Bush, E.M, Opotiki, to the Undek-Secretaey, Native Department. Sir,— Eesident Magistrate's Office, Opotiki, 27th April, 1880, I have the honor to report for your information that I proceeded to the Kaha, Eaukokore, and intermediate places on the 20th instant, returniug from the same early on the 24th instant. At Omarumutu, Torere, Maraenui, Omaio, Te Kaha, and Eaukokore, I found the Natives busily engaged harvesting their crops. At all these settlements the Natives appeared to have an excellent crop of kumaras. The maize crops at the different settlements looked well, and are extensive. One storekeeper at the Kaha alone has purchased from the Natives resident <£800 worth of wheat this season, the price given being ss. per bushel, which represents 3,800 bushels of wheat. Wheat does ' not seem to have been cultivated largely at either of the other places. The maize crops when sold will probably realize a great deal more than the wheat. These Natives are not so well off as they might be, owing to their living on credit until the harvest comes in, when nearly the whole of their produce is taken up to pay their debts. The Kaha people have been great drinkers of spirits, but I understand there is a decided improvement this year. These people in particular ought to be well off, if they were only more thrifty in their habits. They seem most industrious. It is a pleasure to relate that along the whole Coast there does not seem to be any grievance of importance amongst the Natives. One or two, however, are a little troubled about some of the surveys now being carried on between the Motu Eiver and Poverty Bay. The Kaha and Eaukokore Natives have much improved the road from Te Kaha to the latter place: still, the road is a very rough one, and in the winter months will prove anything but a pleasant journey. There is apparently more sickness amongst these Natives than has been the case for some time, there being Natives ill at most of the settlements enumerated ; the disease seems to be a kind of low fever. Upon arrival at Torere on my way home, I found Wirernu Kingi's daughter had just died: she seems to have succumbed to consumption. Her death, however, was not unexpected, as she had been under medical treatment here for a considerable time. This was my first visit to this portion of my district and my acquaintance with most of the Natives. From what I saw of them I am inclined to think that they are an average well-conducted section of the Native race. I trust upon further acquaintance I shall be able to incline to my present opinion of them. I would add that lam informed that at nearly all these settlements there are a few adherents to Te Kooti's form of prayer, but the majority of the Natives are of our religion. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. E. S. Bush, E.M.

No. 11. Captain Pbeece, E.M., to the Undee-Secbetaey, Native Department. Sib,— Napier, 12 th May, 1880. In accordance with the instructions contained in your circular of the 16th of March last, No. 1, I have the honor to forward, for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister, the following annual report on the state of the Natives in the Opotiki District: — Industrial Pursuits. The Natives in this district maintain their character for industry. During the spring of the year some Government land purchases were being negotiated; the Natives did not allow these matters to keep them from their work; they merely attended on the days the money was to be paid, and returned to their ordinary employment immediately after it was divided. At Wnakatane the Ngatiawa 2— G. 4.

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