15

G.—4

and I have all along advised them to sell portions of their surplus lands, and retain in perpetuo ample and goodly portions thereof for themselves and their posterity, feeling sure that by such policy the interests of both races will be permanently secured. Failing this, one or other of the extreme plans is bound to be adopted, to the injury and loss of all parties. In any case, as time rolls on, the rising generation of Maoridom are not likely to allow their ample domains to remain in the wilderness state, but will be only too ready to dispose of a large part thereof, so as to let in the advancing tide of European settlement and improvement, whereby they may, if they take the right course, raise themselves in the scale of civilization, and become an independent and well-to-do race. The sooner the Maori makes up his mind to adopt this course the better for him, for the want of some definite plan of action in this business keeps them most unsettled, and leads to much loss of time and dissipation of means through the agitation kept up on this all-absorbing topic, which, iv a manner not satisfactory, vents itself at tho frequent meetings held all over the country to discuss this burning subject. In the matter of surveys and ascertainment of title, much delay is caused by the want of unanimity upon the question of a speedy reference of their land disputes to the duly-constituted Courts of the colony, whereby the matter of title might for ever be set at rest, and the boundaries and measurements of their tribal and family lands be duly recorded, and a step in advance obtained, whereby their individual claims might thereafter more easily and speedily be defined, and the two races would hold their lands upon the same tenure. The sooner the Maori awakes to the fact that it will be salvation to his race to once and for ever give up the habits and customs of his forefathers, and amalgamate with and adopt the manners and customs of the English, the better will it prove for him and his European neighbours, who will be only too happy to live in peace and quietness with the Maori race in the same country and under one rule. The Act gives every facility for the speedy survey of Maori lands, and the terms made by Government thereupon are most reasonable, and any delay that arises is the fault of the Natives. With reference to the sittings of the Native Land Court at Wanganui, the up-river tribes are most desirous that they should be held at some settlement on the river, away from the town and the publichouses. As far as the local tribes are concerned, it would add much to their convenience and comfort were the Court to sit in their midst, where they could more easily and more cheaply procure food, and obtain house accommodation. Last year the Court sat at Putiki, in Mete's large meeting-house, and he has invited all the river population to take up their quarters there, away from town, next June ; and I trust that the Natives will accept the invitation, and. locate themselves where they will find ample room and some shelter from the winter's cold and rain. With regard to the moral and physical condition of the Natives, I cannot report favourably. Their morals are not likely to improve as long as they adhere to their communistic habits, and live in the unsettled way they do. Their continued adherence to the habits and customs of their progenitors keeps them back, and hinders them from adopting the more refined manners of the European race. Advice and example are alike lost ujjon them, and now the increased desire for strong drink has made •things worse, and has rendered them careless and unconcerned about a matter so vital to their best interests. Any step in advance would prove their salvation, and help to perpetuate the race. In religious matters they cannot be expected to make any progress, seeing that the river population is now deprived of the regular visits of an English missionary, whose example, admonitions, and instructions would be some check upon them, and encourage those of them who try to do their duty to persevere in the right way and lead others to do better. Like many of us, they are but Christians in name and outward profession, and have lost their zeal and earnestness in a cause which alone, if faithfully adhered to, would promote their highest interests in this life and the life to come. There can be no doubt that the Wanganui River is a neglected mission-field, and a great responsibility devolves upon the Church Mission Society for not taking it up and supplying a zealous, able, and active missionary to take charge of and instruct a Maori population of some 2,000, occupying the many settlements of this noble river. Physically, the Maori degenerates, owing to his partial adoption of our food and clothing, and from the increased exposure (the origin of disease) he is subjected to in his frequent visits to town and other parts of the country. When travelling on the river, and squatting on the town foreshore, a calico tent is his only shade and protection from the suu and rain, including the high winds prevailing near the sea, from which he is well sheltered amongst the hills and valleys in the inland districts. The runanga-house and wharepuni is also a main cause of their ailments ; for, from their prolonged stay in its poisoned and heated atmosphere, and sudden exposure outside to the cold, the use of such dwellings is consequently a prolific source of disease. The diet also militates against their physical development; for if they partook of less pork and potatoes, and used more bread and milk and butter, with beef and mutton occasionally, their bodies would derive more nourishment, particularly the children, many of whom die for want of proper food. They have plenty of cattle, and have good mills to grind their wheat; but they are too lazy and indolent to milk their cows regularly, and have ceased to grow enough wheat for their own consumption, preferring to buy flour in town for occasional use. The system of gorging at their many Maori feasts, and subsequent scarcity of food, is another means of weakening and impoverishing their bodily frames. Owing to these and other causes, there can be no doubt that the Maoris are fast decreasing in numbers. The number of births, as recorded, does not exceed that of deaths, and many infants are born and shortly after die, of which no account is given ; the Natives showing much reluctance to give full information on this subject, as they are painfully aware of the fact that they are fast dying out, and that we, who are correspondingly increasing, shall soon possess the land. In reference to agricultural pursuits, no more crops have been raised than necessary for the support of life, and more fruit was brought to town for sale than any other crop. The wheat that has been ground was from old corn-stacks, threshed out this summer; and, whilst the present agitation about their land continues, there will be little if any grain crops raised this season. The Natives are now turning their attention to the depasturing of sheep and cattle, and much of the hillside bordering on the river has been cleared and laid down in grass as food for their increasing flocks,