G.— l

1882. NEW ZEALAND.

REPORTS FROM OFFICERS IN NATIVE DISTRICTS. [In continuation of G.—8, 1881.]

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. 4.) Sir,— Native Office, Wellington, 12th April, 1882. I have the honor by direction of the Native Minister to request that you will be good enough to forward at your earliest convenience, but not later than the 31st proximo, the usual annual report upon the state of the natives in your district for presentation to Parliament. I have, &c, T. W. Lewis, Under-Secretary.

No. 2. George Kelly, Esq., Mangonui, to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Eesident Magistrate's Office, Mangonui, 19th May, 1882. I have the honor to submit the following report upon native affairs in this district. During the past year nothing worthy of note has transpired to disturb the usual serenity of the district. The natives are still as loyal and submissive to the law as ever, with this exception perhaps, that they have lately very freely expressed their general dissatisfaction at the prohibition of sale of spirits to natives under the new Licensing Act, which they view as a restriction upon their liberty, pointing to the fact that natives and Europeans are not under one law, as they so often hear repeated from the Judicial Bench. The sobriety of the natives in this district could hardly be surpassed. It is a thing of rare occurrence to see a native the worse of liquor. Although they avail themselves to a great extent of the accommodation hotels afford, yet they have learned to use these advantages without abusing them. The crops in the district have on the whole been good. When not engaged on their cultivations the natives find pretty constant employment gum-digging, road-making, and at the timber trade. The Omahuta gum field (a new gum field thrown open last summer), on the borders of the Holdanga County, has attracted large numbers of natives from all parts of the district; and although a plentiful supply of gum has been their reward, it has not been beneficial to this district, nor to the natives them 7 selves, as they have neglected their cultivations, and the difficulties they find in getting the gum to a seaport are so great that they rob the industry of its lucrative advantages. The morals of the people have much improved. This is, I think, owing to our native school system, not perhaps so much due to the effect of education upon the young, as that produced by the example and influence of an excellent class of teachers. The general health of the district has been good. I think I may safely say above the average. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Geo. Kelly.

No. 3. S. yon Stunner, Esq., E.M., Holdanga, to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Eesident Magistrate's Office, Holdanga, 28th April, 1882. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular letter, No. 4, 12th April, 1882, requesting me to forward my usual annual report upon the state of the natives in this district, for presentation to Parliament, and now heg to forward the report herewith. I have, &c, Spencer yon Sturmeb, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, "Wellington. Eesident Magistrate. G. I.—l.