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Report. Since the date of my last annual report, there is but little change in the state of the natives residing in this district. The native population have been well behaved, law-abiding, and loyal; and drunkenness is not so prevalent as formerly. The health of the people has, on the whole, been good. One chief of rank has died, viz., Eawiri te Tahua, of Whirinaki. He was a man of great influence, which he invariably exerted in the cause of law and order. He was about 72 years of age at the time of his death. The eight native schools in operation in this district are largely attended, and well appreciated by the natives. There is, however, one sore spot in this district, viz., in the neighborhood of Otaua, where owing to inter-tribal' quarrels about land, and other causes, a great deal of ill-feeling has been engendered, and a quarrel may at any time break out, which may seriously affect the peace of the whole district. Up to the present, with the able assistance of Hone Mohi Tawhai, M.H.E., I have been enabled to keep these people from coming to actual fighting; but I have no confidence in settling their quarrel permanently, unless the title to the disputed land is ascertained by some competent Court of Inquiry ; and as Komene Poakatahi, the leader of one of the contending hapus, most persistently objects to a survey being made, this desirable object seems difficult of attainment. Until this matter is satisfactorily settled, it will continue to be a source of great anxiety to me. Spenceb yon Stunner, Eesident Magistrate.

No. 4. J. S. Clendon, Esq., E.M., to the Undeh-Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Eesident Magistrate's Office, Whangarei, 15th May, 1882. In accordance with the request contained in your letter of the 12th April last, I have thehonor to report, for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister, that the orderly and peaceable state of the natives throughout the large district under my charge leaves me little room for comment beyond a few remarks. Pew instances of crime have occurred amongst them during the past year, and drunkenness has materially decreased. The schools are fairly attended, an evident desire for their children's education having become more visible at many of the settlements in the district. There are no unsettled disputes amongst them of any consequence (save that at Otamatea between Mr. Fitzgerald and Hemana Whiti, the circumstances of which the Government have been already fully informed), and they appear to be more amicably disposed in all ways towards Europeans and amongst themselves than during the preceding year. They are chiefly engaged in gum digging, squaring timber, and in attending to their cultivations. The comparatively small sales of land, they have been enabled to effect during the past year has doubtless, in a great measure, forced them to become more industrious than when they were partly dependent upon the disposal of their property to obtain means of subsistence. Their general health has also been good. Beyond a few cases of fever they have not suffered from any disease. I feel much pleasure in being in a position to report so favorably upon the state of the native population within the large district under my charge. I have, &c, James S. Clendon, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Eesident Magistrate.

No. 5. T. Jackson, Esq., E.M., to the Under-Seobetary, Native Department. Sik, — Eazorbaok, 16th May, 1882. I have the honor, in compliance with instructions contained in Circular No. 4, of the 12th April, 1882, to furnish for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister my annual report upon native affairs in my district. The natives during the past twelve months have conducted themselves in a quiet, orderly manner, and no native during that period has been charged before me with drunkenness, which is a great contrast to the number who were convicted of that offence during former years. There have been about thirty civil cases during the year, in ■which one or both parties have been natives. There are no native schools in the district, and only three native children attend public schools. The native crops have been sufficient for their own wants ; they have had no surplus for sale. Those living on the Waikato river employ themselves cutting flax, which they sell at the flax mills. Natives have been vaccinated at the expense of the New Zealand Government; most of them object to undergo the operation, and not more than one hundred and fifty have been successfully vaccinated in my district. Since my last annual report nothing of interest has taken place relating to natives. Hori Kingi te Whetuki died on the 23rd of March last, at his settlement, Maraetai, near Wairoa South. He was an assessor in receipt of a salary of forty pounds a year. I am, &c, Thomas Jackson, E.M., The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Papakura and Waiuku Districts. Wellington.