G.—l
12
leaving their horses which had been seized; but after they had gone, their horses were sent after them and delivered up to them. It is, however, only fair to state that the injudicious and rash procedure of the party, on arriving at Parihaka, was said to have been the cause of the treatment they received. For a long time previous to last November, and up to the time of his capture, Hiroki was a prominent character at all the meetings at Parihaka, and received that consideration which anyone in any community of people would receive who was looked upon as a hero. During all the movements for the obstruction of the road work and fencing surveyed land, the precaution was used of keeping Hiroki at Parihaka. Criminals of different grades have from time to time taken shelter at Parihaka, and native offenders generally regarded the place as a refuge of safety. In October, 1880, the Government came to a decision to make a trial of releasing, by instalments, the natives who had been arrested and sent to the gaols of Dunedin, Lyttelton, and Hokitika. The first lot was released from the Dunedin Gaol in October, 1880 ; the second lot from the Dunedin and Lyttelton Gaols in January, 1881 ; the third lot in May, 1881, from Dunedin and Lyttelton Gaols; the fourth lot from Lyttelton in June, 1881 ; and the fifth, and last, lot from Hokitika in the latter part of the same month. I myself was called upon to undertake the service, in the first four cases, of going for the prisoners, and taking them to such places as was decided on for their release. Two lots were landed at Opunake and released, and three lots at New Plymouth. This service was performed to the satisfaction of the Government, and no unsatisfactory result was produced, nor any interference on the part of the released prisoners, except their joining in the movement of fencing and planting land which had been surveyed for sale, and. thereby swelling the number of natives much beyond the number of Armed Constabulary available to be sent against them, when it was deemed advisable to leave the question in abeyance till such time as the Government was prepared to deal effectually with it. I have no doubt in my own mind that this relaxation for the time was the cause of Te Whiti's large talk at the September meeting, thinking the Government had withdrawn from the contest, and that he had achieved another victory without violence, which he followed up by giving instructions in figurative language which most probably he never intended should be put in execution ; but Te Whiti's device on this occasion produced the very opposite effect to that he intended. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. E. Parris.
No. 12. E. Waed, Esq., E.M., to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sik, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Wanganui, 25th May, 1882. I have the honor again to report on the state of the natives in the Eangitikei, Manawatu, and Otaki Districts. I think I may say on the whole they continue to improve in their social condition. During the past year, there have been comparatively few convicted of serious offences. As a rule drunkenness is looked upon by them as a condition in which a man should be ashamed to be found. In religious matters, there is some improvement; but I fear not much. They still have a very strong desire that Parliament will give their Eunangas or Arbitration Courts an authorized jurisdiction to deal with and determine their minor differences and offences. I regret to say they are doing next to nothing in the way of educating their children. I think I may say very few of the rising generation can read or write ; not so their parents, who were taught by the missionaries, as very many of them can both read and write fairly well. I think it is to be regretted that very few Maoris appear to know useful trades. I only know of two; they are carpenters, and are said to be good tradesmen. It seems to me the natives are gradually alienating their land, and in the course of a few years, excepting their reserves, will have nothing to live upon but their manual labour. I think if they could be taught useful trades, their social condition would be much improved. They would build better dwellinghouses, and in many ways assimilate with Europeans and lose many of their old Maori customs, which retard their being a civilized people. As a people, they are not wanting in intelligence, but in civilization. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Eobeet Waed, E.M.
No. 13. E. S. Maunsell, Esq., to the Undeb-Seceetaey, Native Department. Sir, — Greytown, Wairarapa, 9th May, 1882. I have the honor to report on the state of the Maoris during the past year in this district. They continue well hehaved and orderly, and are generally progressing towards a better condition, being more dependent on their own exertions than on Government aid. The census taken during the past year shows the population at 744. I estimate their numbers at about 800 residents. It is impossible to get an exact census on account of their migratory habits and reluctance in giving information as to names, &c, through suspicion of the motive of the Government. In my last report I referred to their belief in prophets, and consequent meetings held by them, resulting in reckless prodigality. Paora, their supposed prophet, has since died, and Te Whiti has been arrested ; their infatuation therefore has ceased. "What mental aberrations they may hereafter develope remains to be seen. Ido not think they will relapse to the same extent, for the privations they have suffered, owing to waste of their means at their past meetings, will act as a deterrent for the future.