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The frequent committee meetings, to which I referred in my last report, are not now held. These have dwindled down to mere desultory controversies at their several kaingas. The action recently taken by Government to suppress the acts of Te Whiti's people did not cause much interest or comment, except in one or two instances. The stand for so long taken by a section of the King party, and those who lately professed " Hauhauism," against the Native Land Court is being relinquished. Large blocks of land are now being surveyed and brought under the operation of the Native Land Act. This I take to be a decided indication of abandonment of their past opposition. Vaccination of Maoris has been proceeded with, but only about 330 submitted themselves to the operation. The medical attendant reports great difficulty in inducing them to meet or come to him for the purpose. The Native Reserve grievances—that is to say, the complaints against non-settlement of the ownerships, and non-issue of Crown grants—still exist. A party of the Ngatiporou tribe from Poverty Bay have been for the last six months engaged in elaborately carving huge totara slabs for a large meeting house at Papawai. It is said that its erection will occupy them about eighteen months, and is to eclipse in its carving and ornamental designs all other similar edifices in New Zealand. Maoris express a wish to have their children taught by a teacher to be appointed by Government. Admission to public schools is refused them, except in one or two instances ; this is owing to the objection European parents have to Maoris (who are filthy in their dress and habits) having contact with their children. Maori children are intelligent, and it appears unjust that no opportunity is afforded them for primary education. The questions which have been in dispute for so many years past between the Government and Maoris have been for the most part satisfactorily adjusted. There yet remain other questions to be dealt with—the Wairarapa Lake being the most important, in a public point of view. This cannot be settled until the Native Land Court hears the claims of the opponents to the sale to the Crown. As my tenure of office will shortly terminate, my successor will receive any assistance he may require from me in completing these matters. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. E. S. Maunsell.

No. 14. S. Deighton, Esq., E.M., Chatham Islands, to the Undek-Secretary, Native Department. Sib, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Waitangi, Chatham Islands, 25th May, 1882. In answer to your circular of 12th April last, I beg to forward my report of the natives of this district. I have very little, however, to say, as things are much in the same state as they were last year. The breaking up of the Parihaka meetings, and the imprisonment of Te Whiti, seems to have caused very little excitement among the natives here, —in fact, I very rarely hear the subject mentioned now in any way. There have been a few arrivals from different parts of New Zealand during the last twelve months. I have to report very little sickness among the natives. I have vaccinated about fifty-six, but ran out of my supply of lymph owing to my going to New Zealand on leave. lam expecting, however, a fresh supply by next mail, when I shall finish the remainder. A Bay Whaling Company has been just formed here, the crews consisting of Maoris and halfcastes. The bulk, however, of the natives are busily at work fencing and planting. Since writing the above, I called a meeting of the natives at the request of Mr. Robertson, Government Surveyor, who has been sent down here to lay off roads through the island. They were very sore on the subject, and declined to have anything to say in the matter, as they were not previously consulted about it. I do not look upon it as a matter of mnch importance, however, and am inclined to think they have been incited by a European. Ido not state this as a positive fact, as I have no certain proof. Ido not consider the affair of sufficient importance to make a separate report to Government; but if anything fresh occurs, I shall do so. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. S. Deighton, R.M.

Authority : George Didsbuey, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB2.