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ment abroad. They have been unusually healthy, few deaths having occurred amongst them during the period. Their behaviour has been uniformly quiet and good, but one instance of crime having been committed and two cases of road obstruction, of the particulars of which the Government have already been informed. The schools have been fairly attended, and some progress made by the scholars; but the apathy and indifference of the parents generally in enforcing their children's regular attendance at school render the advancement of the scholars more uncertain, and at the same time cause^far more anxiety and trouble to their teachers. In the Whangarei District the Natives have employed themselves in their usual gum-digging and cultivating operations, and, with the exception of one case of road obstruction, their behaviour during the past year has been most orderly, no instances of crime having occurred amongst them. They have suffered slightly from typhoid fever, chiefly engendered from living in swampy and unhealthy localities whilst gum-digging in the winter. Several deaths have occurred from this cause in the Mangakahia portion of the district, and two near Whangarei— with exception of the latter, chiefly of children. The Ngunguru School has been fairly attended, and the scholars are progressing favourably. In the portion of the Bay of Islands Dish'ict under my charge the Natives have, during the past year, behaved exceedingly well, only two instances of crime having taken place. They have employed themselves in gum-digging, cultivation, and pastoral pursuits. Their health has been exceptionally good, few instances of sickness having occurred. The schools have been fairly attended; but, for the reasons above stated, a proportionate advancement in the pupils has not taken place. I feel much pleasure at being in a position to report so favourably of the large Native district under my supervision. I have, &c., James S. Clenbon, The Under-Secrctary, Native Department, Wellington. Resident Magistrate.

No. 5. G. T. Wilkinson, Esq., Alexandra, to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Native Office, Alexandra, 14th May, 1884. In accordance with instructions contained in your Circular No. 3, of the 9th ultimo, I have the honour to forward my annual report on the state of the Natives in my districts. Waikato (including Kawiiia, Waipa, and Upper Mokau). I am glad to be able to report favourably upon the Natives in this district during the past year, both in a general and also in a particular sense. In a general sense, because, the district being such a large one, and the Natives in it so numerous, it would be only natural to expect that, whilst the thoughts and actions of some were of the best, those of others would be of the very opposite character. This, however, has not been the case, and, taking the district all through— viz., from Auckland to Mokau, and from Kawhia across to the boundaries of Rotorua and Taupo—l think lam jnstified in saying that the large number of Natives within those boundaries (consisting as they do of different tribes, having different politics and different religions) have, with one or two exceptions, conducted themselves in a most creditable manner during the past twelve months. In a particular sense, because the action of a certain section of them (the Ngatimaniapoto) with regard to the dealing with the land, coupled with the progressive policy of the Government during the past year, has been of such a nature as to bring out any real bad feeling and desire to obstruct, had it existed to any large extent within tho breasts of the others, especially of those who are more or less supporters of Tawhiao, and who naturally dislike and look with suspicion upon anything that is likely to weaken his power and authority in this district. This, however, has only been the case in one or two instances, and those of a slight nature, the very slightness of which goes to show that, although Tawhiao and his people are opposed to us in the policy that is now being carried out, they are not prepared to go to any very great lengths with their opposition. There are, I think, two reasons for this action of theirs, one of which is fear of the result as regards themselves : but another is—and it is very creditable to them—that they are determined to bring about, if possible, the end they desire without breaking the law, stirring up strife, or coming into conflict with the Europeans. I think it will be readily admitted that this action is very creditable to them, especially when we consider that in so doing they are indirectly assisting us in bringing about a state of affairs that must eventually end in the breaking-up of their long-cherished " King movement" and claim for independent authority for Tawhiao as King over a territory which is not his by Native right, but which is owned by a people who, although once his supporters, will not now recognize or tolerate him. Knowing this, as they do, it shows that some strange influence or infatuation must be at work in their breasts to not only restrain them from breaking thc-Jaw; but actually to induce them to look on with complaisance, and apparently submit with a good grace to what is certain to result in their political downfall. Without going further into this matter at present, I will here remark that the Natives throughout this district have shown a considerable amount of industry during the past