G.—2a

12

and honorably entertain their numerous guests. Carts, horses, ploughs, and, above all, that which I felt most, the cows even in milk were sold in order to get money for the purpose I state above. I have taken a great deal of trouble to prevail on the Native fathers to provide cows in milk for the purpose of rearing their younger children. I am persuaded a great deal of the infant mortality amongst the Maoris is owing to this great want. I was much struck with the fewness of children accompanying their parents in the procession (Titokowaru's peace procession to Patea and Pukearuhe), which amounted in round numbers to two thousand people. I don't think there were more than fifty children. I asked if the little ones had been left at home, and was surprised to hear of the very few that had been so. I regret to have to come to the conclusion, that, owing to Parihaka being abandoned, the little ones have fared badly; and the rising generation amongst the Maoris is again on the decline. I remember, about two years ago, being very forcibly struck with the number of well-kept children to be seen daily in the Parihaka pah. However, now that most of the Natives have returned their new kiangas, let us hope that their parents will look better after them, and till the soil, giving up their feasting and wandering. lam sure that on this coast this winter will prove a severe famine, owing to this raiding buisness, and I only hope Government will not be called upon to supply provisions for the starving. In conclusion, I may sum up my own conclusions on the subject of the Maori sanitary conditions, and point out what I would suggest to ameliorate their defects. 1. That it is a matter for congratulation for us to notice the gradual decrease of large pahs and the formation of small Native settlements on individualised lands. In the whole Native district under my medical charge there does not exist a large pah, except Parihaka, worth mentioning. 2. The clothing, food, and mode of living is much improved. 3. The dwellings of the Natives are improving. 4. Sickness has decreased; syphilis, skin diseases, alcoholism, and their kindred diseases being the most noticeable. Whooping cough is now the prevailing disease amongst old and young. 5. The improvident expenditure occasioned by large numbers of Natives going round visiting and consuming the much-needed winter supply of food—driving their hosts to beg and borrow for the purpose of entertaining them —the ultimate result being probably a famine, or recourse to Government aid. 6. That dogs should be kept on when required, and not permitted to enter the'masters' dwellings. The dog tax should apply to Native dogs. 7. That Government should legislate once and for ever with regard to Native liquor traffic. (a) Assimilate it to our own European law, and do away with any previous Act in contradistinction ; or, (b) Let the Natives be prevented entering our public-houses on any pretext, fining both publican and sinner. I need not point out which law finds greater favour in my mind. I have, &c, P. J. O'Carroll, M.D., L.R.C.P., L, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Native Surgeon.

No. 14. Dr. Bedford, Kaikoura, to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. (No. 85/1712.) Sir, — Beach Road, Kaikdura, 15th May, 1885. I have the honour to enclose a sanitary report on the Natives of this district. I have, &c, Robert Bedford, The Under-Secretary, Native Office. Native Medical Officer. Sanitary Report on the Maoris in the Kaikoura District. Site of Houses, Cubic Capacity, Ventilation, <kc. The Maori inhabitants of this district are settled principally at the pah. A few families have houses near the town, and some members of the community pass a portion of the year on the Maori land near the boat harbour. The pah is about eight miles from the town of Kaikoura, on the north track, and seventeen miles further in the same direction are a few huts. The Boat Harbour Settlement is about twenty miles south ; and all are within a few hundred yards of the sea. The subsoil at each site is either sand or stone, covered with a varying quantity of alluvial drift. In the northern settlements, the huts are grouped together; at the southern, they are scattered. In both situations there is a general similarity in their structure. The walls are made of interlaced saplings plastered with clay ; the roofs, of manuka bark and rushes, either tied or weighted down ; the floor is of clay, and a short cobbed chimney carries off the smoke. With the assistance of natural ventilation only, 800 entire feet of air-space may be accepted as a medium allowance, which it is never prudent to diminish. This would require a change equal to three times an hour, to yield an atmosphere not injuriously impure. Accepting this as the standard for a healthy adult, the deficiency at the pah is apparent. In one hut the air space is only 200 feet for each occupant. Such an atmosphere would require changing at least fourteen times an hour. In two other huts that I measured, the air-space was on a similarly scanty scale. To renew the air in such limited spaces, so as to make an atmosphere that may be breathed with comparative safety, carefully applied methods of artificial ventilation would be required. There is no provision for systematic ventilation. The gaseous impurities of respiration are slowly removed by diffusion through chinks and crannies, and through the chimney. The huts are small, and it