G.—l

2

No. 3. Mr. J. S. Clendon, R.M., Whangarei, to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sir,— Resident Magistrate's Office, Whangarei, 24th April, 1886. I have the honour, as requested by your letter of the 24th March ultimo, to report, for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister, that the Natives throughout the districts under my charge, comprising Kaipara, Whangarei, and part of the Bay of Islands district, have during the. past year being exceedingly quiet, well-behaved, and law-abiding. No disturbances whatever have occurred amongst them, and but very few instances of crime have taken place. They have chiefly occupied themselves in gum-digging and cultivating their lauds, and have experienced far less sickness during the past year than in the preceding period. Fevers especially have been less prevalent. From the census lately taken it will be seen that the numbers of the Native people on the. whole are about the same as shown in the census returns of 1881, although at some settlements they have perceptibly decreased in numbers. Drunkenness has also steadily decreased among them for some time. The schools have been fairly attended throughout the districts, and the reopening of the Pouto School, with the election of a School Committee, appears to have given great satisfaction, and will lead, without doubt, to beneficial results hereafter, not only in the education of the children, but also in dispelling iv a great measure the former morbid disinclination of the elder people to education, or any advancement beyond their original habits. In conclusion, I beg to express the pleasure I feel at the state of the Natives generally, enabling me to report so favourably of their condition in the district under my supervision. I have, &c, James S. Clendox, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Native Agent.

No. 4. Captain Jackson, R.M., Riizorback, to tho Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Razorback, 21st April, 1880. In accordance with the request contained in your Circular No. 2, of the 24th ultimo, I have the honour to forward my annual report upon the state of the Natives in the district under my charge. Since my last annual report no change of any importance has taken place amongst the Natives, and their condition is much the same as when reported on by me last year. The Natives have behaved in an orderly manner during the past twelve months, and it is satisfactory to note that drunkenness is decreasing amongst them. In the Police Courts two Natives have been committed for trial on charges of cattlestealing, two have been convicted summarily of larceny, and two of drunkenness. There have been nine civil cases heard in the Resident Magistrate's Courts, two in which Natives were plaintiff's and Europeans defendants, six in which Europeans were plaintiffs and Natives defendants, and -one in which both parties w rere Natives. The Native crops have in some parts of the district been good, and in others a failure. The Natives on the West Coast, from Manukau Heads to Port Waikato, have had very poor crops : a few-of them have grown sufficient for their own consumption, but the greater number have not. The potato crops have been very poor. Not more than two or three families remain constantly on their land; the rest wanner about and employ themselves digging kauri-gum, cutting flax, and a few work in flax- and saw-mills. I find from inquiries there have been no deaths, and little or no sickness amongst them. No Native children attend school in this part of my district: the parents say they are waiting until a Native school is opened. The Natives at the settlements of Tuakau, Mercer, and Kohekohc, situated on the "Waikato River, have grown sufficient for their own consumption, but have had no surplus for sale. The potato crop in this part of the district has, on the whole, been good. Potatoes, watermelons, pumpkins, and oats have been cultivated. The Natives at Kohekohe reside on their lands ; the rest wander about and employ themselves cutting flax, timber, digging kaurigum, and a few are employed in swamp-work. Twenty-nine have died during the past twelve months, and several are now suffering from sickness. Six Native children attend district schools—two at Churchill, three at Tuakau, and one at Mercer. The Natives residing at the settlements of Wairoa South and Maraetai have not grown sufficient food for their own consumption. Their crops have been poor, especially the potatoes at Wairoa South. The crops consisted of potatoes and maize; at Maraetai of potatoes only. These Natives support themselves digging gum, and have no other occupation. They have no sickness amongst them at present, and all seem to have recovered from the disease I reported upon last year. Five Natives have died at Wairoa South during the past twelve months—three from measles, and two from chest-diseases; at Maraetai none have died, and two children attend the district school at this place. At Papakura there are about sixty non-resident Natives digging gum, and they are making good wages. They come from Whatawhata, Kawhia, Huntly, Mercer, and Muapaia. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Thomas Jackson.