G.— l2

4

this brings on severe colds, often ending in consumption and death. Drinking habits I am pleased to say are not nearly so prevalent as in former years ; this I believe is having a beneficial effect on their general health. Want of means wherewith to purchase liquor in large quantities may have had something to do with this improvement, but not altogether, as many have given Wp the habit from seeing its baneful effect on the health and morals of the people. I have, &c., J. H. Greenway, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Clerk of Court.

No. 5. Mr. J. S. Clendon, R.M., Whangarei, to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sir,— Resident Magistrate's Court, Whangarei, 26th March, 1886. In accordance with your circular of the 30th December, 1885, requesting a report in connection with the Maori census, I have the honour to forward the returns of Helensville, Rodney, Hobson, and W rhangarei Counties, showing an aggregate number of 1,771 in 1886 as against 1,734 persons in 1881, being an increase of 37. I also enclose a comparative return showing the number at each settlement in 1881 and 1886 respectively. The nomadic habits of the Natives have caused a great difficulty in computing the numbers in each county as relative to the census formerly taken in the Whangarei and Kaipara Resident Magistrates' Districts. The return will show the number of persons included in the Bay of Islands and Auckland Districts in 1881, but are now enumerated in the Whangarei and Waitemata Counties; and also exhibits the fact that, though some of the settlements have increased, others show a decrease almost similar in numbers. In Kaipara especially this is more noticeable than in other places : several of the settlements, as Manatahi, Pahekeheke and Kauwau, are completely deserted, whilst the others do not appear to have correspondingly increased in numbers. The general habits and occupations of the Natives have remained nearly the same, as stated in my last annual report. The mortality amongst them has been very much less during the past year than during the preceding period. The principal diseases from which they suffer are typhoid fevers, consumption, and asthmatical complaints, as well as general decay in the old people. The schools are fairly attended, and will doubtless, to a certain extent, prove beneficial hereafter; but I believe if the best behaved and most intelligent lads could, after they had attained a fair amount of education, be induced to learn trades, it would eventually lead to a more healthy prosperity to the Maori people. The people throughout my large district have during the past year been perfectly well behaved, quiet, and orderly; very few instances of crime have occurred; and drunkenness has been steadily decreasing. I feel great pleasure at being in a position to make so favourable a report of the Native district under my supervision. I have, &c, James S. Clendon, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Resident Magistrate.

No. 6. Mr. G. J. Wilkinson, Native Agent, Alexandra, to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Memorandum. The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. In accordance with terms of your circular of the 30th December last, informing me that I had been appointed an Enumerator for taking the census of the Native population living within the Counties of Eden, Manukau, Raglan, Waikato, Coromandel, Thames, Ohincinuri, Piako, Waipa, Kawhia, and adjacent islands, also Great and Bittle Barrier Islands, I forward herewith the required return for those counties and islands. The task of compiling the census for such a large area has been by no means an easy one. As you are aware, there is no comparison between the work of taking the Maori census and that of the European. In the latter case almost any person of ordinary intelligence and education is suitable for a Sub-enumerator, and in the execution of his duties he is, with few exceptions, assisted by the co-operation of those amongst whom he works. But in the case of the Maori census the position is almost reversed. In the first place the Sub-enumerator should have