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be rather lukewarm, as he is unable to give any particulars as to the portions of Scripture upon which it is founded, or why those particular parts of the Bible have been selected as a basis for their creed. I have no reason for believing that Te Kooti, in promulgating his religion, has any thought of causing trouble; but I have no doubt he is, like the rest of his race, very suspicious. Being so, I dare say he considers it advisable to have as many adherents to his Church as possible, so that, in the event of his being " aggressed," some of them might be persuaded to assist him. There is no indication of any danger, excepting such as might arise out of any extensive combination. In this case the organization is under the leadership of a man who is looked upon by his adherents as something more than human, and who, if he desired, might use some of the most weak-minded and fanatical of them to carry out his wishes, without appearing to be an active agent. It is this phase of the religion that those sections of the Natives who have not adopted it are uneasy about. The Kooti-ites are somewhat like the Waikato Kingites, whatever they say or do is clone by Te Kooti's orders. The same was the case in Waikato a few years back. Whatever was done there by the Kingites was always attributed to Tawhiao, whereas such was not the case. It may be the same in this instance, Te Kooti's name simply being used to give more force to the speaker's words and wishes. Crops.- —The crops throughout the district have been unusually good. The volcanic deposit seems to have acted as a fertiliser—so much so that in those portions of the district where, in other seasons, the crops were poor, they are exceptionally good this year. All kinds of crops throughout the district are remarkably good this year, notwithstanding the long, dry summer that was experienced. Maize crops throughout the district, even where they have been languishing for some seasons past, show a very decided improvement. All lands which had been continuously cropped seemed to have been much benefited by the volcanic deposit, and the crops grown on those cultivations present a very marked and healthy appearance : there is nothing of the previous year's stunted growth visible. So far, therefore, the eruption appears to have been beneficial. Some crops belonging to the Urewera were destroyed at Buatahuna about the 17th of January last through what may be termed a meteorological phenomenon in the shape of a violent downpour of hail and sleet, which denuded the corn-stalks of leaves, and left nothing but the bare poles standing. This occurrence was fully reported in my report of the 16th February. It was stated to have been predicted by Te Kooti. Public Works. —Natives have been employed in various parts of the district on road-works. A section of the Whanau-a-Apanui have been engaged on a road being made over the hills to obviate the present shingle-beach travelling. Other sections of Natives have been employed on the Torere Boad, and others again on the Whakatane and Te Teko Boad. There appears to be an increased desire on the part of certain sections of Natives to be thus employed. Native Schools. —There are now nine Native schools at work in this district, that at the Teko having been closed since the eruption. The attendances at the schools are good, and very good progress is made by the scholars. Considerable difficulty is at times experienced in getting those children who have passed the Fourth Standard sufficiently well enough to receive the two years' further tuition provided by the Education Department at either St. Stephen's, Te Aute, or Hukarere away from their parents and relatives, who raise all manner of absurd obstacles to prevent the children going. It is seldom that any of the children object to go to these schools. At the end of last quarter there were 416 children attending these schools, 264 of whom were males and 152 females. The difference between the number of males and females is very marked. The Urewera do not appear to be at all anxious to promote schools in their district. I much fear it will be some time yet before successful schools can be established in their midst, as they appear determined not to agree on this point amongst themselves. The matter has been frequently urged upon them, but without success. These people, I may add, are likewise opposed to surveys, roads, and land sales; therefore it can scarcely be expected that they would be unanimous with respect to schools. A new school has lately been established at Baukokore, which bids fair to be successful, and which I feel sure will be well supported by the parents of the children. The attendance, I fear, will not, for a time, be very numerous ; but, as there are a good many infants in that locality, I shall expect an improvement in the course of a year or two. Maketu. I have visited Maketu periodically as heretofore, for the purpose of holding the Besident Magistrate's and Police Court there. There is a slight increase of business at that Court, and I think more cases would be brought into it if the Court sat oftener than it does. No Natives have been dealt with for any serious offence, and only a very few for disorderly conduct. Many of the Natives have been absent, attending various Land Courts, principally at Botorua and Taupo. The crops at this settlement appear much better than they were last year, no doubt owing to the volcanic dust. It is a pity that these tribes, though owning an abundance of land, cultivate such small areas. The food grown does not appear to be sufficient to feed them until the next season's crop comes in; consequently they have to beg food from their neighbours or the Government. I cannot see any reason why this should be the case if they would only be more industrious. They appear to waste a great deal of valuable time in attending Courts being held investigating land claims, which might be much better employed in growing food. It is astonishing how Natives hang about day after day, knowing full well that the case in which they professedly are engaged will not come on probably for days, or even weeks; yet they give up all useful occupations and rush off so as to be present on the opening-day if possible, quite regardless as to the season of the year, and as to how they are to get through the coming winter with their families. I cannot but think it will be a blessing for the Maori when all his lands have passed through the Court, and he has leased or sold all that portion not absolutely necessary for him to live upon. Probably when this comes to pass he will be forced to be more industrious.