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The Native schools are still an important factor in the social and moral improvement of the Natives. They are fairly well attended, and considerable interest is shown by the Maoris in their welfare. The band of fanatics at Upper Waihou, in the County of Hokianga, still keep up their absurd practices. They have lately gained further adherents from the neighbouring settlements, and without doubt constitute a disturbing element in the district. They have been repeatedly warned as to the probable result of a persistence in their present proceedings, and they are now being closely watched by the district constable. Should there be again any open violation of the law it will undoubtedly be necessary to take such steps as will insure the permanent breaking-up of the entire band. I have, &c, H. W. Bishop, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Resident Magistrate. No. 3. Mr. J. S. Clendon, R.M., Whangarei, to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Whangarei, 11th June, 1889. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd May last, requesting a report upon the state of the Natives within the district under my charge, and in reply thereto I would beg to remark as follows : — With the exception of the outbreak at Poroti in June, 1889 (the full particulars of which have already been forwarded to the department), the Native population within the extended area under my supervision have conducted themselves in the quietest and most orderly manner. Their chief occupation has been in cultivating their lands and in gum-digging, at which employment they realise a fair remuneration. Their cultivations were larger last season than for several years previously ; and this, coupled with the exceptionally fine weather, was productive of much benefit to them. Their schools have been fairly attended during the past period, but I regret to say that a great amount of apathy and indifference on the part of the parents still exists in not enforcing the attendance of their children at school, and which, I fear, will never be sufficiently removed from the Native mind to enable their descendants to reap fully the benefits of education. , There have been four political meetings during the year—at Waitangi, Orakei, and Poroti; but the assemblage in each case was very much smaller than on previous occasions. The grievances, real or imaginary, were fully discussed; and a petition was framed at the March meeting at Waitangi to be forwarded for signature all over the country, expressing the desire of the Natives for a government of their own. The petition will, I believe, be brought before Parliament at once, although there can be little doubt that a great number of the Maoris hardly know what they really require themselves. Several deaths have occurred in various parts of the district from the usual causes amongst a Native population, such as consumption, catarrh, typhoid fever, and old age; but the mortality has been less than in former years. The decease of Maihi Paraone Kawiti will cause a blank among the leading Northern chiefs not easily supplied from the younger men. Kingi Hori Kira, of Te Ngaere, Whangaroa, is now the only remaining chief of the old regime in the Bay of Islands District. He will be about eighty years of age. In conclusion, I would beg to remark that, with the decease of the old chieftains and the advent of the younger generation to power and influence, a new era in Native ideas and views will arise, which, though assimilating more to European customs, will still be greatly inferior to the dignity and uprightness of the older men now passed away. I have, &c, James S. Clendon, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Resident Magistrate. No. 4. Mr. G. T. Wilkinson, Native Agent, Alexandra, to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Native Office, Otorohanga, 20th June, 1889. In accordance with request contained in your circular No. 4, of the 23rd ultimo, I have the honour to forward herewith my annual report on the Natives in my districts during the past year : — During the past year— viz., from the 14th March, 1888, to the 2nd March last—l have been almost constantly engaged acting as Interpreter for the Native Land Court during its sittings at Otorohanga and Kawhia, and have not, therefore, had the opportunity of moving about in my districts and having personal communication with the numerous Natives therein, as during previous years. lam glad, however, to be able to report that there is no apparent retrograde movement either in their health or social condition during the past year. Only one chief of importance has died during that period—viz., Wetere te Rerenga, of Mokau. He was a chief of high rank, belonging to the Ngatimaniapoto Tribe, and was well known throughout this part of the North Island for the part he is said to have taken during the early days of the Native rebellion. He was a man of great energy and considerable ability, and during the last fifteen years has been a firm friend of Europeans. He was one of the very few aboriginal natives of New Zealand who was the possessor of the bronze medal of the Royal Humane Society for saving life, he having some years ago saved the life of some Europeans who were capsized from a canoe whilst crossing the Mokau Bar, and who, but for his exertions in going to their rescue, would have been drowned. He was in receipt of a Government pension at the time of his death.