G.— 3.

During the year, 328 succession orders were made, 87 orders for trustees, and 8 orders for probate. During the last fortnight over 100 succession claims have been dealt with by me at Waipiro and Tuparoa. The cases dealt with in the Trust Commissioner's Court up to the 31st March were 202. The criminal cases heard against Maoris in Gisborne for the year were 57 : at Wairoa, 19 ; at Awanui and Waipiro, 52 ; atTologa Bay, 7. Civil cases: Gisborne—European v. Maori, 69 ; Maori v. European, nil ; Maori v. Maori, 2. Wairoa—European v. Maori, 51; Maori t>. European, 6 ; Maori v. Maori, 5. Awanui—European v. Maori, 62; Maori v. European, 7; Maori v. Maori, 25. Tologa Bay—European v. Maori, 7; Maori v. European, 2 ; Maori v. Maori, 4. Native Land Courts were held during the year at Gisborne, Tologa Bay, and Wai o Matatini, by Judges Barton, Gudgeon, and Scannell. I have, &c. J. Booth, Eesident Magistrate. The Acting Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington.

No. 7. Captain Peeece, E.M., N.Z.C., Kaiapoi, to the Undeb-Seceetaby, Native Department. Sik, — Eesident Magistrate's Office, Kaiapoi, Bth July, 1892. In compliance with the request contained in your circular of the 26th of May, No. 7,1 have the honour to forward the following report on the state of the Natives in the districts under my charge. I am unable to give a full report of the state of the Natives owing to the fact that my duties have not brought me more in contact with them. The Natives of Kaiapoi, Little Eiver, and Akaroa maintained fairly good health during the year. The only chief of note who died this year was Irai Tihau, of Little Eiver, a man of influence, and very much respected. The Natives generally complain of the small area of land held by them as reserves. lam unable to state whether they have grounds for these complaints or not, but they at any rate appear to lease portions of these lands at good rentals. I have visited the Native school at Akaroa several times and found a fair attendance on each occasion. I have had no opportunity of visiting the schools at Little Eiver. I was present at the breaking-up of the Kaiapoi school, when an address was presented to His Excellency Lord Onslow by the pupils. A sitting of the Native Land Court was held by the Chief Judge at the Kaiapoi Native meetinghouse in the latter part of the year for the purpose of disposing of applications for rehearings, and I held a sitting at the Eesident Magistrate's Court as Eecorder in February for the purpose of hearing applications for probate of Native wills. Several cases were heard. I understand that there are a number of applications for succession orders pending at Kaiapoi, also at Waikouaiti. The Natives seem to be remarkably sober; they take great interest in European sports, and were, I understand, successful in carrying off the prizes in the international tug-of-war both at Christchurch and Dunedin. I believe they display the utmost good humour on these occasions whether successful or otherwise. I have, &c, George Peeece, Eesident Magistrate. The Acting Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil; printing {1,325 copies), £6 ss.

By Authority : Geoegb Bidsbuey, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB92. Pria 6d.~]

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