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3. To amend the by-laws adopted by the various Councils with a view to more perfect conformity in all matters affecting the Native people. 4. To amend the boundaries of the various Council districts where required. 5. To submit certain proposals for the consideration of the Governor and his Ministers as provided by section 15 of " The Maori Councils Act, 1900," that is to say— (a.) To establish hospitals in Native districts. (b.) To provide for the training of Maori girls as nurses for the sick. (c.) That the control of medical men in Native districts who receive Government aid may be placed under the Health Department. (d.) That fuller authority be given to the Maori Councils and Village Committees to insure more regular attendance of Maori children at school. (c.) That the Government take stringent measures to protect the sacred places and cemeteries of the Maoris from desecration by Europeans. (/.) That the Government direct that the laws controlling the supply of spirits to the Maoris may be more vigorously carried out. 6. That arrangements be made with some newspaper for publishing all proceedings, reports, notices, &c, of the Maori Council meetings. 7. Dealing with noxious weeds, and the better carrying-out of the provisions of section 23 of " The Maori Councils Act, 1900." 8. For providing money by way of subsidies for necessary work in Maori villages, sanitary inspection, &c, under the Council. 9. Several questions relating to social matters not affecting the Council districts generally. Those subjects submitted for discussion, but upon which the Conference arrived at no decision, were adjourned till next year. Minutes relating to the same will be found herein. In concluding this report the Conference unanimously expressed its sincere admiration and thanks to the Arawa Council and Arawa Tribe generally for the unbounded hospitality they extended to the delegates and visitors. This report was read over and confirmed by the Conference on the 27th April, 1903. Ihaia Hutana, Tamatea Council, President. Apibana Ngata, Horouta Council, Apoeo Haee Kumekoa, Eongokako Council, Delegates.

No. 1. After receiving a telegram from the Eight Hon. the Premier and hearing the address made by Mr. J. Email Smith, Eegistrar of Old-age Pensions, pointing out that certain old-age Maori pensioners are being defrauded of their pensions by other Natives, the Conference decided to submit the following resolutions for the consideration of the Eight Hon. the Premier : — 1. Wherever, through age or other infirmities, applicants for old-age pensions are unable to appear in person before the Stipendiary Magistrate, that officer may refer applications to the Maori Council of the district in which the applicants reside for full inquiry and report as to the bona fides of each applicant, and whether certificates or renewal certificates should be issued to them. 2. In cases where old-age pensioners are unable to appear personally to receive their pensions, the Maori Council where such pensioners are resident may be empowered under regulations to undertake the payment of same. 3. In any case when an old-age pensioner is living in a place unfit for human habitation, the Eegistrar may, on the report of the Chairman of any Maori Council and after due inquiry, direct that a portion of the pension may be employed in improving the residence of the pensioner or in building a better residence for the same. 4. If the Government ever contemplate depriving the aged Maoris of their pensions, this Conference of delegates earnestly begs the Government to stay its hand till the Maori Councils have had an opportunity of doing their utmost to remedy any existing abuses such as have been already referred to. No. 2. The following are the amendments proposed to be made in " The Maori Councils Act, 1900 " :— (a.) Section 16, Bth line. After the word " marae" to add the following words, " kainga, tiriti ranei." (b.) Section 16. To amend the clause giving the Council power to control the traffic and rate of speed of any cart, buggy, or rider within a Maori village. (c.) Section 25. To add the following words: " For all breaches of by-laws made under subsections four, five, eight, thirteen, and fourteen of section sixteen, the Councils have full power to act whether the offenders be Europeans or Natives." (d.) To repeal section 17, also subsection (2) of section 2, Amendment Act, 1901, and substitute the following: " The Council shall have power to appoint from among the Maoris of any kainga, village, or pa a Committee of not less than three or more than five, who shall be called the Village Committee, and should the Council deem it advisable to appoint a Committee for one or more kaingas or pas, the the said Committee shall have and exercise all the powers and authority of the Council to do all things in accordance with the by-laws then in force and submitted for the guidance of such Committees. Under the authority so delegated, the said Committees shall have power to inquire into the breaches of any by-law, to fine for infringement thereof, and to collect the same: provided always that

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