23

H.— 26a

good authority that the Improved Dakota Red is almost immune from the potato-blight. Not having seen it I cannot say whether the potato mentioned above is the same or not. The other variety was one quite new to me, being what they called a Maori potato known by the name of " Huakaroro " — i.e., "Sea-gull's Egg." It is, strange to say, a dark-skinned potato, with occasional white markings, and is said to be a good cropper. The Maoris who have grown it assert that it is blight-proof. I have, &c, G. H. Dαvies, Enumerator. The Under-Secretary, Department of Justice, Wellington.

11. NELSON. Sir, — Magistrate's Office, Nelson, 26th April, 1906. 1. I have the honour to forward you the return of the Native census taken for the Counties of Collingwood, Takaka, Waimea, and the adjacent islands. Every precaution has been taken to prevent a duplicating or omission of names. 2. Collingwood County. —The Natives in this locality have increased from two since the end of February, 1901, to seven at the end of February, 1906. Good health has prevailed, and no epidemic or disease has visited the Maoris in this county during the past five years. The Maoris have no land propped in potatoes now, nor have they had for some years back. 3. Takaka County. —Here the Maori population has remained about equal to what it was five years ago, the deaths being balanced by the births. There is only one family of four away at Riwaka, but the deficiency is made up by the arrival of four visitors. The health of the Natives has been good, and there has been no epidemic among them during the period which has elapsed since March, 1901, the deaths which have occurred having resulted mainly from old age. There are two families who farm their land in European fashion. Both these families live in good houses, and have in a great measure departed from Native customs. The children of one of them go to the State school, and are considered by their teachers to have more than normal intelligence. The Natives in this part of the country are sober and industrious: The young men go out to work for Europeans, and do not remain idle dxiring the winter months. i. Waimea Count;/. —Subdivision of Nelson, Wakapuaka, and Croixelles: Since the census was taken in 1901, there has been a slight increase in the Maori population of this subdivision. In 1901 the number was sixty-four, and in April, 1906, it is sixty-nine. The general health of (ho Natives has been good, though there is a tendency to consumption. A few have died from thai disease during the past five years, and a few are now suffering from it. They have been free from epidemic; and hakihaki, a skin disease resembling the itch, rather prevalent in previous years, has disappeared. The housing accommodation is excellent, all the houses being built in European style. The majority of the Natives in this subdivision live at the Croixelles, and half of them are Mormons. There is a school at the Croixelles with an attendance of about fifteen pupils. It is supported jointly by the Education Board and the Church of England. Church services and Sundayschool are also held in it, conducted by the school-teacher, Miss Howard. There is absolutely no crime amongst the Natives in this subdivision, or indeed among the Natives throughout the Counties of Waimea and the adjacent islands, Collingwood, and Takaka. Subdivision of Motueka : The Native population stands at exactly the same figure as it did in 1901—viz., 43. The general state of health of these Natives has been extremely goo-d. They have not been visited by any epidemic, and this is probably due to the fact that the Maoris in this locality are all living under the same sanitary conditions as the European inhabitants. Subdivision of Richmond and Waimea West: Constable Cameron employed two days in making a thorough investigation through the length and breadth of this subdivision, and he could find only one half-caste living in it. He appears to be living Maori fashion, and it is probable that he is only a temporary visitant. In 1901 there was not a single Maori or half-caste to be found in this portion of my district. Subdivision of Spring Grove and Upper Waimea: There are no Maoris living in this locality, and only one half-caste, George Aldridge. This man is not living as a member of a Maori tribe. He is employed as a telegraph linesman, and his name should not have been included by the subenumerator. 5. To summarise: The Natives in the Counties of Collingwood, Takaka, and Waimea and the adjacent islands have slightly increased in number since the last census. They are in a healthy condition. Most of them are living in European houses and under European conditions, and there has been no epidemic. They are industrious and sober, and consequently exempt from crime. They have suffered very slightly from the ravages of the potato-blight. I have, &c, H. Etre-Kennt, Stipendiary Magistrate. The Under-Secretary, Justice Department, Wellington.