H,—26a.

26

In several cases spraying was resorted to, but from what I could gather from the Natives this was not done until the crops showed signs of blight, the spraying thus done not having any permanent effect. In one case a crop was sprayed constantly from the time it showed above ground, and escaped the blight until well in flower, when, owing to sickness overtaking the owner, they had to be left to take their chance, with the result that they were attacked by blight and became a complete loss. The general opinion amongst the Maoris was that the blight became more prevalent and severe when the muggy, close weather came on soon after the cold westerly winds. Bay of Islands (Central Part.) The potato-blight has been general and very serious throughout my subdistrict, although one or two crops remained untouched —these were at Te Ti Waitangi—whilst at Paihia, about one mile distant, the crops were totally lost. Those planted early— i.e., in July, August, and September— seem to have been the most affected, and were in nearly every case a total loss; whilst those planted later, in October and November, although in most cases affected, have yielded good crops; but these do not appear to keep well after lifting. Cabbages, pumpkins, and marrows seem to have suffered more or less from the same disease. This is a very grave matter, as the potato forms the Maori's staple food. The kumara and maize crops look very well. Bay of Islands (Eastern Part). In all the places I visited in connection with the Native census, I made full inquiries re the potato-blight. I found in Wh*ngaruru that it had been very bad, destroying all the early crops and most of the later ones—in fact, so much so, that it leaves the Natives without seed for the coming season. Other places have suffered the same. Hobson, Otamatea, <kc. The potato-crops, owing to the blight, have been a complete failure throughout the North. The loss of their potatoes and kumaras has been a very serious one to the Natives, which it will take some time for them to recoup; in many places they do not intend planting potatoes or kumaras next year—in fact, they have no seed-potatoes, or money to purchase any with. They seem to have an idea that it would be better for them to plant wheat as a substitute, but are not able to purchase seed, and talk of applying to the Government to supply them. Waiheke. The potato-crop was a complete failure, owing to the blight. Manuhau and Eden. Most of the potato-crops were blighte-d. In one or two places the crops were fairly good. In other parts the Natives have absolutely none, owing to the ravages of the blight. Last year the Government gave them a quantity of potatoes to plant, but all seemed to have the same story — that very few of the seed ever came through the ground, and those that did grow were destroyed by the blight. Ohinemuri. The yield of potatoes was fair, but rotted before they were got to the store-pits. Waikato and Piako. As to the potato and maize crops, I found that the potatoes were completely destroyed by blight, and that the maize was destroyed by summer frosts. In no place did I hear that there was any crop at all. The promise was good, but the result was a total failure. In some places there were no cultivations on account of last season's dearth. The lamentation everywhere was great; potatoes were nowhere saved for winter food, and as to seed for the ensuing season, well, there is none at all. In all places I was requested to put the matter very plainly before you, as to the great hardship the Natives will suffer, having no winter store, and besides that, what are they to do for seed? Raglan. The potato-crops have been nearly all destroyed by the blight. The Maoris who had cultivations on the banks of tK"e Waikato River lost their first crops through floods. The Government gave most of them a fresh supply of seed-potatoes, but the resulting crops appear to have been damaged by blight, with a few exceptions. Kawhia. An almost total failure of the potato-crops through the blight. The crops are not worth digging. The maize-crop is very poor, and in some cases blighted. The blight nas even extended to fern and tea-tree, the latter being yellow in patches, as if scorched. The torori (tobacco) plants have also suffered from the blight. Waipa. The whole of the potato-crops have suffered from the blight. Those crops which were put in early, say, in July and August, although more or less affected by blight, gave fair returns, but these were only in small patches.