H.—3l.

brains also active, there was the history, the legends, the endless genealogies, and the songs of the tribe to be committed to memory. The Maori of old was lean, sinewy, tough, and mentally active. He lived the natural, open, out-of-door life, and thus was always in the best of physical condition. Those who reached maturity were literally the fittest of their race, for no weakling could survive the hardships and exposure of their primitive life. Now, when the Maori was obliged by peace to end fighting he ceased to be a worker. The horse came into existence, and he no longer carried burdens up to his airy pa. He became indolent and ambitionless. He sold his land, and learned to spend the proceeds, some of which were fairly bought for Jew's-harps and red blankets, while others were possessed by his brother—" Recte si possint si non quocunque modo." Then he sat around smoking torori and drinking whisky when he could get it, brooding over his wrongs, his lost mana, and his lands. New conditions arose. The old life was no more. The present life was disjointed. He began to live a pseudo-pakeha life. His clothing was altered; his diet was different. He was unable to resist disease. He began to decrease. This was his deplorable condition when we started to work nearly nine years ago. Since the inauguration of the Department we have had many knotty problems concerning his welfare to solve. Only by infinite sympathy and patient understanding of his idiosyncrasies were we able to overcome difficulties which might have often ended in Courts of law. We commenced with sanitary reforms amongst the Maoris with a great deal of trepidation, but the result of the work has proved astonishingly satisfactory; in fact, far beyond our dreams or expectations. We can truly state to-day that, owing to sanitary adjustments, the Maori is a hundred per cent, better off than he was nine years ago. The Maori has awakened. With the passing of such men as Te Whiti and Tohu; with the constant agitation in the direction of landsettlement, of individual effort, of sanitation and progress, the Maori has realised that the only royal way to salvation is by work. Everywhere our young men are clamouring to get on to the land, and when once one or two are successful many try to emulate their example. Eight years of sanitary work amongst my people under your captaincy has made you beloved of the people. We regret that, owing to stormy weather, the ship of State has to unburden itself by the unloading of our Department; but, sir, though my people from all parts are pouri for this step, they cannot help being grateful for the great, great good which has been done. The years which we have spent in trying to uplift our fellow-men have not been spent in vain. The good seed which has been wisely and widely sown has grown. We can always look back upon these years with pride; and throughout the Dominion, from the far-away Rerenga Wairua to Stewart Island, from the fastnesses of the Urewera to the Hawke's Bay plains, the words are living, and the lives of men have been saved and changed. Whole villages have been renovated. Some have been shifted from their low, damp situations to the higher lands. Hundreds of insanitary houses have been destroyed without a penny of compensation being asked for. New houses have been erected. In some districts it would be quite difficult to find a Maori whare of the old stamp. They have all gone in the general awakening that has taken place.

Figures re Insanitary Houses destroyed, &c.

* Incomplete. Drains have been cut; water-supplies have been laid on; fences have been erected around the kaingas. The pas are now more cleanly kept. The children are better cared for. Epidemics are fewer now, and when they do occur they are not as disastrous as formerly. During the year we had another health pamphlet printed and widely circulated. The distribution of this kind of literature in the Maori tongue has been a long-felt want. We felt that the health lectures would be more beneficial if they were followed up by printed matter.

Medical Inspection of Native Schools. I am sorry to state that, owing to pressure in other directions, the medical inspection of our Native schools has not been systematically carried out. Our staff at present is too small to carry this useful work on in a regular manner. Wherever we have had opportunities we have examined children at the

60

Year. New Houses built. New Maori Whares. New W.C.s erected. Houses destroyed. 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 763 258 207 123 544 208 6 30 3 6 254 2 73 93 152 175 346 164 291 183 160 83 340 179* Total ... 2,103 301 1,003 1,256