9

H.—l4a

Mr. J. H. Phillips, sub-enumerator for the Kawhia. County and a portion of the Raglan County, states, — I found the Natives fairly prosperous, owing to the fact of their potato-crop turning out well this season. There are only a few cases of pot aI o blight reported. I found no sickness, except at the Taharoa kaingas, where there is a considerable amount at the present time, ten persons having died within the last three months. These settlements own several tohungas, who. in my opinion, help very much towards making up the death-roll. Generally speaking, the Natives appear to be very indolent. not caring to go far from their kaingas to seel; work. I found very lew who appeared to be making any effort to better their social conditions. Constable J. A. Matthew, sub-enumerator for the southern portion of the Waitomo County, states. I found the Maoris in this district to he enjoying good health, and, taking them as a whole, they are fairly well off. I did not see any poverty. So far as ! could gather, there are no communal cultivations. They all have their own cultivations, and some 1 met were quite indignant at my suggesting that they grew potatoes. &c, for communal purposes. I was struck with some of tin bright and intelligent children I met. This 1 put down to their attending school. The children seem to be losing the superstition of their fathers. The women are exceedingly superstitious. They did not like the idea, of their babies being taken in the census. Constable D. C. Fraser. sub-enumerator lor the central portion of the Waitomo County, states, — The Maoris are in good health. I saw no sickness. All are busy in getting their potatoes in. Their social position is improving, and their financial position is as good as that of the average European. A lot of the younger Maoris are beginning to work. 1 did not see any poverty. The Maoris have pretty well given up communal cultivation and communal stocking. In all the places I went to each one has his own potatoes, oats, maize, horses, and cattle. Constable P. J. McCarthy, sub-enumerator for the northern portion of the Waitomo County, states, — I found the Natives all in good health. There is no sickness an gsl them. Their social condition is good, and they all seemed prosperous, and compare very favourably, financially, with their European neighbours. Mr. A. E. Mellsop. sub-enumerator for a portion of the Manukau County, states, — I found the Maoris very much more scattered than hitherto, particularly in and around Pukekohe, where they are camped on farms all through the district, mostly in sma.ll numbers, working lor the farmers. In the course of my travels I came across only one Native who was in bad health. Mr. T. U. Cook, sub-enumerator for the southern portion of tin' West Taupo County, states,— I found the Natives in splendid health, and did not come into contact with one case of sickness of a serious nature. Socially they were all contented and living happily together. lam sorry to report that their position financially is not so favourable. Speaking generally, they live lor to-day, and to-morrow, as a rule, can look after itself. The potato-crops I saw were a. failure, owing to the blight. Their corn. too. has not come to anything, owing to a, late frost in November, and this winter will be a very hard one for those Natives who are depending mainly on their crops. Mr. Te Nguha Huira.nia. sub-enumerator for the northern portion of the West Taupo County, states, — The health of the Natives generally is good. The younger Natives generally arc taking to work. I was surprised to see the amount of farming-work done at Waotu. Mr. Huirama. also refers in his report to the difficulty experienced in obtaining information from the Natives, many of whom in the first place refused to give any particulars.

3. TAURANGA, ROTORUA, TAUPO, WHAKATANE, AND OPOTIKI. Rotorua. 26th April. 1911. fx forwarding the Enumerator's summary of the Maori census for 1911 for the Counties of Opotiki, Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo. and W'ha.k'a.tane. I have nothing much to add to what has already been stated by previous Enumerators. The Natives are living in the same state, and dying at the same rate, or probably faster. The present return shows an increase of forty persons in the combined counties, but I do not think that this represents accurately the real stare of affairs. lam positive the Natives are decreasing, and that on this occasion the census has probably been taken more carefully than on the previous occasions. The birth-rate is fairly high. but. comparatively speaking, a very small percentage of the infants reach womanhood or manhood, and the preventable epidemics of typhoid and enteric fevers and measles. which break out periodically, sweep off both children and adults in large numbers. And then they have always consumption amongst them, which takes off a fair number every year. It. is true that their mode of living has improved to a certain extent of recent years, but it still leaves a. great deal to be desired. It has been stated on occasions that the Maori Councils have bettered matters, but, so far, I have not, noticed it. What is required is that competent, persons should be sent amongst the Maoris at frequent intervals to inspect their kaingas and advise them on sanitary matters, for there is no doubt but, that the epidemics of typhoid and enteric fevers and measles that break out so often now amongst, them are solely due to their ignorance of the ordinary laws of health and sanitation. The Inspectors should have the power to compel them to clean their kaingas and keep them clean. That something of the kind is required is shown by the following extract from the report of one of the sub-enumerators for the Opotiki County : " Last year some kind of fever broke out at Te Kaha.. Eighteen deaths took place in a very short, time —say. one mouth and a, half. No one knows even to this day what was the real cause of it. Dr. Wirepa was there at the time, and he was not able to give a report of the cause of that fever. Dr. Buck this year was supposed to come round to Te Kaha to see the place, but failed

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