H.—l4a

16

family, and pigs are kept at a distance; in fact, there has been a great improvement in the general mode of living, both in and out the kaingas. There is. however, still a sad lack of knowledge on the part of sonic, of the mothers. In nursing and rearing their young. Inquiries disclosed the fact that within the last three years twelve children have died under the age of five, and for the same peiiod there have I n eight deaths among adults. For nine months in the year those who can and care to work are kept, in constant employment at shearing, scrub-cutting, grass-seeding. &C The total area cultivaf I'd and put down in potatoes last spring was 13 acres, and it is vei v pleasing to be able to report the absolute freedom of this crop from the devastating potato-blight of the last few years. Small sowings of wheat, maize, and oats are made every year lor private consumption and use. Within the last twelve months, owing to the expiry of certain leases, there has reverted to the Native owners a total area of 4,550 acres. The greater portion of this, land has been highly improved and grassed. This will therefore explain the increase of 3.40(1 acres oi sown-grass hind over the return of 1906. The falling-in of theße lands have also led to an increase of stock, as some of the owners have decided to start sheep-farming on their own. Five years ago the Natives of this district could not muster a, flock of 500 amongst them, while this year they are returned as owning 1.600.

6. PAHIATUA. AKITIO, EKETAHUNA. MAURICEVILLE, MASTERTON. CASTLEPOINT. WAIRARAI'A SIXTH. AND FEATHERSTON. Sir.— Native Land Court Office, Wellington. 12th April. ID! I. I have the honour, in accordance with the instruction contained in your circular letter of January last, to forward herewith the Enumerator's summary, showing the results of the census of the Maori population taken last month in the Counties of Wairarapa South. Mauriceville, Eketahuna, I'ahiatua. Akitio. Castlepoint, Masterton. and Fcatherston. The returns show an increase of fifteen in the total population of the eight counties, as compared with the number shown in the census of 11)0(5. the figures being 880. as against 865. One noticeable feature is the increase in the number of children under fifteen years of age. the figures being—for 1911, 358; for 1906, 321: an increase of thirty-four. The increases iii the total population for these counties would have been greater but lor the fact that many of the Natives in the I'ahiatua district have left there, and have taken up their abode in Dannevirke and Hawke's Bay. For the purposes of comparison. I tabulate hereunder the returns relating to the area under cultivation, and the number of live-stock kept.

These figures show an increase in every respect, with the exception of the lands in crop. The outstanding features arc the very great decrease in the area planted in potatoes namely, 600 acres —the figures being 827 acres in 1906, and acres in 1911—and the large increase in the number of sheep 11.188 in 1911, as against 6.(ill) in 1906. The decrease in the area planted in potatoes may be ascribed to two causes —firstly, the departure of many of the I'ahiatua Natives, who were the largest potato-growers in these districts; and. secondly. the general fear of the potato-blight. The high prices may account lor the increase in the number of sheep. The Maoris are making continuous progress towards the complete adoption of civilized modes of life. It is a rare exception to find a, Moari living in one of the old-time w ha. res, the houses being constructed on European plans. The Maoris are recognizing the necessity of good sites, and are generally conforming to sanitary rules. There is no doubt that the .Maori Councils, under (he direction and with the assistance of the Native Department, have contributed largely to this result. There appears to be an almost, complete absence of sickness or disease amongst the Maoris in these districts, the sub-enumerators reporting only a few cases of asthma, and measles, and the death of a few babies from whooping-cough. Some of the children are suffering from a. cutaneous disease, ascribed by the sub-enumerator to the habit of the children playing with the dogs. There is no doubt there are far too many dogs kept by the Maoris in their pas. and the dogs are not, clean, and are often allowed with or near the children. I have. &c., Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Iv \. Welch, Enumerator.

7. HUTT. MAKARA, HOROWHENUA, MANAW.VIT, KAIRANOA. OBOUA, POHANGINA, AND KIWITEA. Native Department, Wellington, Ith April. 1911. I have the honoui to forward herewith the result of the census of the Maori population in the Hutt, Makara, Horowhenua, Manawatu, Eairanga, Oroua, Pohangina, and Kiwitea Counties. 1 have to report that the total of the above counties shows an increa.se as compared with the last census, the total increase being 291. It wdl be noticed that only two (Horowhenua. and Manawatu)

• Potatoes, Maize, &o. In Sown {grasses. Sheep. Cattle. I'iL'S. L906 1911 Acres. 989| 941| Acres. L1.296 ll,364J 6,649 11,188 736 826 ! 16 192