H.—39a

4

As evidence of industry, each of the sub-enumerators mentions that the collection of the census this time had been rendered more difficult from their having to follow up the Natives scattered about the districts, either cropping their own lands or working for Europeans. More Native land is being cropped than usual, and many Maoris are taking an active part in the dairy industry. On comparing the figures with the 1911 census it will be noticed that there is a very small decrease (fifteen), but it must not be forgotten that the counties mentioned have been a "happy-hunting-ground " for the recruiting sergeant. Mr. H. Carr, Enumerator for the Counties of Waiapu, Waikohu, Cook, and Wairoa. The general health of the Maoris appears on the whole satisfactory. No epidemics or diseases have been reported. Industrially the Maori looks mainly to sheep-farming, supported by cropping and cultivating for their own needs. In the Waiapu district the communal system of sheep-farming is firmly established, and probably on that account these Natives are as prosperous as anybody in the Dominion. The Cook County people have evidenced a desire to do likewise, and have started sheepraising at Waihirere, Whangara, and Puatai on a fairly extensive scale. At Nuhaka also mixed farming is still the chief industry of the local Natives. Socially, it is apparent that in certain parts of the districts the drink problem amongst the Natives is causing their leaders and well-wishers some considerable alarm. Judge Jack, Enumerator for the . Counties of Patea, Hawera, Waimate West, Eltham, Stratford, Whangamomona, Clifton, Taranaki, and Egmont. Nearly all the sub-enumerators report a difficulty experienced in gathering information from the Natives. The cause of this difficulty is the existence of a strong suspicion in the Maori mind that the taking of the census at the present time is allied in a sinister manner with the intended enforcement of compulsory military service, and, as this is a question to which the Maoris of Taranaki have strong antipathy, they have in nearly all instances been passively antagonistic to the compilation of the census, and two or three of the sub-enumerators report that a few of the old people were actively antagonistic to them. The chief result of this antagonism is in the failure of two of the sub-enumerators to obtain the names of some of the children. In Taranaki County the sub-enumerator reported he had omitted six children because he could not obtain their names. In Hawera County the sub-enumerator stated that he had counted sixty-five children whose names he was unable to obtain. In both these instances the numbers of the children stated have been included in the figures for the respective counties. I have only to add that the general health of the Natives in the counties allotted to me has been good, except for an outbreak of typhoid near Normanby, in the Hawera County, about a year ago. This carried off some young children, but the epidemic did not spread. As to occupation of the Natives, an increasing number of them are taking up dairy-farming and appear to be making a success of it. Under recent legislation, by which they have been enabled to get freehold titles to their unleased areas, it is hoped that those families who have a disposition towards industry will be enabled to arrange the necessary finance to enable them to start in dairyfarming. Mr. A. H. Mackay, Enumerator for the Counties of Wanganui, Waimarino, Waitotara, Rangitikei, and Kaitieke. The population of the combined counties is 2,571. The population of Waitotara, Wanganui, Rangitikei, and Waimarino Counties is 2,334, which is an increase of 228 since the last census was taken. The sub-enumerators appointed by me were well acquainted with their respective districts and were personally interviewed by me prior to taking up their duties. The general health of the Maoris is very good, and in some counties they are very industrious.