33

G.—7.

soldiers who were brought to Parihaka. The Natives apparently have not kept any record of the losses suffered in this way by them, and it is impossible now to ascertain exactly what these losses were and who the individual sufferers were. But notwithstanding this difficulty the case, we think, is one in which, according to good conscience and equity, a sum. should be paid as an acknowledgement, at least, of the wrong that was done to the Natives of Parihaka. We recommend accordingly that the sum of £300 should be paid for this purpose, and added to the first annual payment of £5,000 recommended in paragraph 16 of this report. North Auckland District. Petitions Nos. 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, and 49. 109. The several petitions numbered 42 to 49, referring to what are known as " tenths," were grouped together for purposes of inquiry. For a period of five months during the years 1853-54 a clause was inserted in conveyances of land purchased within the Auckland District by the Crown from Maoris, which read as follows : " It is further agreed to by the Queen of England, on her part, that there shall be paid for the following purposes —that is to say, for the founding of schools, in which persons of our race may be taught ; for the construction of hospitals, in which persons of our race may be tended ; for the payment of medical assistance for us ; for the construction of mills for us ; for annuities for our chiefs, or for other purposes of a like nature, in which Natives of this country have an interest —ten per cent, or ten pounds out of every hundred pounds, out of any moneys from time to time received for that land when it is resold." 110. The reason, apparently, for the inclusion of this clause was a desire on the part of the authorities to provide for the education and health of Maoris, and evidently it was intended to extend the policy throughout the colony. The clause was put into operation by Governor Sir George Grey ; but the difficulties it created were realized by Mr. Swainson, the Attorney-General, who was responsible for the discontinuance of the clause. In the meantime, however, some (eight conveyances had been executed with the clause included, and it is claimed, that the terms of this clause have not been carried out by the Crown. Evidence produced, showed on a conservative basis, the estimated value of the " tenths " to be under £9,000. Of this sum apparently nearly £1,700 was distributed among the chiefs in accordance with the clause in the deeds of conveyance. This left a sum of approximately £7,000 in hand for the Government to apply for Maori education and health services. In this connection evidence showed that a sum well over £2,000,000 had already been spent on these services for the benefit of Maoris. The Maoris have received special medical services from the State apart from the general services to which they have equal access with the European population. In education, the Maoris have special schools established in their settlements, and records show that nearly £500,000 has been expended on Maori education in the Auckland and North Auckland Districts between the years 1880 and 1925. It was contended by counsel for the Crown that this expenditure ought to be treated as a performance of the obligation created by the covenants. We think that this is the proper view to take of the matter, and that the petitioners are not entitled to any relief. 111. We desire to take this opportunity to point out that the Education Regulations might be extended with much benefit to the Maoris were they to include in the syllabus a course of training for boys in woodwork and ironwork—carpentering and plumbing especially. Under the present regulations this class of work is optional with the teachers, and little or no financial assistance is given by the Department. The Maori is. an excellent mechanic, and a course of elemetary instruction would fit him to follow a trade in the country districts in which he lives. As it is now, after his school-days, the Maori boy takes up unskilled manual work because he has no opportunity of learning a trade. Petition No. 50. 112. In this petition Patu Hohaia and others claim that an injustice had been inflicted upon them by the acquisition by the Crown of a certain block of land

5—G. 7.