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1878. NEW ZEALAND.

FURTHER REPORTS FROM OFFICERS IN NATIVE DISTRICTS.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of Sis Excellency.

No. 1. Mr. E. W. Puckey, Thames, to the Under Secretaky, Native Department. Sir, — Native Office, Thames, 3rd June, 1878. In compliance with your circular, No. 11, 25th April, 1878, I have the honor to report as follows upon the condition of the Natives in my district :— 1. Political. The accession of the present Ministry, in which one of themselves is a member, has afforded thorn much gratification. They hailed the change with pleasure as an earnrst of much good to follow, and have. been watching with the most intense interest the progress of negotiations with the King parly. 2. Industrial. In respect of agricultural pursuits, I regret that I am unable to report favourably, as the Natives do not appear to make any advance whatever. The last season, however, being an exceptionally favourable one for the potato crop, I am glad to say they are placed beyond the reach of absolute want of food during the present year. 3. Physical and Moral. "With regard to their physical and moral condition no material change can be reported, but 1 might state that a free-love movement was introduced by the late Ngatipaoa chief, Tarapipipi, which, however, found little favour, though, under his au*|>icesand at his invitation, a considerable number of professed adherents of the Hauhau party removed from their homes at Ohinemuri, llikutaia, Kerepehi, Waitakaiawi;i, and Whakatiwai, and formed a new settlement at Te Hoi-a-Tainui, where for the most part they still remain. Te Kooti has been on a tour endeavouring to promulgate his own peculiar views of theology. I understand a sort of camp-meeting was held in the country somewhere between Te Aroha and Kalikati. His wife had, prior to that, been conducting soecial services at different places in this district, and bad made a good many converts ; but I do not think that any political significance need be attaciied to this fact, as the Haitraki tribes arc unmistakably loyal. llaulianism, which was thought by so many a year or two back to be waning, appears to be gaining fresh ground to some extent here at least. An influential section of Ngatitatnatera. living on the nonliern part of this peninsula, have adopted it, though 1 cannot think they will consider themselves bound by its anti-land-selling principles whilst they have a single acre to sell. 4. Employment on Public Works. The Thames County Council, I have much pleasure in stating, have been successful beyond the most sanguine expectations in dealing with the Native difficulties, which have hitherto interposed what has all along been held to be an impassable barrier 1o the forming of roads in this district. The main trunk load between Shortland and Ohinemuri has been opened for traffic between the former place and a point on the Hikutaia River, where a substantial bridge has been built. A road between Paeroa and Te Puke is in course of formation by a party of Natives who have always stood by us, and that: in the face ot the determined opposition which has so consistently been made by the anti-progress party. A bridie roadway from Ohinemuri to Te Aroha has been completed, whilst another between Ohinemuri ami Kutikati is being rapidly pushed on. A road has also been partially completed, under the management of the Harataunga Highway Board, between Kapanga and the southern boundary of the Coromandel County, which has been made avai a tie for traffic southwards from Coromandel nearly as far as Kereta. Ou all these works N; tivefl have been employed, and, I am pleased to say, with few exceptions, have giveu satisfaction to their employers.

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It is with much regret that I have to report the death of two of the principal chiefs of Hauraki during the past year—namely, Tanumeha te Moananui and Iwiapipipi te Kopara, both men of the highest rank. A marked fatality appears to have befallen the Hauraki chiefs during the last few years. First, in 1871, Kitahi te Tamueha died ; then, 1872, Taraia; in 187-t, Haora Tipa; in 1876, Tamati te Otahu and Rapana Mauuganoa—all men who in their time have exercised weighty influence in the councils of Mauituaha, and have done their best according to their lights to advance the interests of tkeir respective tribes. I have, &c, E. W. PUCKET, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Native Agent.

No. 2. Mr. R. S. Bubh, Raglan, to the Hon. the Native Minister. Sib, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Raglan, 17th June, 1878. I have the honor to report for your information that Tawhiao, the so-called Maori King1, arrived at the Tainui Settlement, situated about a mile and a half from this township, on the afternoon of the 7th instant; he was accompanied by about forty followers from Hikurangi, and about the same number from Kawhia and Aotea. The ostensible object of his visit was to proceed down the coast to see Ngatitahenga. He made a stnrt for his coast journey on Saturday morning, 9th instant, and wa« met on the road by a messenger of the Ngatitahenga, asking him to return to Raglan, as they were coming there to see him. This he did, visiting this township before he returned to the Heads. I saw him every day during his stay here. He seems quite a different man, much more cheerful, is in remarkably good' spirits :in fact, he is like one who has got rid of a heavy load from his mind. I have never seen him anything like it before since I have known him. He visited the township on Monday morning, on which occasion he and several chiefs dined at my house. He says, " Kapai nga korero o Kerei i Hikurangi " — i c., what Sir George Grey said at Hikurangi was good, and it was in consequence of that that he was here. This was the only occasion that I heard him allude to the subject during his stay. There was always some one with him ; had he been by himself I have no doubt he would have said a great deal more. Knowing his peculiarities I refrained from asking him any questions. On the Monday he expressed a wish to see a negro entertainment, and the members of the Raglan Minstrels acceded to his request and gave him and followers a performance, and was told the hall was his to admit those he liked. He replied, "My wish is that the hall be opened to all persons, both Europeans and Natives, as I have come to mis with the Europeans." He and his people seemed delighted with the impromptu performance and subsequent dance. On the 12th instant some of the settlers invited Tawhiao and his principal chiefs to a public dinner, at which some one hundred Natives sat down. The toasts that were proposed were those of "Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen," "His Excellency the Governor," and " The Guests of the Evening," the name of Tawhiao being coupled with it. Tawhiao replied to the following effect: "I am much gratified at the friendly manner I have been received by you on this my first visit amongst you. I have to thank you for the honor which you have done me; and I take this opportunity to thank the storekeepers, publicans, and all the other settlers for their friendliness towards us. I shall shortly return, when I will again embrace the opportunity to mix with you. I have to thank you for your hospitality this evening, as also for the entertainment which you gave me the other evening, the dance, and the music. I have to thank all persons who are helping me to promote good (nga paiwhakahaere tikanga katoa)." After the dinner a dance took place, which Tawhiao enjoyed until early morning. Tv Tawhiao danced with some of the European ladies, and took one of them into supper. Tawhiao's delight seems to have been to mix as much as possible with the Europeans, breakfasting with one, dining with another, and supping with a third. He visited the township nearly every day last week, leaving here for Kawhia on Sunday morning last. The dinner was given to Tawhiao as a token of friendship, and in appreciation of the good behaviour of the Natives during their stay here, which was most orderly, quite equal to their conduct at the late Hikurangi meeting. I had a long conversation with Hone te One, who informed me that Tawhiao had publicly stated, in the presence of all the men, women, and children of Kawhia, that he approved of what was said at Hikurangi, his expression being, "Kawini te pai ojiga korero o Kerei i Hikurangi," what Sir George Grey said at Hikurangi was good, and that he regretted the terms were not signed, as he feared, if any accident happened to Sir George Grey, his successor might not fulfil them. Hone also told me that he paid one more meeting was all that was required to settle everything, and that he had one more mattfir to mention to you. but what it was he did not state. In Hone's opinion, Tawhiao will accept the proposals, and I must say, so far as I could learn from the Natives, there appears to be a general opinion that the terms will be accepted. One and all considered Tawhiao's visit here, and his subsequent friendly intercourse with the settlers, to be a certain indication of their acceptance at no distant period. Honana and Te Tuhi arrived here the same day as Tawhiao. They came from Alexandra via th« Waipa Road ; they returned by the same route. Should any obstructions arise, they will emanate from such men as those two cousins whom Tawhiao complains very much against for interfering and thwarting hitn. Natives state that he seldom goes near their settlement at Kopua, or sees them except at large gatherings. Natives also say Tawhiao would not have come here had he known they were coining. The best of order was maintained and the most friendly feeling displayed, not a single unpleasantness arising throughout their somewhat prolonged and unexpected visit. The general impression amongst the Natives is that Tawhiao would never have made this visit here had he not made up

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his mind to accept the late proposals, which, barring accidents, it is supposed will be publicly accepted during the coming summer, before which time he may make his promised visit here. Tawhiao has asked the Tainui people to build a large house for him at the Kopua, a settlement about a mile and a half from this township. No doubt this house is for his next visit. The Natives intend to commence its erection at once. I cannot attribute Tawhiao's visit to any other reason than that generally given by the Natives. 1 trust this interpretation will in a few months prove itself to be the correct one. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. R. S. Bush. •

No. 3. Mr. S. Locke, E.M., to the TJndeb Secbetaby, Native Department. Sib,— Napier, Bth July, 1878. I have the honor to forward the following report on this district: — Hawke's Bat. The general state of the Natives in this part of the country for the past year has been quiet, the old trouble of disputed titles being the principal source of uneasiness. It is to be hoped, for the sake of facilitating the speedy settlement of several of these cases, and others in a like position in other parts of the country, that the new Native Lands Act will give ample powers to the Court for the subdivision of lands that have been partially dealt with or that have not been dealt with at all, and for appointing successors to deceased persons, laying down also some rules in cases of minority, for the defining of the ages of grantees. As the law now stands, a minor may remain such for any unknown period. To these subjects I have referred in last year's and former reports. Powers are also required by Judges of Court to authorize surveyors and valuators to enter on lands for the purposes of subdivision and valuations. Large quantities of grain have been grown here by the Maoris during the past year. The Omahu and Pakowhai schools, I am sorry to say, have both been closed for some time. I would draw attention to the anomalous position of owners under "The Mohaka and "Waikare District Act, 1870," and would suggest that this Act be incorporated in any new Native Lands Act that may be in contemplation. Waikoa. I am Happy to say the Natives here are still persevering in agricultural pursuits, and are going in largely for wheat, and have proposed erecting a flour-mill. Some gross attempts have been made at the Mahia in defying the law, but, as Dr. Ormond, Resident Magistrate, has fully reported on this subject, it is needless to comment on it. A dray-road to Poverty Bay, by the inland track, to open up all lands lately purchased by the Government in that neighbourhood, is much required. The school appears to be a success. Poteetx Bay. The Natives of this district are orderly inclined. One of the great drawbacks to the prosperity of this intrinsically rich part of the country is the complicated state of the titles. In the case of lands that passed the Poverty Bay Commission, through the want of any rule laid down by law to guide the Judges in cases of subdivision, and in cases of lands that have more recently passed the Court under the various Land Acts, the want of rules to guide in subdivisions, and the great number of grantees entered in the memorials of ownership (as I stated last year, in some cases over three hundred names have been enrolled) without any defined rights, or extent of claims, or note whether any are minors or not, or names or presumed age of minors stated, &c. A large extent of country in this district is partially purchased by Government. The land has been surveyed and is waiting for a Land Court to place it in a position to complete the title. It will be essentially necessary, before dealing with the lands, to have at all events the arterial lines of roads through the country carefully defined, and formed at least passable for horse traffic, with gradients for dray traffic. Amongst other roads urgently required are those going through the lands already acquired by Government, along the inland track to Wairoa, and the road up the Poverty Bay Valley to the Oil Springs, thence through to the Te Matei and Waiapu Rivers, along to Kawakawa and Hicks Bay, with branch roads leading to the coast. To make a passable driving road from Poverty Bay to Opotiki, the bush should be felled and burnt two chains wide; on this road I believe a few Native Constabulary are now at work. The great importance of these roads, in a strategic point of view, should not be lost sight of. The great success of the sale of the Patutahi Block shows the rising importance of this district, and should be an inducement to push on settlement. The Maoris are quite alive to this, and, it is said, are making preparations for cutting up and selling a considerable extent of country. Should this scheme of theirs turn out a success, which is to be hoped, it will probably lead to further progress in the same direction, to the mutual benefit of all parties, and stimulate Natives of other parts of the Island to follow the example. I would note that " The East Coast Land Titles Investigation Act, 18G6," the Amendment Act, 1867, and " The East Coast Act, 18(58," have not been repealed. The two Maori schools have been closed for some time ; that at Tologa Bay is still open. Waiapu. The Natives in this district are but little changed of late. Progress cannot be expected until the roads are opened up, and the lands of the district turned to some profitable account by Europeani

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aettlement; thus, by force of example, inducing the Maoris to improve their positions. The scabby sheep have been boiled down during the past year, with the exception of a few retained by one or two owners who objected to the price offered by Government; but these will probably be destroyed shortly. The Land Court sat here lately, presided over by Judge Heale, at which sitting the balance of the lands being acquired by Captain Porter for the Government passed the Court, and the title for which is now in a fair way of being completed. The schools generally in this district are doing well. The valuable oil springs in the Waiapu Valley remain still untouched; also the warm water springs at Tawbiti. Tattpo. The people of this district only require roads being made, on which many of them could be employed, to stimulate them to the further improvement of their lands. The road to Cambridge, also the road from Tapuaeharuru to Tokano, thence on to "Wanganui or Feilding or both by Eotoaira and Murimotu, are much required to develop the resources of the district. A road from Taupo via Tuhua to meet the Alexandra-Waitara Road would also open up mucli country. The school at Tapuaehareru has not been a success. Jt is a question whether it would not be better to amalgamate the several schools scattered over the country, and have three or four good schools, well provided, for the whole Island. The Tuhae or TTrewera will, I presume, be reported on from the Bay of Plenty. I would only remark that, at the late visit of several leading chiefs of that tribe to Napier, they expressed a strong desire to improve the roads into their almost inaccessible country, if assisted in doing so by Government. I would strongly urge that this feeling be fostered, and every assistance, where opportunity offers, be given in that direction. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. S. Locke.

Bt Authority : Gkokge Didsbubt, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB7B. Pric. 3d.]