MAORI CENSUS ANDT NAIVE SCHOOLS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 66, 15 April 1879, Page 3

MAORI CENSUS ANDT NAIVE SCHOOLS.

■ ■■ ■ ■» — ■ We have reoeived particulars of the Maori census, which gives the following results : — Males and females — Over 15 years of age . . 26,355 Under 15 years of age .. 1<5,654 Total males 23,538 Total females ... ... ..19,286 Total, 1878 42,819 Total, 1874 46,016 ■-.' ■■>.. Decrease ... ... 3,197 It is a mournful task to read through the several reports; four- out of five record a decrease in the numbers of the Maoris. Mr Jackson writes from the PapaIrani district:— "There are threa principal causes accounting for the decrease 1 of the native population, let. Their love of drink. 2nd. The sacriliceoi their females to prostitution, often when verjr young, j 3rd. Their change in' mods- of living <and clothing. 1 ' . These are tbfr UEual reasons assigned, added to the reckless exposure of themselves to all weathers^ their want of cleanliness, and the prevalence of diseases of the chest, partly dne to sleeping in - densely crowded Hovels.: At present there seems evßrypr6Bpeo,tiof'/the Maoris being aviliatf .off .the face o f the earth, but we hope that something may 'yet, be done tq oheo'fc tin* ''mortality, which is largely . , due to.ignorance .of they /dmpjest .salutary / OTB.I Jodgiijgvby th^jxepojft;' on: native schools, this ignorance may yet be dispelled by the > goftd' t work ibeing^ done: in these schools, the report of which shows that there has been an increase in the attendance in the South Island of 109 ; in the - Bay of Fleflty schools the average attendance has been about 250 daring the half year, about 450 names being, on the books. N. Z, Times. . ' ...,. ,■■ .