MR WARD'S REPORT ON THE NATIVES IN THIS DISTRICT.

Manawatu Herald, 26 July 1881, Page 2

MR WARD'S REPORT ON THE NATIVES IN THIS DISTRICT.

♦ The following letter from Mr Ward, R.M., to the Under-Secretary Native Department is published in one of the Parliamentary papers to hand : — R. M. Office, Marton, 2Gfch May, 18S1. Sir,— I have the honor, in compliance with your request, to forward you my annual reporb on the Maoris within my district, and, in doing so, have very much pleasure in stating that there has been during the past twelve months a marked improvement in their physical, moral, aud social condition. They do not drink nearly so much alcoholic liquor as they used to ; they are more industrious and saving in their habits ; their houses are cleaner, and they are generally better clothed. I think } tlie great commercial depression that has been experienced in this colony has affected them to a certain extent. They have been forced to understand the value of money, and, knowing that, are moro careful in spending it. I regret to say I find the natives are not sufficiently alive to the importance of educating their children, of which there are ahout 400 in my district under the age of fifteen years. Of this number I should think nearly 200 are of age to be taught in our schools ; yet, not more thau about ten or twelve attend. This ought not to be. I have reson to thiuk that there is a slight improvement in the religious condition of the people. Not much, but a change tendiug in that direction. I again venture to express a hope that the various religious bodies of this colony will not omit the Maoris in preparing their programmes of " work to be done. " I may say I very rarely hear oases in my Courfc where Maoris are the litigants. Iv nearly every instance they settle their own differences aud difficulties at their own kaingas. They appoint a committee of arbitrators, who hear and determine questions and cases brought under their consideration. I canuot conclnde my report without referring io the death of Ihakara Tukumaru of Foxton, and Horomona Torenui of Otaki. Both these natives were men of rank, and have held the office of Native Assessors for many years with credit to themselves and to the satisfaction of those they had to do with. They were both men well advanced in years, and have, I am informed, in years, gone by, been staunch friends of, and stood by, our early colonists in their struggles to maiutain a footing in New Zealand I have, &c, Robert Ward, R.M. Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington.