MAORI MILLS.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume I, Issue 3, 1 March 1855, Page 14

MAORI MILLS.

The following Report from the Inspector of Native Mills will no doubt be read with great interest by our Maori friends. The services of Mr. Boyton have been acknowledged on all hands to be most beneficial to the interests of the Native people, and from our own personal knowledge we can say, that the paternal act of the in appointing this gentleman to superintend the Maori Mills is duly appreciated by all the tribes. REPORT. To Major Nugent, Native Secretary. Sir, —Since my last report, I have again visited the mills on the Waikato and Waipa, The new mill at Rangiaowhia is now completed, and in full work, giving very good satisfaction ; the old mill which is nearly worn out, but is still work ing, it is proposed to supercede by a new one as soon as a Millwright can be procured. The mill at Kihekihe repaired by Mr. Clowe, in consequence of the work being so badly done, the payment was for some time in dispute; but, as both parties referred the matter to me, after a careful investigation in the presence of Dr. Harsant the Police Magistrate, the Rev. J. Morgan, and the Maori Chiefs interested, after a careful examination of the work done, the arrangements entered into, the payments already made, and the statement of both parties; I felt it my duty to strike off £55 from the amount charged,

allowing £IOO for the work instead of £155 as demanded. I have also made an arrangement with Messrs. Culbert & Walker to finish, and put in rough, working order, the mill at Matamata, for the sura of £IOO, agreeably to your instructions. The mill at Mangatae, near Rev. J. Morgan's, is in a forward state. A new mill has also been agreed for at Tireke. The natives of Maungatautari are desirous of building a new mill, aud also another at Kawhia. The mill at Patetere is nearly finished. And preparations are making for commencing the mill at Mangarewa, near Rev. J Battle's, on the Waipa, by Mr. Chandler. I also visited the mill at Mohoanui, and assisted in dressing the stones, and making a little alteration in the dressing machine. Tke new mill at Te Rore will be commenced immediately. The mill at Whatawhata was undergoing a little repair on the dressing machine j but had been at work through the season. At Kaitotehe the natives are rebuilding their dam, so as to be ready for grinding their next crop. The new mill at Tuakau, built by Messrs Cox & Chandler, is now finished, and answers well; and so satisfied are the natives with their mill, that they only waited for my inspection and certificate, to give the builders £IOO in addition to the amount contracted for. The natives of Wakapaka on the Waipa, a little below Whatawhata, are wishing Mr. Chandler to build them a mill; the Chief Tangere, has requested me to draw up an agreement, provided Mr. Chandler after ascertaining the price of materials in Town, offers such terms as you may think it advisable to accept. The Chief Katipa of Waiuku wants Mr. Cox to build a mill for him; but as he was not there when we came through last week, we were not able to make any arrangements with him respecting it. With respect to teaching the Maories to mauage their own mills, I have not yet had an opportunity of carrying out, as I have not been enabledto stay long enough in one place to give the necessary instructions; and it is the opinion of those persons whom I have consulted, as to the best means of carrying it out, that it will not be practicable unless some separate establishment be instituted for that express purpose. Your obedient, Humble servant, (Signed) H. Boyton, Auckland, Dec. 21, 1854.