REPORTS FROM OFFICERS IN NATIVE DISTRICTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5105, 3 August 1877, Page 3

REPORTS FROM OFFICERS IN NATIVE DISTRICTS.

The reports presented to Parliament this session from officers in the several native districts of the colony are on the, whole of a satisfactory character. Mr. White, R.M., stationed at Mongonui, states that the natives in his district continue to conduct themselves peacefully and loyally, and that with the exception of some slight local excitement, caused by a judgment of the Lands Court in March last, nothing has occurred to disturb the even tenor of their way around Mongonui. The crops in the neighborhood have been very good this year, which Mr. White regards as being a fortunate circumstance, in the absence of anything like active stirring progress : in the district. There has been less fatal sickness than for many years past, and very little crime.; From Hokianga Mr. Von Sturmer, E.M., reports that there is but little change to record in the conduct or condition of the natives residing in this district. As hitherto, they continue to behave themselves in an orderly and peaceable manner. The number of cases brought into the Resident Magistrate’s Court during the last twelve months, in which natives have been concerned, are eight criminal. This list does not include any serious offences. There have been also forty civil cases ; and every judgment given has been most promptly settled. There have been several intertribal disputes about the boundaries, survey, and ownership of lauds, and though they have given some little anxiety and trouble, they have in every instance been peaceably and satisfactorily arranged. There has not been much progress made in agriculture. Drunkenness ■is not so prevalent as it was formerly, and the native schools in operation in the locality are all doing good work. From the Bay of Islands Mr. E. M. Williams reports that the natives are quietly pursuing their ordinary avocations—kauri gum digging, felling and squaring timber, and whaling. The great drawback to the progress of the natives in bis district, Mr. Williams considers, is their habit of wasting their time and means in feasting, and spending their money on hahungas and tangis. There has been a good deal of sickness in the district, the prevalent complaints being typhoid fever and dropsy. The decisions given in the local Court have been always readily submitted to, and this magistrate believes that, the natives are beginning to appreciate the justice of English laws, and are anxious that they should be administered alike to both races.

Mr. Kemp, the Civil Commissioner at Auckland, reports that the natives in his district are supporting law and order, and that there is a diminution in crime brought before his Court, but a good many debt oases. As to their social state, Mr. Kemp says: “No change for the better is really perceptible ; the improvident and generally indolent habits of the native people continue to, mark a slow progress, if any, and from' this standpoint alone it is to be feared that they must fall very far short in the race of civilisation that lies before them. The general health of the natives in the vicinity of Auckland Is good ; - the mortality hot quite so'great as in the preceding year, while in the treatment of their sick a much greater faith in the skill of the medical profession prevails, and a desire in extreme cases to become inmates of the Colonial Hospital.” Some of the parents seem' to be.impressed with the value of education for their children ; but whether the feeling is a permanent one may, Mr. Kemp thinks, be doubtful. As to holders of land he sayg'i—“ Whether as individuals or in communities, experience Has, I think, shown that the trade dn land has tempted many avaricious persons to throw off and ignore the obligation''due to the tribe or community long recognised as a custom, usage, or native law for common' defence, and thus to deprive the weaker members of their own and children’s inheritance. ‘fA’’ remedy suggests itself, I think, in the affirming of titles to individuals as a rule, , and thus render .the occupation and purchase of land more equitable, and at ■ the same time offer greater facilities to lona fide colonists for the peaceful and prosperous ■settlement of the country. The abandonment also by the Government at this stage of the purchase of native lands seems to be not only wise but politic for many reasons.” Mr. Packey, J.P., of the Thames, reports that there is no marked change in the condition of the natives in that district. With some few exceptions, he does not think much progress has been made in industrial pursuits. As regards the state of feeling between the Maoris and their pakeha neighbors, he is of opinion that “on the whole nothing could be more satisfactory.” Major Mair, K.M. for Alexandra, states that during the past twelve months there has been a total absence of the political gatherings for which the Hauhau party had become so notorious. Not that these meetings were unproductive of good, for even when called in an unfriendly spirit to Europeans, they acted as a sort of safety-valve, and each “ village Hampden” having aired his eloquence, and, more important still, all the food in the neighborhood being consumed or wasted, the people dispersed, satisfied that things would “ remain as they were for the present.” But now the necessity for these huis does not apparently exist, the native mind being less unsettled, and it being generally understood that the “ native difficulty,” or as much of it as now exists, would be arranged “ some day by Tawhiao and the Government.” In the meantime, the bulk of the people, tolerably content with the actual state of things, are becoming more industrious, and yearly bring larger quantities of produce to the nearest markets.

Sir. C. Marshall, of Port Waikato, reports that the natives of his district are in favor of the education of their children by European teachers, and that intemperance is decreasing. There has been some opposition by a section of the Ngatitipa tribe to the erection of trigonometrical stations on their land, which led to a stoppage of the survey. The crops have been abundant, and the people are in a better position than they were last year. Mr. B. S. Bush, of Eaglan, speaks favorably of the state of the natives in that locality, as does also Mr. Campbell, of Waiapu. : Dr. Ormond, of Wairoa, Hawke’s Bay, says there is no event of importance to record in his district amongst the natives for the past twelve months. In consequence of heavy floods during the early part of the year, the natives lost their crops, and had it not been for credit being given to them by the local storekeepers, an appeal would have had to be made to the Government for assistance. Owing, however, to the facilities for credit the natives have got into debt, and in some individual cases owe from £2OO to £SOO. Drunkenness, prostitution, and larceny are on the decrease, but there is a mania for gambling. Some slight land disputes have occurred, and in one instance a surveyor was warned off the ground.

By the - negotiations of Dr.’ Ormond and his . native assessors, Hamana and Toha,.the matter has been settled amicably. Another new school has been ; applied for by the Uriwera ’tribe at Onepotb. 211 stand of arms have been, recovered from the natives in the locality. Mr. S. Locke, R.M. of Napier, reports that during the past year matters in relation to the natives have gone on quietly, with the exception of the laud disputes, which are now the subject of litigation in the law courts. A large area of land is being acquired from the Maoris on the Bast Coast, which will tend greatly to develop the resources of the country, especially if dray roads are made from Poverty Bay to Wairoa and Waiapu. The Maori population in the district is about the same as last year, or perhaps rather less. “Too much stress cannot be laid on the importance of continuing the education *f, the rising generation of Maoris in the English language. Some movement towards teetotalism and forming lodges, and some excitement showing a revival in relation to religious matters, have taken place along the coast, which, it is to be hoped, is a sign of improvement, for it has been remarked, ‘ The religion of mankind is the effect of improvement, and not the cause of it.’ In regard to their political condition they are taking much. more interest in the elections going on around them, and as to what takes place at Wellington, than formerly; and discuss questions affecting themselves closely, and in these, discussions generally evince a great dislike to road board and all other rates, and taxation in general. In this, perhaps, they show a feeling which actuates others besides themselves; but, in regard to many of their political expressions, it may be said, as I remarked in regard to the education of' their children! too much progress must not be expected in one generation. It takes a lengthened period to raise the natural standard of a whole people.” Major Brown, of iNew Plymouth, says that the natives are gradually but steadily improving in their feeling of submission to the Europeans, and accepted the carrying out of the confiscation of the balance of land between the Pafea and Waingongoro rivers without serious demur. Major Brown says :—I have to; express my indebtedness to the chiefs Hone Pihama and Taurua for their able assistance and advice on many occasions. The latter felt very keenly his having been taken prisoner to Otago, and the reproach made to him at Wanganui by Mete Kiugi, “that his (Taurua’s) opinion was now of no value, as he was only a slave.” His appointment as an assessor has been greatly appreciated by him, as a recognition by the Government that his rank and influence have not been seriously impaired by his deportation to Dunedin, which he speaks of as “ the darkest day of his life,” while the day he went on board the steamship Luna to return was “ the brightest day of his existence ” The natice police force was considerably reduced last year, as Captain Wilson, who is in charge of it, considered that it could be done without impairing its efficiency. I cannot as yet recommend any further reduction, as it has been useful in preventing theft, and recovering stolen property, even on the Waimate side of the Waingongoro River. Mr. Wood, of Wanganui, says the land question is the all-absorbing one amongst the natives of his district. He considers that too much effort cannot at present be made to meet the reasonable, claims of the Maori population, with the view of occupying their active and restless minds, and thereby preventing disaffection and perhaps overt rebellion. The native is still a power in the country, and it would be a great mistake to treat his demands and representations with indifference. The country has now arrived at another crisis, and great care, foresight, and tact are requisite to tide the colony safely through this period of its history, so that an amicable solution of the native difficulty may yet be attained to, after so many years of peace, secured only by the hitherto wise and forbearing administration of the Government of . the country as exhibited in its conduct of native affairs. Upon the whole, an increasing disposition is shown by the Maoris to appeal to the law for a settlement of all difficulties and disputes. Of the moral and physical condition of the natives in his district, Mi’. Wood says he cannot speak so favorably as he could wish. In agriculture and industrial pursuits fair progress has been made. Mr. Ward, of Marton, speaks on the whole favorably of the Maoris in his district, but regrets their fondness for "drinking and card playing. There are, however, he thinks, indications of an improvement in this direction. Mr. Hamlin, of Maketu, considers that the aspect of native affairs in his district is with one exception satisfactory. That exception is, that an idea prevails that the death of two natives was attributable to witchcraft, and that threats to murder three people in consequence have been made ; but Mr. Hamlin does not apprehend that these threats are at all likely to be carried out. The Rev. J. W. Stack in his report on the Canterbury Maoris says ;—Though still suffering from the effects of the strain put upon their limited resources, by their contributions to Mr. tTaiaroa’s fund for prosecuting their land claims in the English law courts, the natives'generally are better off this year than they have been for some time past. Mr. IL T. Clarke reports that the Government have purchased 80,000, and confiscated 50.000 ■ acres; in the Tauranga ' District. He says :—“I estimate at the very least 15.000 acres have been acquired from the natives by private individuals, making a total of 145,000 acres. By the Native Lands Act, 1873, sec. 24, there is a proviso that ‘No land reserved for the support and maintenance of the natives, as also endowments for their'benefit, shall be considered a sufficiency for such purpose, unless the reserves so made for these objects added together shall be equal to ah aggregate amount of not less than fifty acres per head for every native man, woman, and child.” Mr. Clarke remarks with regard to the opposition of the Pirirakau tribe :— ■“ I would also suggest that every possible means should be used, short of a display'of force, to induce the Ngatirangiwewehi natives to return to their own country. So long as such a formidable band of malcontents remam in Tauranga, they will encourage the Pirirakau in taking up any position they choose to assume, and be a constant source of anxiety to the, Government, and. annoyance to Ngaiterangi and their European neighbors.” ' : The expressions of grief amongst the natives at the death of Sir Donald McLean seem to have been very general throughout the colony. He, appears to have been almost universally regarded by the Maoris as a true and tried friend, whose loss cannot easily be replaced.