THE CHATHAM ISLANDS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 329, 1 December 1875, Page 2

THE CHATHAM ISLANDS.

By last mail we received a Parliamentary paper, entitled, “ Further Reports from officers in Native districts.” The following extracts from a report from the Resident Magistrate of the Chatham Islands (Mr. Deighton) will be interesting to our readers :— At the last census, taken in 1874, the’ population on the island consisted of— Maoris, 23 males, 29 females ; Morioris, 38 males, 25 females ; since which time I have had arrivals from New Zealand, 13 males and 11 females, making a total J of Maoris and Morioris, 139 —a veryremnant of the population once residing here. I am given, however, to understand I that we shall have some more from New Zealand, consisting principally of young people who were born on the island. I am glad to report that the Natives here are in a fairly prosperous condition, most of them owning small flocks of sheep, I besides horses and cattle. Some of them I own as many as 1,000 to 1,500 sheep ; and I as theyare atverylittleexpense as regards j shepherding, &c., they manage to five I very comfortably on the proceeds. 1 A few own wooden houses, and the re- 1 mainder are procuring timber for that I purpose. Food also is plentiful, there I being an endless supply of sea fish, 1 besides fresh-water eels and game. The climate is very healthy, and, 4 although rather wet during the winter] months, not so cold as in. many parts ofi New Zealand. In spare times the Natives have been I very profitably engaged in gathering i fungus, which now realises a very good 1 price. About ninety bales were exported I to New Zealand last year, at an average I of from £4 to £5 per bale; and, as the I price is now very much higher than atl that time, I estimated the spring crop! will realize nearly £l,OOO. I am sorry to say that for some year n past there has been no minister of any’ denomination on the island; but as the Europeans have opened negotiations for lhe.purpose of procuring the services of a clergyman of the Church of England, I hope the natives will be benefited by the

same. There is still a large Native church standing at Waitangi, which might be repaired to be made available, but at present it is in a very dilapidated condition.' I have much pleasure in adverting to the very amicable feeling that exists between the settlers and the Natives. lor a long time after my arrival there was an unpleasant feeliug existing, owing to the absurd affair that took place in Mr. La Nauze’s time, but it is never alluded to now', except in a joking manner. The only disagreement of importance that has occurred since I have been here, among the natives, was one about six months ago, relative to the right of running some sheep belonging to Apitia on the Mangape block. As things were looking rather serious, I called a meeting of all parties concerned, to discuss the affair amicably. The meeting was rather stormy, and the contending parties very stubborn, as is usually the case w'here land is the question. I managed, however, after two days’ talk, to arrange the J affair to the satisfaction of all parties," since which I have heard no more of it.