"THE NATIVE LICENSING ACT, 1878" (REPORTS FROM OFFICERS IN NATIVE DISTRICTS RELATING TO).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1879 Session II, G-10

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Sess. 11.—1879. NEW ZEALAND.

"THE NATIVE LICENSING ACT, 1878" (REPORTS FROM OFFICERS IN NATIVE DISTRICTS RELATING TO).

Laid upon the Table by the Hon. Mr. JBn/cc, with the leave of the House. No. 1. Mr. G-. Kelly to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sib, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Mongonui, 20th August, 1879. In accordance with instructions contained in your circular ietter No. 7, of 22nd April, 1 have the honor to inform you that I called a meeting of all the principal chiefs in the district, which was held at Ahipara on the sth instant, and laid before them "The Native Licensing Act, 1878," which I full}' explained to them, and endeavoured to persuade them to bring into operation within the district; but the majority were opposed to the Act, and did not wish to bring it into force. They stated that they were quite satisfied with the working of the present Act, and had the fullest confidence in the two Native Assessors appointed under "The Outlying Districts Sale of Spirits Act, 1870" (Timoti Puhipi and Waka Rangaunu), who have always opposed the issue of licenses in the district when such were not really necessary. But one house situated at Hukateri, tweuty-five miles from the nearest Native settlement, had been licensed, which would come within the jurisdiction of the Act were it passed, and this house they considered most necessary for the accommodation of travellers. I am very glad to be able to add that the Natives of this district are becoming a very sober people. It is very rarely that a Native even iv the township is to be seen indulging too freely ; and I can corroborate also their statement relative to the judicious manner in which the Assessors performed their duties. Several attempts have been made by Europeans to reopen a house at Ahipara (which was closed over twelve months ago), but the Natives, through their Assessors, have always firmly opposed the issue of a license, on the ground that they are better off without a publichouse. I have, &c, Geokge Kelly, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Interpreter. •

No. 2. Mr. G-. A. I'beece to the Undee Secbetaky, Native Department. Sib, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Opotiki, 25th August, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular No. 7, of the 22ud of April last, referring to " The Native Licensing Act, 1878." In reply, I beg to state that 1 have brought the matter under the notice of the different tribes iv this district, but only two hapus have expressed their wish to avail themselves of the Act: indeed, it would be very difficult to bring it into operation in this district, except in the Urewera country, ■without claims for compensation for closing the publichouses. As the houses in the Native portion of the district are well conducted, 1 have not deemed it advisable to urge the adoption of the Act by the Natives who live in the vicinity of these houses. On the 30th ultimo 1 held a meeting of the Ngatirua section of the Whakatohea Tribe and the Ngaitai, of Torere, at the Courthouse here. Those hapus expressed a wish to have the Act brought into operation. They asked me to keep back the letter until they had elected a committee from the other hapus, which they have failed to do. I therefore forward their petition without the names of the committee. Even in this case the boundary will just escape a publichouse close to a Native settlement situated within the proposed locality. In the event of the Act being brought in force in this portion of the district it will be necessary to place a surveyor at my disposal for a few days. I would add that the Natives drink very little at the publichouses near their settlements; also, that no such houses are kept by Natives in this district—they drink far more when iv town 5 and, as there is some

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doubt whether the Town of Opotiki is a town within the meaning of "The Outlying Districts Sale of Spirits Act, 1870," or not, consequently "The Sale of Spirits Ordinance, 1847," has not been enforced by the police. I beg to suggest that "The Outlying Districts Sale of Spirits Act, 1870," be amended, and that the towns in which the Act is in force should be clearly defined. In conclusion, I beg to state that I delayed sending in this report until I had ascertained the general feeling of the Natives on the subject. I have, &c, Geoege A. Peeece, R.M. The Under Secretary, Native Department, "Wellington. Enclosure in No. 2. [Teansi.ation.] Fbiend,— Opotiki, 20th July, 1879. Salutation?. Will you send our petition to the Governor, to have the Native Licensing Act proclaimed in our district. These are the boundaries of the locality: Commencing at the mouth of the Torohanga Creek, thence by inland line of the surveyed road until it strikes the Waiaua River, thence to a peg at the back of the Omarumatu Hotel, thence following the Awapirau Stream to Te Hou, theiice to Puketapu Point, thence by the sea-coast to Hawai, thence in a direct line to the southern extremity of the confiscation line, thence following the said line until it strikes the Torohanga Stream, thence by the course of the said stream. Wiremu Kingi. Te Henaru Tarui. Awanui Aperotanga. Marino Kurei. Ranapia. Pera. Rawiri. Hemi Karepatata. The Hon. Mr. Sheehan. Eru "Waikapu.

No. 3. Mr. H. W. Bbabant to the Undek Seceetaey, Native Department. Sir, — Native Office, Tauranga, 31st August, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular letter of the 22nd April, on the subject of bringing " The Native Licensing Act, 1878," into force within my districts, and to make a preliminary report as follows :— 1. I beg to submit that the Act hardly seems suitable either to the Te Papa or the Tauranga Licensing District — certainly not to the former, which consists of the Town of Tauranga and the adjacent lands settled on by Europeans. In the Tauranga Licensing District there are at present four licensed houses—three at Katikati and one on the Taupo Road. I have indicated by the schedule of boundaries and plan herewith a district which might be proclaimed under the Native Act if the Hon. the Native Minister thinks it desirable. At present there are no licensed houses -within it. The chiefs are divided in opinion on the subject, and cannot be said to be in favour of the Act being brought into force. 2. In the Maketu District the Natives are everywhere in a majority, and I have taken every opportunity since the receipt of your circular to bring the Act under the notice of the chiefs, but it is only in the Ohinemutu portion of the district that they seem willing to co-operate. I held a meeting at that place on the subject on the 11th ultimo. The meeting was a large one, and a majority of the Natives present were in favour of the Native Licensing Act being brought into operation, their idea being that the hotels at present licensed (two) should be shut. The course I should recommend, however, would be that these hotels should be allowed to remaiu for the use of European travellers, but that it should be made illegal to sell to Natives. It was resolved to prepare a petition on the subject, which has been or will be forwarded to you. With the assistance of the District Surveyor I have divided the Maketu District into four parts, a tracing and schedule of boundaries of which I forward herewith. It does not seem necessary at present to define the district on tho ground. To avoid unnecessary trouble I have included Rotorua and Rotoiti in one district. The Rotorua District is the only one in respect to which I can at present report that there is any disposition on tho part of the Natives to bring the Act into force; but I will again bring the matter before the chiefs of the other districts as occasion offers. I have, &c, llehbeet "W. Bbabant, E.M. The Under Secretary, Native Department, "Wellington.

Botodabies or Maketu Licensing Distbict Subdivisions. Maketu Division. —Commencing at Trig. Station L at tlie mouth of the "Wairakei Creek on the sea-coast of the Bay of Plenty, thence following confiscation boundary line in a south-westerly direction to trig, station on the summit of Otara, thence in a south-westerly direction in a direct line following confiscation boundary to trig, station on the summit of Otanewainuku, thence in an east and southerly direction in a direct line to the southern boundary of the Kaikokopu Block at the Kaikokopu River, thence following the southern boundary of the Kaikokopu Block to the Pungakawa River at southeastern extremity of said block, thence in a due east direction by a straight line until it intersects the confiscation boundary line, thence in a northerly direction following confiscation boundary line to the mouth of the Waitahanui River at Otam&rak&u on the sea-coast of the Bay of Plenty, thence following the coast-line of the Bay of Plenty in a north-westerly direction to Trig." Station L at the mouth of ■Wairakei Creek, the point of commencement.

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Matata Division. —Commencing at the mouth of the Waitahanui River at Otamarakau on the sea-coast of the Bay of Plenty, thence following the confiscation boundary line in a southerly direction to its intersection with the confiscation boundary line about one mile to the eastward of trig, station on the summit of Maungawhakamana, thence in an east and northerly direction following confiscation boundary line to trig, station on the summit of Poutanaki, thence in a north-easterly direction in a direct line to trig, station at Wahieroa on the sea-coast of the Bay of Plenty, thence in a north-westerly direction following the sea-coast line of the Bay of Plenty to the mouth of the Waitahanui River at Otamarakau on the sea-coast of the Bay of Plenty, the point of commencement. Botorua Division. —Commencing at a Trig. Station on the summit of Otanewainuku, thence in a southerly direction in a direct line to a trig, station on the summit of Haparangi, thence in a northeasterly direction in a direct line to trig, station on the summit of Whakapoungakau, thence in an east and southerly direction in a direct line to trig, station on the summit of Maungawhakamana, thence in an east and northerly direction in a direct line to south-west angle of intersection of confiscation boundary line, thence in a northerly direction following confiscation boundary line to a point on said line due east of south-eastern extremity of the Kaikokopu Block, thence due west in a direct line to south-eastern extremity of the Kaikokopu Block on the Pungakawa River, thence in a west and northerly direction following the southern boundary of the Kaikokopu Block to the Kaikokopu River, thence in a north-westerly direction in a direct line to trig, station on the summit of Otanewainuku, the point of commencement. Tarawera Division.- —Commencing at trig, station on the summit of Haparangi, thence in a southeasterly direction in a direct line to trig, station on the summit of Kaitahi, thence continuing the same direct line in a south-easterly direction to a point about two and a half miles distant therefrom, thence in a north-easterly direction in a direct line to trig, station on the summit of Poutanaki, thence in a west and southerly direction following confiscation boundary line direct to trig, station on the summit of Maungawhakamana, thence in a west and northerly direction in a direct line to a trig, station on the summit of Whakapoungakau, thence in a south-westerly direction in a direct line to trig, station on the summit of Haparangi, the point of commencement. Boundaries of the Taueanga Maobi District. Commencing at the eastern head of Tauranga Harbour, thence following the coast-line in an easterly direction to Wairakei, thence following the confiscation boundary to Otanewainuku, thence in a straight line to the point where the southern boundary of the Government surveyed block meets the Waimapu River, thence following down the course of the Waimapu River and the eastern coast-line of Tnuranga Harbour to the eastern head of the harbour, the point of commencement, including Matakana and Motuhoa Islands. By Authority : GrEOKGE Didsbuet, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB79. Price 3d.]