EDUCATIONAL RESERVES.

71

A.—No. 3.

sation for the loss of earthly privileges. These Natives were christened about twenty-eight years ago, through the preaching of Native converts from the North ; they were visited occasionally by Bishop Selwyn and the Wesleyan missionaries who were stationed in Otago. But when our Diocesan Mission was started in 1859, the people had become very indifferent to the ministrations of religion, and very lax in their morals. Ten years ago, there were only two buildings set apart for Divine service. One was in such a dilapidated condition that it could only be used in fine weather, and the other was little better. Then the services were rarely attended by any but the lay readers and their families. In six villages Divine service was only occasionally performed in private houses. Now in six out of eight villages, there are substantial wooden churches, filled Sunday after Sunday with devout worshippers. Ten years ago it was impossible to go through the service anywhere without having to pause occasionally to rebuke the congregation for coughing, spitting on the walls, changing seats, comparing books, going in and out of church, or allowing their children to play hide-and-seek about the building. Now, they everywhere behave themselves (luring Divine service in. a devout and seemly manner. Ten years ago, there were no schools. Now, thanks to the liberal grants of the General Government, we have a boarding school, with sixteen children, who can all read, write, and speak English. The eldest pupil is not fifteen, and yet they make all their own clothes, cook their own food, and clean their own rooms. In every village there are lay readers who hold Sunday and week-day services, Sunday school, Bible classes, and who visit the sick, and prepare candidates for baptism and confirmation, and who do all this without receiving or expecting any payment for their services. I have spoken of the poverty of the Maoris, but that does not prevent their giving. In one place seventy Natives raised £100 in one year towards building a church; the amount represented 2,000 backloads of firewood humped about the streets of Lyttelton. In another place, about the same number contribute annually £25 towards the missionary's stipend, and an equal amount towards the boarding school. With the exception of the Wesleyans, who employ a most excellent Native minister at Rapaki, our church alone provides for the spiritual instruction of the Maoris in this diocese. If time permitted I. could refer to many topics of interest connected with the subject of this paper, but I must now bring my remarks to a close by commending the Christchurch Maori Mission to your sympathy and your prayers.

PROVINCE OF OTAGO.

Evidence taken before Mr. Cooper, at Dunedin.

Thursday, 28th April, 1870. Reserve No. 1, 2 acres 1 rood 26 perches, City of Dunedin. — Site for Hospital. Edward Hulme, being duly sworn, states (Record copy, book P. 1, p. 9, grant of 2 acres 1 rood 26 perches, in Moray Place, City of Dunedin, produced) :My name is Edward Hulme. I am Provincial Surgeon of the Province of Otago. I know the land conveyed by the grant before me. It is at present occupied by the Corporation as a public market. There is no building occupied as an hospital on this ground. The old hospital stands on it, but is not now used as such. The building now used as an hospital is that which was erected for the Exhibition. lam not aware of any revenue derived from this land being devoted to the uses of the hospital. City of Dunedin, Sections 21 to 40 inclusive, Block 23, 5 acres. (Record book, P. 2, p. 39, produced.) I know this block of land. It is occupied by the present General Hospital. No part of the land is let to produce a revenue. It is about to be fenced in. The hospital is a brick and stone building, capable of containing from 140 to 150 patients. The average number on the books is about 130. The expenses of the institution are defrayed by vote of the Provincial Council. The cost of the institution is a little over £6,000 a year. Besides the number of patients given above, there is a very large number of out-patients who are treated at this institution, amounting to several thousands in a year. City of Dunedin, Cemetery Reserve, 15 acres 1 rood 12 perches. Joseph Morgan Massey, being duly sworn, states (Record copy, book P. 2, p. 30, produced) : I am Town Clerk. I know this piece of ground. It is occupied as a cemetery. It is now closed. Part of the reserve is unoccupied. The reason for discontinuing the use of the cemetery was on account of its position, as there was danger of the drainage coming into the city. The land is held by the Superintendent. It is not used in any way. City of Dunedin, Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, Block No. 1, containing 2 acres 1 rood 1 perches. (Record copy, book P. 2, p. 43, produced.) I know this piece of ground. It is not used. It is unfit for a cemetery, being almost perpendicular. It is of no use for any purpose. The Corporation have endeavoured to lease it, but could not get an offer for it. The General Cemetery is a part of the Town Belt. It is managed partly by the Corporation, partly by the Church of Rome, and partly by the Jewrs. I believe it is not granted to any one. 19