9

G.- 2

V.— Native Schools. In this report I have purposely omitted any mention of Native schools, as I shall have the honor shortly to forward, as District Inspector for the Bay of Plenty and Lake districts, a special report on this subject. I have, &c., Heebebt W. Beabant. The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Resident Magistrate.

No. 9. Major Maie to the Uhdeb Seceetaet, Native Department. Sic, — • Alexandra, Waikato, 25th May, 1874. In accordance with instructions conveyed in your circular of the 24th ultimo, I have the honor to submit the following general report on Native matters in the "Waikato district. Since the events of April and May ef last year, the district has been very quiet. Several meetings have been called by the Maori King at Te Kuiti, and though they have been little more than gatherings for the purpose of feasting, enough has been said to show that the majority of the Kingites desire to live in peace. The visits of Tawhiao, Tv, Tapihana, and other chiefs to Alexandra, were all intended to show that a friendly feeling is uppermost. The proclamations against dealing in land have not been revoked, but there is good reason for believing that the day is not far distant that they will be. An old chief remarked the other day, that their lands were " held together by a rope of rotten flax!" It was, I believe, supposed that the commencement of the railway works near Ngaruawahia would be the signal for some very strong expression of feeling on the part of the Kingites: I can only say that, to me, they have appeared utterly indifferent in the matter. Another strong proof of an improved state of feeling is the increasing desire to grow wheat, and to come as near our boundary as possible for that purpose. Several thousand bushels were harvested at Kopua and other settlements on the Waipa last summer, and sold in Alexandra. Preparations are now being made on a much larger scale. A number of Eewi's people have come from Kawhia to form a kainga not more than two miles beyond the confiscated line, and he informs me that if things go on smoothly he will next year live there permanently. Each year shows an increasing trade with the interior. I think that the physical status of the Natives of this district is about the average. There is a good deal of sickness prevalent, but nothing to call for special remark. As usual, there has been a large consumption of spirits at the different huis, but latterly some of the leading chiefs have forbidden the traffic ; but, on the other hand, unfortunately, Tawhiao, Wahanui, and others set an example of almost habitual drunkenness to the people. This conduct on the part of Tawhiao is losing him the esteem of his followers. It is reported that at a recent meeting at Kuiti, Rewi said openly that their " King thought of nothing but rum, and was not fit to manage their affairs !" There is a great absence of cordiality between Waikato and a section of Ngatimaniapoto, more especially between Rewi and the chiefs of the other tribe [Waikato]. This feeling culminated at the March meeting, when Rewi said that he was weary of Waikato procrastination, and would come out himself and see Mr. McLean. Manuwhiri has taken very little part in public affairs lately, but he is periodically active. There has not been much intercourse with the interior for the last few weeks, in consequence of a puru established by Tawhiao's advisers. Various reasons have been assigned for this act. One is that it is intended to check the return of Ngatiteata to Waiuku, and the contemplated departure of a portion of Ngatipou to Lower Waikato ; and another, that Tawhiao intends shortly to lay some important matters relative to peace-making before his people, and that in the meantime he wishes to keep them together; and a third, that he wishes them to witness his interview with some officer of the Government, for whose entertainment a house has been built at Waitomo [near Orahiri]. lam of opinion that there is a certain amount of truth in each of these reports. Purukutu keeps close at Kuiti. Rewi told me the other day that I need not heed any of the rumours of Purukutu's movements, for that he had told him in the presence of Tawhiao that if he attempted anything that could be construed into a hostile movement, he would " with his own hands give him up to the Pakeha !" I have little to report about Ngatiraukawa. Those on the west bank of the Waikato yet remain staunch Kingites, while the rest of the tribe on the other side of the river still contrive to steer a middle course. The Kupapa or loyal Natives in this district do not call for any special remark. They assembled in great force at Ngaruawahia last month, to meet His Excellency the Governor, and spoke very well. A number of them have been enrolled as Militia and employed road-making. They do not, lam sorry to say, improve their condition in any material degree, and will never, I fear, be a prosperous people. European settlement, on the other hand, is progressing steadily, in defiance of the temporary checks produced by sensational telegrams and canard-mongera. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. W. G. Maie.

No. 10. The Resident Magistbate, Eaglan, to the Hon. the Natite Mihister. Sib,— Eaglan, 21st May, 1874. It affords me great pleasure this year to be able to report more favourably of the Maoris in this district than I have done previously. I have the honor to state that they are generally orderly and law-abiding, and as loyal as any Natives in New Zealand. GL—2.