7

G.-l

Ngatituwharetoa, from Taupo, not to part with an acre of land anywhere, on any pretence whatever. I have nothing particular to remark about the health of the district: there have been some cases of whooping-cough, but, strange to say, though the disease was very prevalent among the Europeans in Waikato, it does not appear to have spread among the Maoris. The demand for medical aid is increasing, Dr. Blunden, who has been recently appointed Native medical officer, having to bestow a great amount of time as well as medicine upon them. Several chiefs of high standing have died, the principal being Takerei te Rau and Te Wetini Pakuko Natu. The Armed Constabulary arc pushing on the Cambiidge-Taupo Road. The opposition to this work, on the part of a section of the Ngatiraukawa, through whose land the extension of the road will run, is much diminished; but it is understood that the Kingites still offer a formal opposition to the road being carried beyond the southern boundary of the alienated land. Ngatiraukawa are negotiating the sale of several blocks of land to Europeans, and surveys have already been made, with, in some instances, slight opposition. A sitting of the Native Land Court is advertised to take place shortly at Hamilton; there are a great number of cases set down for hearing. Petty larceny and horse-stealing have not decreased, and there have been many summary convictions, and several committals to the Supreme Court; but crimes of a more serious nature are rare. Drunkenness is much less common; there is a little occasionally in the towns, but spirits are not permitted to be used at the Hauhau meetings. Excitement, however, of some kind is indispensable among the young people at their gatherings, and they seek it in the shape of music and dancing. The crops have been good ; grain-growing for market is increasing, and the demand for steel mills and for agricultural implements is, of course, much greater. The Waikatos are still moving towards Hikurangi and Kopua, while Ngatimaniapoto show a disposition to concentrate at Te Kuiti. The " Kupapa," or " Friendlies," are still a long way behind the Hauhaus in prosperity; they do not appear to be any better circumstanced than they were ten years ago. They are by no means a thrifty people. A large party of them (Ngatinaho) came up last year by invitation (so they said) of Manuhiri to cultivate on the Puniu; but, after planting a large quantity of potatoes, and getting up a quarrel with the local Natives about the ground, they left the crop unfenced and untended, and it is now rotting in the field. In conclusion, I may say that the year has not been an eventful one, and that consequently I had not the materials for a lengthy report. The Under Secretary, Native Department, I have, &c, Wellington. W. G. Mair.

No. 9. Mr. W. Harsant, R.M., Raglan, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir,— Raglan, Bth May, 1878. It affords me much satisfaction that I can send a more favourable Maori report this year than I have done for two or three years past. Although on the boundary line, and having so many King Natives living in an.d around the district, yet, altogether, I can say they are law-abiding : certainly we have had no serious crime, and little drunkenness, among them during the year. Perhaps much cannot be said for them on the score of their religious belief, or for their social habits; nevertheless the two races are living on quiet and friendly terms. This has been a remarkably healthy year with the Natives—no epidemic, except whoopingcough, just now; little fever; and I never knew them so well off for food. Still, under these favourable circumstances, they are diminishing in number, one great cause of which is the sterility of their women. Perhaps their partial adoption of European dress and habitations, and their now living so universally on low ground instead of upon the hills, as formerly, tends to bring on the pulmonary and the various other forms of scrofulous disease so prevalent among them. We have had two slight land disputes : one at the Ruapuke, which seems settled; the other at Wainui, at the foot of Kairoi. Mr. Marshall, it was thought, had settled the affair in every respect favourably for the Natives, and I believe a little firmness shown towards them would end it. Just at this time almost all the Natives are gone to Hikurangi. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, W. Harsant, Wellington. Resident Magistrate.