3

a—2.

Assessors, Taurau Kupupa and Henare Te Mo an anui, and, combined with the particulars I was able to collect from other Natives, I have reason to think that the above returns are as nearly as possible correct. According to the last census, 445 was the total Maori population in my district, and 6G the total of the half-caste, and, by comparison with the census taken this year, it will be seen that there is a decrease of 87 in the first-named population and of 13 in the last, which may be attributed in some degree to the circumstance of the Maoris making such frequent changes in their places of residence, in fact leaving altogether their settlements in this district to live with their relations in the adjoining districts of Kaipara and Bay of Islands, or in that of Hokianga. A number of them have also died since the census taken in 1874; some of old age, but more of consumption and other diseases, the latter no doubt engendered in many instances by their excessive indulgence in ardent spirits. It is, however, worthy of remark that within the last year or two the Maoris here have become much more temperate in their habits, and the example set them by their old chief Taurau Kukupa in becoming a Good Templar has, no doubt, been so far productive of good as to cause many of his people, previously addicted to drinking, to become total abstainers ; one of the very satisfactory results of which change is, that a drunken Maori is now very rarely seen in the township of Whangarei. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, H. It. Aubrey, Wellington. Eesident Magistrate.

No. 6. Mr. J. J. Syjionds, E.M., Kaipara, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Helensville, Kaipara, Bth May, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 19th January last, and in accordance therewith to enclose a census return of the Native population in the Kaipara District. There are not any records in the office of a Native census having been taken since 1860. The present return shows a very large increase upon the number shown in the return for the year 1866. The most probable cause of this may be from the imperfect manner in which the enumeration was taken at that date. I also enclose a voucher for the sum of £3 10s., expenditure for enumeration of the settlement as shown per voucher. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, John J. Syhonds, Wellington. Resident Magistrate.

No. 7. Mr. 11. T. Kemp, C.C., Auckland, to the Under Secretart, Native Department. Sir, — Civil Commissioner's Office, Auckland, 29th May, 1878. I have the honor to forward herewith a return of the Native population in the Auckland District, in compliance with your circular letter of the 17th January last. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, H. T. Kemp, "Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

No. 8. Mr. T. Jackson, E.M., Pokeno, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sib,— Pokeno, 22 nd April, 1878. I have the honor to report for your information that the number of Natives residing within the enclosed boundai-ies, and whose names, tribes, hapus, and places of residence are stated in the accompanying sheets of pa.per, numbered from one to fifteen, amount altogether to 987 —422 males over fifteen, 801 females over fifteen, 131 males under fifteen, and 130 females under fifteen. I am sorry that I am not able to give much information as regards the increase or decrease of the Native population residing within the boundaries above referred to. I have procured a return of the number of Natives Jiving at the settlements on the West Coast, including that part of the Waiuku Resident Magistrate's District commencing at the northern head of the Waikato River, thence in a northerly direction to the Manukau Heads, taking in the following native settlements : Hamau, Whiriwhiri, Tahungatira, and Awhitu, taken in April, 1874; in that year there were 81 males over fifteen, G3 females over fifteen, 32 males under fifteen, and 40 females under fifteen ; making a total of 216. In April of this year there were living in the above settlements G3 males over fifteen (16 of these are from the King country digging gum, and shortly leave; they therefore cannot be counted as part of the permanent population), 33 females over fifteen, 28 males under fifteen, 25 females under fifteen, making a total of 149, showing a decrease in those settlements of one-third in four years. I have not been able to procure the same information as regards any other section of the Natives in my district; the boundaries have been altered since 187-4, and now include a much larger population than formerly. There are three principal causes accounting for the decrease of the Native population. First. Their love of drink. Second. The sacrifice of their females to prostitution, often when very young. Third. Their change in mode of living and clothing. Formerly they wore little or no clothes, and were from