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1879. NEW ZEALAND.

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

Laid on the Table by the Hon. Mr. Sheehan, -with the leave of the House. No. 1. The Under Secretary, Native Department, to Officers in Native Districts. Sir,— Native Office, Wellington, 22nd April, 1879. I have the honor, by direction of the Hon. the Native Minister, to forward herewith, for your information, a copy of " The Native Licensing Act, 1878," and to request that you will use your best endeavours to have it brought into operation within your district with as little delay as possible. With this object Mr. Sheehan desires that you will place yourself at once in communication with the leading chiefs and Natives, and explain to them what is necessary to be done, and at the same time point out the great advantages which will result if by any means a stop can be put to the large consumption of intoxicating liquors by the Native people. You may state also that Government have given the matter serious consideration, and earnestly hope that the Natives generally will strive to carry out a measure the Parliament have specially passed for their benefit. The Hon. the Native Minister requests that, before taking definite action, you will be good enough to make yourself thoroughly acquainted with the provisions of the Act, and arrange matters so that claims for compensation may not arise through the closing of publichouses. You will also divide your district so as to avoid, as far as possible, any questions arising with regard to the comparative number of European and Native population; and, with this view, you will arrange the boundaries of the districts under the Act so as to include a large majority of Natives. I have to request that you will be good enough to send an early reply to this circular, and, in furnishing your preliminary report, state what assistance you will require for the division of your district, and arrangements will be made to place the services of a surveyor at your disposal if necessary. I have, &c., T. W. Lewis, Under Secretary. No. 2. Mr. E. M. Williams to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Resident Magistrate's Office, Waimate, Bay of Islands, Sir,— 19th May, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular, No. 7, 22nd April, 1879, forwarding a copy of "The Native Licensing Act, 1878," and requesting me to use my best endeavours to have it brought into operation within my district with as little delay as possible. In reply, I beg to state that I will endeavour to carry out the wishes of the Hon. the Native Minister, as expressed in your circular, by communicating with the leading chiefs, explaining what is necessary to be done, and ascertaining their views, on the subject. From remarks I have heard made from time to time by the Natives in reference to the sale of spirits, I do not think the Act will be brought into operation without opposition, the Natives themselves being divided in their opinions. Some advocate the removal of all restrictive laws with regard to the sale of spirits to Maoris, urging that they should be placed on the same footing as Europeans. Others are in favour of certain localities being proclaimed, within which no spirituous liquors shall be sold, the sale of such being confined to the publichouses now in existence in the district, which they would not desire to have closed. I—Gh 18.