&.—IB

2

I have no doubt the question will be well agitated; and, in order that they may have the subject placed clearly before them, I would suggest that an authorized translation of the Act be printed in Maori and circulated generally amongst them. This might prove more convincing than a mere verbal interpretation. I cannot state what assistance will be required for the division of the district until I have ascertained the wishes of the Natives in reference to the same, but will further report when I have obtained their views. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Edwd. M. Williams.

No. 3. Mr. H. T. Kemp to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Civil Commissioner's Office, Auckland, 27th June, 1879. In acknowledging your circular, No. 7, enclosing an Act to " control the sale of intoxicating liquors within Native districts," I beg leave to report, for the Hon. the Native Minister's information, that after making every inquiry, and giving the subject careful consideration, it is respectfully recommended that for the present at least no attempt be made to disturb the existing liquor laws within the Auckland Kaipara District, and that, as drunkenness is not on the increase amongst the Natives who are scattered in small bands over the district, and as, moreover, it is the opinion of well-qualified settlers, supported by the experience of some of the leading chiefs, that any form of restriction would only conduce to tho vice of intemperance and sly grog-selling, while licensed houses remained within reach, the Government probably will, under the circumstances, sec it right to postpone the introduction of regulations which may run the risk of failure, unless some special reasons arise for doing so. Enclosed is the copy of a report from the Clerk of the Bench, made at my request, which will be of use in arriving at a fair conclusion on a point of importance to the welfare of the settlers and Natives generally throughout the district. I have, &c, H. T. Kemp, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

Enclosure in No. 3. Mr. J. Clendon to Mr. H. T. Kemp. Sir,— Resident. Magistrate's Court, Helensville, 23rd May, 1879. Referring to a letter from the Under Secretary of the Native Department, of date 22nd April, 1879, enclosing an Act to control the sale of intoxicating liquors within Native districts, I would beg to inform you that the Native chiefs with whom I have conferred upon the subject state that they do not believe the Act could be carried out whilst any licensed house whatever existed in towns and villages outside of any proclaimed district under the Act; and that restrictions being placed on the country districts would only create a greater amount of drunkenness amongst the Natives than at present, in the same manner as was experienced under the old Liquor Ordinance of 1847. In my opinion the subdivision of the Kaipara into districts, as required by the said Act, could only be done by making small districts around the Native settlements. Taking the Kaipara Resident Magistrate's District as a whole, I believe the Europeans outnumber the Natives nearly three to one. From having been employed taking the Native census in this district, as well as in the Assessment Court, and other duties under the Resident Magistrate's Department, I have had every opportunity of becoming fully conversant with the several localities and settlements in Kaipara and Wairoa, and consider great difficulty would be experienced in working the Act (except in the manner before stated) under its present provisions. I have, &c., James Clendon, H. T. Kemp, Esq., Resident Magistrate. Clerk, R.M. Court, Kaipara.

No. 4. Mr. T. Jackson to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Razorback, 9th May, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Circular No. 7, having reference to " The Native Licensing Act, 1878," being brought into operation within the Resident Magistrate's District of Papakura and Waiuku, and shall at once take the required steps. If the Natives are desirous, two localities might be proclaimed under the above Act in my district: in other parts the number of Natives would not be double that of Europeans.