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Sess. 11.—1879. NEW ZEALAND.

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

Laid upon the Table by the Hon. Mr. JBn/cc, with the leave of the House. No. 1. Mr. G-. Kelly to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sib, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Mongonui, 20th August, 1879. In accordance with instructions contained in your circular ietter No. 7, of 22nd April, 1 have the honor to inform you that I called a meeting of all the principal chiefs in the district, which was held at Ahipara on the sth instant, and laid before them "The Native Licensing Act, 1878," which I full}' explained to them, and endeavoured to persuade them to bring into operation within the district; but the majority were opposed to the Act, and did not wish to bring it into force. They stated that they were quite satisfied with the working of the present Act, and had the fullest confidence in the two Native Assessors appointed under "The Outlying Districts Sale of Spirits Act, 1870" (Timoti Puhipi and Waka Rangaunu), who have always opposed the issue of licenses in the district when such were not really necessary. But one house situated at Hukateri, tweuty-five miles from the nearest Native settlement, had been licensed, which would come within the jurisdiction of the Act were it passed, and this house they considered most necessary for the accommodation of travellers. I am very glad to be able to add that the Natives of this district are becoming a very sober people. It is very rarely that a Native even iv the township is to be seen indulging too freely ; and I can corroborate also their statement relative to the judicious manner in which the Assessors performed their duties. Several attempts have been made by Europeans to reopen a house at Ahipara (which was closed over twelve months ago), but the Natives, through their Assessors, have always firmly opposed the issue of a license, on the ground that they are better off without a publichouse. I have, &c, Geokge Kelly, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Interpreter. •

No. 2. Mr. G-. A. I'beece to the Undee Secbetaky, Native Department. Sib, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Opotiki, 25th August, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular No. 7, of the 22ud of April last, referring to " The Native Licensing Act, 1878." In reply, I beg to state that 1 have brought the matter under the notice of the different tribes iv this district, but only two hapus have expressed their wish to avail themselves of the Act: indeed, it would be very difficult to bring it into operation in this district, except in the Urewera country, ■without claims for compensation for closing the publichouses. As the houses in the Native portion of the district are well conducted, 1 have not deemed it advisable to urge the adoption of the Act by the Natives who live in the vicinity of these houses. On the 30th ultimo 1 held a meeting of the Ngatirua section of the Whakatohea Tribe and the Ngaitai, of Torere, at the Courthouse here. Those hapus expressed a wish to have the Act brought into operation. They asked me to keep back the letter until they had elected a committee from the other hapus, which they have failed to do. I therefore forward their petition without the names of the committee. Even in this case the boundary will just escape a publichouse close to a Native settlement situated within the proposed locality. In the event of the Act being brought in force in this portion of the district it will be necessary to place a surveyor at my disposal for a few days. I would add that the Natives drink very little at the publichouses near their settlements; also, that no such houses are kept by Natives in this district—they drink far more when iv town 5 and, as there is some