G.-^la

8

through the carrying-out of the survey of a block called Pukerangiora, the survey oi which was stopped in 1879 by an armed party of Natives, but which has lately been completed. The fact of the rule laid down by the Committees prohibiting surveys in that part of the district having been broken through by this survey, together with the fact of jealousies among themselves as to ownership having arisen, and grievances caused by decisions of Committees, appears to have decided them to do away with the old state of things and adopt a new course. The feud between two sections of Ngatiporou Tribe, namely, Te Whanau-a-Tawhiri (Wiremu Keiha's people) and Te Whanau-a-Pona, which has existed many years, is now dormant. Wiremu Keiha is living on the land from which he was ousted some time back; but the arrangement made at the meeting held in reference to this dispute, at which Captain Preece was present, to the effect that the title to the land in dispute should be investigated by the Native Land Court, has not been carried out, owing to the opposition of Te Whanau-a-Pona to a survey being made. Keiha has made frequent applications for a survey, but, as the work would probably be stopped, the Survey Department have not issued an authority. Captain Preece recommended a sketch plan being prepared for the purposes of the Court, which I consider would be a step in the right direction in this and in other cases of a similar nature. A sitting of the Native Land Court is anxiously looked forward to by the Natives in this district, more especially those resident at Te Kawakawa and Hicks Bay. Several large blocks in that locality are awaiting the operation of the Court, when the land will be dealt with. The Natives in that part of the district, receiving no rents to speak of, are comparatively badly off; but a sitting of the Court in the Waiapu District will put them in a position to deal with a large area by sale or lease. These Natives are anxious that the school at Kawakawa, which has been closed for some time past, should be reopened on the land lately handed over by Hatiwira Houkamau for that purpose under the Native School Sites Act. Preparations are being made at Waiapu for a large meeting, to be held shortly, to celebrate the opening of a carved house built for a chief called Anaru te Kahaki. He is a prominent man in Committee matters, and will probably take advantage of the opportunity afforded by the meeting to advance his views. Invitations have been sent by Ngatiporou to people of other districts to attend this meeting. The business will not be confined to local matters, but questions affecting the Maori race generally will be discussed. The meeting, I believe, has reference to a movement instituted by Ngapuhi, bearing on the Treaty of Waitangi. In conclusion, I beg to state that the general condition of the Natives in this district may be considered as satisfactory. They are as a rule law-abiding; they are in receipt of considerable rents, and have just gathered excellent crops of food; and, with the exception of the extreme northern portion of the district, have ample inalienable land for their maintenance. This exception in that part of the district occurs through the land there not having yet passed the Court, and being entirely in their hands; but, in view of the feeling now springing up among the Natives in that portion of the district to part with their lands, I think that every opportunity should be taken of making inalienable reserves there. I have, &c, ■ ' John Brooking, J. Booth, Esq., R.M., Gisborne. Land Purchase Officer.

No. 8. Captain Preece, R.M., Napier, to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Napier, 2nd July, 1883. In compliance with your circular No. 8, of the 11th May last, I have the honour to forward the following report of the district under my charge : — Napier District. There has been very little of consequence to report in this district during the past year. The Natives at the several settlements on the plains have grown considerable quantities of wheat, but, generally speaking, they rely on the moneys they receive from rents for their support. Although these Natives are comparatively well off, they take little or no care of the money they get. It is satisfactory, however, to state that they spend more on clothing, and less on drink, than the Natives in some of the less settled districts. There have been two or three land disputes, which at one time threatened to be rather serious. In one case, the quarrel arose about the possession of a house and paddock. Two young men, accompanied by some others, turned the occupant out by force, and took possession of the house. The aggrieved Native took proceedings for forcible entry, the defendants were committed for trial at the Supreme Court, and fined £10 each. The second case was settled by the contending parties making application to the Native Land Court to adjudicate on the land. The case was heard in respect to one part of the land, the other will be dealt with at the next sitting of the Court. The Native chief Tawhiao, from the Waikato, with about three hundred followers, visited all the principal settlements in this district. .He was well treated by the Natives, some of whom appeared to give adherence to his policy of isolation, but this was merely done through courtesy, as they considered themselves bound to support the views of their guest when travelling with him from settlement to settlement. The chief Renata Kawepo welcomed Tawhiao here as a friend, but told him to put away all his ideas of isolation and separation of the two races; that there could be only one law in the country, and that both" races must submit to it. Only two Natives of any importance have died during the present year, viz., the chief Ereatara te Kuru, of Porongahau, and Haromi Tiakitai, the widow of the late loyal chief Karauria Pupu, both of whom were persons of considerable rank.