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No. 6. Mr. J. Booth, R.M., Gisborne, to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Gisborne, 11th March, 1891. I have the honour herewith to forward the Maori census returns for the Counties of Cook and Waiapu. Not being able to lay my hands on the Journals of the House of Representatives containing the last census, lam unable to report on the increase or decrease. Of course the last census covered the district now known as Cook and Waiapu Counties. The general state of health amongst the Natives in this district is good. There is an almost entire absence of drinking amongst the Natives of this district, and they are much more industrious than formerly. I would call your attention to the fact that, in the case both of Maoris and half-castes, the males are in excess of the females, and that those over fifteen are in excess of those under fifteen. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. J. Booth, R.M.

No. 7. Captain Pbeece, E.M., Napier, to the Undeb-Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Napier, 20th May, 1891. In accordance with the instructions contained in your Circular No. 12, of the Bth December, 1890, I have the honour to forward herewith the census of the Maoris and half-castes in the Wairoa and Napier and Waipukurau Resident Magistrate's districts, which include the Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, Waipawa, and Patangata Counties. The return for Wairoa County shows a total increase of 304; the Hawke's Bay County shows an increase of 768; the Waipawa County shows a decrease of 162; the Patangata County shows an increase of forty-two. The whole district shows an'increase of 752, from which must be deducted forty-six Natives who are known to belong to other districts; leaving a total increase of 706. The increase appears large, but it will be accounted for through the absence of any epidemic amongst the Natives during the last few years, and also, probably, to some Natives from other places having moved here owing to the more prosperous condition of the district. East and West Taupo. —I have also taken the Maori census of the above counties, in addition to my own district. The County of East Taupo shows 769, against 679 in 1886 ; being an increase of ninety. The West Taupo County in my return shows 310, to which is to be added 919 shown in Mr. Wilkinson's report, making a total of 1,229, against 1,152 in 1886, showing an increase of seventy-seven. I may state that in some cases the Natives refused to give the sub-enumerators information, but this feeling of distrust is not so strong now as it was in 1886. Some of them have an idea that the census is in some way connected with taxation, and show a disinclination to give any information on the subject. In conclusion, I beg to state the general health of the Natives in my district has been good, and the number of deaths have not been on the increase during the last three years. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. George Preece, R.M.

No. 8. Lieut.-Colonel Eoberts, E.M., Wairarapa, to the Under-Secbetary, Native Department. Sib,— Masterton, Wairarapa, 7th March, 1891. In compliance with your circular (No. 12) of the Bth December, 1890, I have the honour to forward census returns for the Wairarapa North, South, and Pahiatua Counties. The habitations of the Natives in the more civilised parts of the district are greatly improved; but in the more remote parts, especially near the coast, their dwellings are very poor. They do not appear to have had any special epidemic among them for a long time, except at Turanganui, where several suffered from typhoid fever; but asthma is very prevalent, and often confines them to their whares for several days. Their grain crops have suffered considerably this season from the heavy rains, and will, no doubt, be much less than in previous years. They have also lost a considerable amount of produce by recent fires in several parts of the district. I am unable to express an opinion whether the Natives have increased or decreased, as I have no means of referring to the last census returns. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. J. M. Roberts, R.M.

No. 9. Mr. G. H. Davies, Native Officer, Wellington, to the Under-Secketaby, Native Department. Sir,— Wellington, 13th March, 1891. In compliance with instructions contained in circular dated the Bth December, 1890, I have the honour to forward herewith a return of the census of the Maori population residing within the Hutt County. The return shows a decrease of thirty-five; but this may in a measure be due to the fact that some of the resident Natives were attending sittings of the Native Land Court at Wanganui and elsewhere, I may also state that thirteen visitors were included in the census return of 1886. I