&.— 2

8

acquire more careful habits ; if not, I am afraid their extinction will become a question of time, at least, in this part of the colony. The Natives here are of sober habits, law-abiding, and although indolent in acquiring money, are careful when they have acquired it. Some are possessed of stock, and are fairly comfortable ; and I know of none who are entirely destitute. I have, &c, A. W. Thompson, Enumerator. The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington.

No. 16. Inspector Moore, Dunedin, to the Undee-Secbetaey, Native Department. Sic, — Police Office, Dunedin, 31st March, 1891. In compliance with instructions in your Circular No. 12, of the Bth of December last, I forward herewith a return of the census, taken the third week in February, 1891, of the Maori population in the Counties of Waikouaiti, Taieri, Clutha, Peninsula, Tuapeka, Bruce, and Maniototo. The Maori population in this district is decreasing yearly, from old age and infirmities, and by some removing to other places. I may remark that the Maori half-castes in this district are not living as members of a Maori tribe; for this reason they have been omitted from the Maori census, and will be included in the European census. These Maori half-castes erroneously appeared in the Maori census in 1886, and hence the reason of the decrease in the census for the present year. The Maoris in the Peninsula, Waikouaiti, and Clutha Counties are generally well-to-do : some have land leased to Europeans and partly live on the rents thereof, others are fishermen ; some go shearing and harvesting; and I may say that the whole of them get along fairly well. They are a very well-behaved people, and their children attend school regularly. But the Maoris at the Taieri are very poor, badly-clad, with no boots for their children to wear, and can obtain little or no work in that neighbourhood. They work at shearing and general farm-work when they can get such to do. They complain of the small area of land allowed them—namely, 6^ acres on the flat, which, from constant cropping, is worked out; some of them have 20 acres on high ridges, but owing to its poor nature they make very little from it. They further complain of being badly treated by the Government in not giving their children land, as they say was promised them. Their health, generally, is good; but some of them are suffering from asthma. No disease or epidemic have visited them since the last census in 1886. Herewith are vouchers for expenses as per margin. I have, &c, S. Moobe, Inspector of Police and Enumerator of Maori Census. The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington.

No. 17. Inspector Hiokson, lnvercargill, to the Undee-Secbetaby, Native Department. Sib, — Police Inspector's Office, lnvercargill, 13th March, 1891. In accordance with Native Office Circular No. 12, of the Bth December last, I forward herewith the Maori census papers for this year, taken in the third week in February, together with the summary compiled therefrom. There is a decrease in the Maori population since last census of six males and six females ; and in the half-caste population of eight males, the female half-castes showing an increase of seven; thus making a total decrease of Maoris and half-castes of thirteen. The amount of ground under individual cultivation shows a satisfactory increase, as does also the number of sheep and cattle held ; there is no land cultivated in common by the Natives in this district. Since the last census the Natives have enjoyed good health, have been free from any epidemic or disease; their moral and physical condition is good, and they appear happy and comfortable. As I found on inquiry that there were no Maoris in the Counties of Vincent, Lake, and Fiord, I did not appoint sub-enumerators for those counties. The total cost of taking the census has been £6 19s. 6d., vouchers for which are attached. Valuable assistance was afforded the sub-enumerators by the Native teachers at the Neck and Colac, Messrs. Traill and Nickless. I have, &c, J. Hiokson, Inspector of Police, Maori Census Enumerator. The Under-Secretary, Native Affairs, Wellington.

No. 18. Inspector Goodall, Greymouth, to the Undeb-Secbetaby, Native Department. Sib,— Police Office, Greymouth, 19th March, 1891. In reply to Circular No. 12, of the Bth December last, I have the honour to report having taken a census of the Maori population of the district comprising the Counties of Buller, Westland, Inangahua, and Grey, the result of which I beg leave to forward herewith.