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As a rule, the Natives are very comfortably off. Most of the young and middle-aged men find occupation on the different farms in the district, in bush-falling, sheep-shearing, grass-seed cutting, &c, at which they make good wages, and many of them are now successful sheep-farmers. Native schools are well attended, and seem to be very popular. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary, Department of Justice, J. Booth, S.M. Wellington.

No. 7. Mr. Tdrnbull, S.M., to the Depabtment of Justice. Sib,— Magistrate's Office, Napier, 27th April, 1896. I have the honour to inform you that, in compliance with the instructions contained in your letter of the 9th December last, a census of the Maori population for the districts comprising the Counties of Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, Waipawa, and Patangata, was taken during the latter weeks in February and first week in March last, and I now beg to forward herewith my summary thereof as enumerator for the above-named districts. From the scattered nature of the settlements in the district, I found it necessary to appoint more than one sub-enumerator for each county, and, with one exception, I am of opinion that the sub-enumerators have done their work satisfactorily. With regard to the computation of the Native population, I do not doubt the substantial accuracy of the figures arrived at, but as to the cultivations and stock, owing to the opposition of the Natives in most cases, I do not consider that the figures can be accepted as accurate. In reference to your request for a report on the increase or decrease of the Maoris in my district since the last census was taken, I have to inform you that in the absence of any records in this office of the last census I am unable to furnish the information asked for. As regards the general health of the Natives and the other matters alluded to by you, I append extracts from the sub-enumerators' reports so far as they have been furnished. I have to add that, generally speaking, the Natives showed considerable reluctance in giving any information, and absolutely refused to do so in many cases; but I understand that the subenumerators were able to obtain the information required fairly accurately from other sources. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Department of Justice, A. Tubnbull, S.M. Wellington.

Extbacts from the Bepobts of Sub-Enumebatobs for Maobi Census, 1896, for the Counties of Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, Waipawa, and Patangata. Mr. Deighton, sub-enumerator for part of Wairoa County, states : — " Matiti Settlement. —The Natives of this kainga have decreased considerably, but principally through natural causes. Their crops are very much blighted by drought. " Pakowhai and Bamoto Settlements have been visited by a great deal of sickness, through epidemic of influenza, fever, and other ailments. Their crops are likewise very much blighted; in fact, much of it is a total failure. " Bangi Ahua Settlement. —Suffering the same as others through the continued drought. Are in a healthy condition, and have been free from epidemics. " Arimawha Settlement. —The cultivations are the same as others above mentioned. Their condition appears healthy, having been comparatively free from epidemics. " Waikare-moana Settlements. —The cultivations are very small as to extent, and are suffering from drought, but not as much as other settlements mentioned. As regards the health of these Natives, there has been a large mortality among them since last census, having been visited by numerous epidemics. The elder people appear to be healthy, but the children do not have the appearance of strong constitutions. The principal deaths have occurred among the children and young people. " Mohaka. —This settlement appears in a healthy condition, not having had any severe epidemics. The crops appear to be suffering from drought. " Waikare, Arapawanui, and Tangoio. —These settlements appear in a healthy condition, not having been visited by any serious illnesses. Their crops are also suffering from drought." Mr. Flint, sub-enumerator for part of Wairoa County, states: "I made careful inquiries about the health of the Maoris in the different settlements, and find that fever, whooping-cough, asthma, and old age have taken away a great many since the last census was taken. I attribute the cause of their trouble to want of cleanliness. The dry season has almost destroyed their crops, and I anticipate that during the winter they will be short of food. I was particularly impressed at the small percentage of young children in the district, and believe that the race is gradually decaying." Mr. Eichardson, sub-enumerator for Petane Elding and part of Wairoa County, states: — " Tlie paucity of children and old people, especially amongst the Ngatihineuru, was very marked. On inquiry, I found the death-rate amongst children had been very heavy, which I attribute in a great measure to want of sufficient nutritious food, which would also account for the scarcity of very old people. The country they occupy is very poor. " The Ngatikahungungu, who live at Petane, have during the last year been afflicted with an epidemic of a typhoid character which proved fatal in a great many cases—want of sanitation, and indifferent water-supply, would probably account for this. There were no cases at the time of my visit. These people have considerable cultivations of maize, oats, potatoes, with patches of