H .—26b

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The total population for the ten counties is shown to be 7,731, including 358 half-castes, whilst the number for the same counties iv 1896 was only 6,661 —an apparent increase of 1,070: but I very much doubt if there has been a real augmentation of numbers, and I attribute the increase more to the fact that my sub-enumerator visited every settlement and dwelling-place, which, I am assured by the Natives themselves, was never before attempted. There is a lamentable preponderance of males, no less than 601 more males than females, while the proportion of persons of fifteen to those under that age is more than two to one. There is also a strikingly large number of elderly people." So far as can be learned the health of the Natives generally is fairly good, and they do not appear to have suffered lately from any serious epidemic. Low fever, usually caused by the use of impure water, and pulmonary complaints are most to be dreaded, and when Natives are so attacked they seldom recover. Lying on the damp ground, ofttimes in swampy situations, makes it almost impossible that they should do so. The inordinate use of tobacco, and, worse still, vile cigarettes and crude tobacco-leaf (torori) is really becoming a frightful curse, and must be checked if the race is to continue. It is not unusual to see mothers give infants their pipes to quieten them, and so strong a hold has smoking obtained that it is a deadly privation to keep a Maori from smoking for half an hour at a stretch. 1 believe it, would prove a great boon if a small pamphlet containing simple rules of sanitation were printed and widely circulated, warning the Natives of the dangers of inordinate use of tobacco, sleeping on the ground, and drinking Maori tea, &c. Some years ago a very excellent work was written on these lines by Mr. Pope, but it was too large, and a small book such as I have indicated might be made more attractive, and would have a far-reaching effect. Several of the sub-enumerators state that they notice a considerable improvement in the Maori mode of living—an apparent desire to follow the example set by Europeans —and the almost universal use of better domestic utensils, crockery, &c. No doubt "there is such a movement now going on, and with a little judicious encouragement, such as is offered under the very liberal provisions of "The Maori Councils Act, 1900," there are grounds for justifying the fervent hope that the noble Maori race may yet live and prosper in their home, the " Land of the Long White Cloud." I beg to attach reports from the various sub-enumerators, also a voucher for your approval for 16s. 6d., for printing circular letters, &c. I much regret that I have not been able to make this report sooner. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Department of Justice, Gilbebt Maih, Chief-Enumerator. Wellington.

Extracts fbom Eepobts of Sub-Enumebators. The sub-enumerator at Kihikihi states :— I have to report that the health of the Natives in the district in which I took the census is generally good, with the exception of that part about the Te Kumi and Hangatiki settlements, where there were several cases of low fever. I attribute the good health of the other parts to the fact that most of the Natives are now living back on their own land, and not, as of old, in large settlements, the old settlement of Te Kuiti, for instance, being a thing of the past. I still find great difficulty in obtaining the information required,'notably at Te Kumi and Mangaorongo. Many of the Natives belonging to Te Kumi are now, and have been for some time, away at Parihaka, and about sixty persons —men, women, and children—formerly living at Mangaorongo, Otewa, and Otorohanga, have gone to work in the bush at Mangapeihi, outside my district, and many Natives are working on Government roads. This, and the fact that the Natives are now living apart, is the reason why I had to apply for additional sub-enumerators. The sub-enumerater at Coromandel states :— At most of the settlements the Natives are in good health, and seem to be making themselves more comfortable in their methods of living than formerly. lam also glad to report that there is nothing like the drunkenness there formerly was among them in this district, and to see a Native drunk is the exception now. At Manaia many of the Natives possess buggies and drive in to town to transact their business, and return in sobriety. At Kennedy Bay the Ngatiporou are, to all appearances, most prosperous. There are large areas being fenced, and one chief told me he intended bringing some sheep from the south to run there. The Maoris have lately erected a very neat church and several houses, which form a neat uniform street, and I heard of no sickness among them. At Cabbage Bay all the Natives have left the old settlement and gone to Waiaro and Waikawau. The young men are engaged iv bush-work and the elder ones in gum-digging. At Opitonui the only work done by them is gum-digging, and a large number left there about a month ago, and are, I am informed, settled at Otama and that district, and engaged in gum-digging. This is now the fourth time I have taken the Maori census, and I must say I have never before seen the settlements so clean and prosperous as at present. The sub-enumerator at Waiuku states :— In many cases Maoris are living on European property, gum-digging, and, of course, have no crops or stock. Ido not know if there is any notice taken of the fact that the Flavell families are not living as Maoris, although not altogether as Europeans. They live on adjoining properties to the Maori settlement, near Waiuku, and mix with both whites and Natives. The sub-enumerator at Cambridge states : — In accordance with appointment and instructions received in re Maori census of Piako County