H.—26b

18

The Maoris in this county, as elsewhere, have been much interested in sanitary reform, which is very necessary in view of the present circumstances of the Maori as compared with his life before the advent of the pakeha. Then, for the sake of his own protection, he had to retire to fortified heights, where the air was pure and the drainage from the place he occupied, instead of as now, occupying low-lying ground, where water was easy of access and no doubt often polluted from want of proper drainage. The Maori at the present time is undergoing a change of thought. Some of the forces operating on him are education, closer contact with the European than heretofore ; to which may be added the effect of the fusion of the two races, resulting in the half-castes, who are now becoming a factor in the Maori polity. Having had many opportunities of seeing examination-papers for scholarships, &c, I can safely say that the work done during the last five years has shown a marked improvement on that done prior to last census. The question arises, to what is this all tending? The Maori youth and Maori girl on leaving boarding-school (or even the village school) find that they are returning to a different condition of things—different from what they had been accustomed to at the institutions at which they had been educated, where they have had regular meals and wholesome food, which are not to be found at the " kainga Maori." The only remedy, may be, for their social well-being is to give them object-lessons of home life, and to try and induce them to follow out the same when returning to their homes, and impressing on them the necessity as to their means of living each on his own holding, instead of being grouped together as they so often are. The march of events has not been without its valuable suggestions ; these, however, refer rather to individual cases than to the Maoris as a whole. As an example of such suggestions, I may call attention to the fact that closer contact with the European has, in a measure, made the individual more dependent on himself, as shown by the desire of not a few of them to occupy their own detached holdings, thus weakening their old conservative spirit of communism, and creating a spirit of emulation—a desire to live as their pakeha neighbours do. The advent of the half-caste is beginning to have this effect: being of a more forceful character than the Maori he is now beginning to lead him out of his old groove of want of continuity, the bane of the Maori. Many of their leading men at the present time are half-castes, and considering that the European parent had a more comfortable home in which the children were brought up, it is but natural to suppose that their offspring would like to follow their example, and thus imperceptibly affect the Maoris in their vicinity. * * * * * * I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Department of Justice, George H. Davies. Wellington.

11. MABLBOBOUGH. Sib,— Blenheim, 9th April, 1901. In accordance with your instructions I have forwarded this mail, to your address, the Maori census returns for Marlborough and Sounds, together with papers connected therewith. To save trouble I forward you herewith the report made by the sub-enumerator. With regard to his suggestion concerning the medical man, I understood that there was a medical man appointed to attend the Maoris. It could not be expected that he should make periodical visits to out-of-the-way districts in the Pelorus and Queen Charlotte Sounds. A medical man of any standing would require a heavy amount of remuneration for such services. If there is not a place in Picton where Maoris in cases of serious illness could be received, this should be provided for. As to the increase or decrease in number of Maoris, I cannot supply this information, as I have not a copy of the last census. I presume this information can be obtained in Wellington by reference to last returns. I have kept a copy of these returns for future reference. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Department of Justice, J. Allen, S.M, Wellington.

Bepoet of Sub-Enumeeatoe. Mr. Kenny states :• — In regard to the health of the Maoris, I am glad to say that there has been very little sickness during the period which has elapsed since the last census was taken. There have, however, been a few deaths, but they were chiefly young children and very old people. lam sorry to say that some at least of these deaths were, in my opinion, due to the fact that the Maoris trusted to their own tohungas instead of obtaining the services of a qualified medical man. Unfortunately the Maoris in some parts of the district do not appear to be capable of learning by experience, for they have still unbounded faith in their tohungas. I fear that if some steps are not taken to prevent these people from preying on the credulity of the Maoris, the consequences will be most serious. Before leaving this subject I would venture to point out the necessity for the appointment of a doctor to attend the Maoris now living at Okoha. In a case of sickness the patient has now to be taken to Wellington, and as the steamer only makes fortnightly trips the delay might lead to serious consequences. In fact a case occurred while I was at Okoha, which I feel certain would have proved fatal had it not been for the care and attention given to the patient by Mr. Cuthbert Ward, Messrs. Bedwood Brothers' manager. If these Maoris had been under the charge of a doctor in Picton this case could have been taken there either by land or water before it became serious.