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proper authority to undertake the leasing of their lands. If, however, the Board cannot do so unless at the same time it offers for sale half of the land reserved for leasing, then the Maoris must be left to lease their land as best they can, as we cannot recommend that any land be sold save the small area of 1,596 acres mentioned in the accompanying schedules. We recommend that the lands should be dealt with as appears in the schedules annexed to this report. This is a district that requires the immediate attention of an agricultural expert who is acquainted not only with pastoral farming, but also with fruitculture. If such an expert had sympathy with the Maoris and understood their ways, and was settled amongst them for some months every year, directing them how to proceed in improving their land, there would be a great gain not only to the Maoris, but to the whole Dominion. We would strongly recommend the attention of the Government to this subject. We have dealt with the county as an agricultural district. There are, however, indications that it may become an important mining district. Copper has been found in considerable quantity, and bits of cinnabar have been picked up. After the copper was discovered some of the copper-bearing land was bought from the Maoris by the Crown at £1 per acre. It may be pointed out that even if the mining should not he successful the future of the county is still hopeful, for it has one of the finest harbours in New Zealand and the harbour and sea adjoining are well stocked with fish, and it has a subtropical climate not excelled in Australasia. Our detailed recommendations will be found in the accompanying schedules. The following is a summary :— A. E. P. A. R. P. Lands leased ... ... ... ... ... ... 3,466 0 3 Lands for Maori occupation —papakaingas, &c. ... ... 13,148 1 22 Lands for general settlement— 1. For leasing ... ... ... 9,202 1 6 2. For sale ... ... ... ... 1,596 2 0 — 10,798 3 6 Lands not dealt with— 1. Papatupu ... ... ... 5,688 0 0 2. Other lands ... ... ... 1,857 2 4 7,545 2 4 Total 34,958 2 35 5. Mangonui County. The area of Native land in this county is 109,706 acres, of which 6,904 acres is still papatupu. The best of the land is on the western side of the county between Herekino and Ahipara. The rest is poor, with good land in patches surrounding the Maori settlements and papakaingas. Parliament has vested in the Maori Land Board the blocks at Te Kao and Parengarenga in the far north, of a total area of 57,306 acres. We have submitted to the Hon. the Native Minister a report on these blocks (see Appendix III). Our detailed recommendations are given in the accompanying schedules. The following is a summary : — A. E. P. A. R. P. Lands leased ... ... ..._ ■■■ ••• ■•■ 679 3 0 Lands for Maori occupation —papakaingas, &c. ... ... 23,236 2 23 Lands for general settlement — 1. For leasing ... ... ••• 6,819 1 34 2. For sale 982 0 0 3. Vested in the Board ... ... 57,306 0 0 65,107 1 34 Lands not dealt with— 1. Papatupu ... ... ... 6,904 0 0 2. Other lands -... ... ■•• 13,778 2 35 20,682 2 35 Total 109,706 2 12