3

a—9

It is my painful duty to record the death of Nurse Hei, who contracted typhoid whilst nursing at Gisborne. The deceased was a very able and conscientious nurse, and her loss is greatly regretted by the Department and all members of the Native race. Nurse Whangapirita was also attacked by typhoid, contracted whilst nursing at Te Puke, but 1 am glad to report that she has recovered. She has, however, since resigned. Upon the outbreak at Waiapu being reported Nurse MeElligot was engaged by the Department and ordered to proceed to Waipiro Bay and take charge of the patients. A temporary hospital was erected, and Nurse Whangapirita, who resides in the vicinity, kindly volunteered to assist in nursing. and her services were gratefully accepted. The outbreaks in most cases were overcome, and, although several deaths occurred, the majority recovered. Every attention has been given by Dr. Pomare, and his excellent work in the direction of coping with and overcoming these epidemics has proved satisfactory. Cabinet has decided, owing to the fact that infectious diseases must be dealt with by the Department of Public Health, that it would be perhaps more effective if the control of all health matters were placed under one Department. Accordingly, the Maori Health Blanch will for the future be administered by the Health Department, commencing from the Ist April, 1911. The sums of £3,000 from the Civil List, together with £600 voted on the estimates, have accordingly been transferred to the Department of Public Health. Maori Census. The Maori census and agricultural statistics were taken during the second week of March. All the returns have not yet been completed, but from the information to hand the indications point to an increase of approximately 2.000 persons since the last census. This may be mainly attributed to the greater care observed by"the enumerators. A special report, however, will be submitted in due course. General. A study of the schedules attached will, I think, satisfy the pessimists that the Native Department is doing all it possibly can towards the settlement of Native lands. The Act of 1909 is, no doubt, the contributing factor; and when all its provisions are more universally known, and the parties concerned take the necessary initial steps, the cry of " unoccupied Native lands " will be a thing of the past. At the present rate of progress it may be assumed that after eight years there will be little, if any, Native land that is not revenue-producing. Thos. W. Fisher, Under-Secretary.

TABLE A.—NATIVE LAND COURTS. Retur.v ok BrsiNESs and Fees for the Year ended 31st March, 1911. Native Land Court. Number of sittings . . .. . . . . . . .. 94 Number of places where sittings held . . . . . . .. 46 Number of cases notified .. .. .. .. .. .. 22,243 Number of cases for which orders made . . . . . . . . 9,812 Number of cases dismissed .. .. .. .. . . . . 4,388 Number of cases adjourned sine die . . . . . . . . . . 8,043 Number of partitions made . . . . .. .. . . 833 Area affected .. .. .. .. .. (acres) 503,829 Number of investigations of title . . . . .. . . .. 53 Area affected .. .. .. .. .. (acres) 186,679| Number of succession orders made .. .. .. .. .. 7,487 Number of other orders made . . '. . .. . . .. 1,574 Native Appellate Court. Number of sittings notified.. .. .. . . .. . . 19 Num her of places where held .. .. . . . . . . I •'! Number of cases notified . . . . . . . . . . .. 471 Native Land Court decisions varied . . .. . . . . .. 72 Native Land Court decisions affirmed .. .. . . .. 42 Native Land Court decisions referred back to Native Land Court .. 7 Appeals dismissed or withdrawn . . .. . . .. .. 187 Appeals adjourned sine die (including 14 applications under section 50) .. 68 Applications under section 208 ordered .. .. .. .. 22 Applications under section 208 dismissed .. .. . . .. 14 Applications under section 208 adjourned sine die .. .. , 11