4

Paora : The only way to remedy the evil is to prevent the importation. Kepa ; Let it not be brought into the country. Reid : Substitute imprisonment for fine. Tamati Ngaporo : The law should be that no spirits should be allowed to come into the country. W. White : Might be improved. Wilson : Abolish the bush inns. Davis : Natives found drunk in towns should be imprisoned, not fined. Power for police to enter houses to search for spirits, and to board coasting vessels and seize spirits. Masters of such vessels to be fined. QUESTION No. XX. Are the Laws respecting the sale, &c., of arms and gunpowder evaded by the Maories 1 Affirmative Opinions.—Joshua Thorpe, Searancke, Webster, Burrows, Fenton, Porter, Black, Joseph, Graham (But not to a great extent), Marshall, Paora, Reid, Johnson, Brown, Tamati Ngaporo (Except by loyal Natives), W. White Wilson, Davis, Busby, J. White. Negative Opinion.—Te Hira. Undecided Opinion.—Campbell (Does not know). QUESTION No. XXI. Is it expedient that these laws should be repealed ? Affirmative Opinions.—Joshua Thorpe, Searancke (Let them be sold under proper restraint), Fenton, Porter, Brown, Tamati Ngaporo, Te Hira, Busby, J. White. Negative Opinions.—Bolger, Reid, Johnson, Wilson, Davis, Burrows (Says the laws should be more string-nt, but suggests nothing), Wilson (Let them be more stringent—suggests penal punishment). Undecided Opinions.—Webster, Black. XX. QUESTION No. XXII. Would it be judicious to give Crown Grants to Half-castes, for such land as their Maori relations may feel desirous to give them ? • Affirmative Opinions.—Burrows, Fenton (Where there is no difficulty of title, boundary, or incumbrance), the Bishop, Whiteley, Marshall (The Grants should be issued to some public functionary as trustee), W. White, Wilson (On condition of parents being married), Paora, Davis, the Roman Catholic Bishop. QUESTION No. XXIII. Is the Maori population decreasing ? Affirmative Opinions.—Searancke (Fast), Fenton (Fast), Whiteley, Marshall (Ngatipohave decreased one-third in twenty years), W. White (Not so fast as generally asserted), the Roman Catholic Bishop, J. White. Undecided Opinion.—The Bishop. OPINIONS RELATIVE TO THE MAORI MESSENGER. Fenton : Might be improved ; a valuable instrument. Rogan : Numbers might be increased with advantage. Joseph : Let all commercial, &c., notices be given in the Maori Messenger. Riwai te Ahu : Very beneficial. Johnson : Might be very useful, published once a week. Campbell: The Maories believe anything that appears in the Maori Messenger ; there is not a corner they do not read. It may be sent for distribution to Mr. Harris, Poverty Bay ; Mr. Waddy, Naua ; and Mr. Charles Riley, lokeroaru. W. White: The Government should furnish the Natives with translations of the more important portions of the English Laws ; great benefits would accrue if the Maori Messenger were properly conducted, A note should be appended to the market price of goods and produce, to inform the Natives that in distant parts of the country the prices should not be so high, to allow for freight, insurance, &c. The Roman Catholic Bishop : There should be an elementary book published on English Law. Busby : The Press might be made more efficient; the Maori Messengtr might be made exceedingly useful. I know of nothing better calculated to enlighten the Natives than the Maori Messenger, if properly conducted. I would not hesitate to publish the names of Natives who act improperly, with animadversions on their conduct. I would give all prominence to praiseworthy conduct, inviting others to go and do likewise. The Natives would not pay for it. &c. J. White : Five hundred copies are not enough.