E—No. 9 Sec. V.

to lease portions of it for a term of year?, even thiough Agents or Trustees appointed by the Government if that was deemed necessary. A site for the residence of the Magistrate has, however, been set apart by the Ngatiporou. This, as will be seen by the accompanying letter, is a free gift to the Crown. I found it necessary to exercise the greatest caution in dealing with them on this matter, as any attempt to negotiate for the purchase of a site would have roused their suspicions, and entirely frustated the wishes of the Government. So far as I can judge from recollection of the number of Natives ten years ago, I calculate that duiing the period from 1857 to 1861 the prpulation of the East Cape has decreased by one-half. The English traders with w.horn I have conversed on the subject till think that the proportion I have given is below the mark. It is pleasing to find ihat the Ngatiporou are anxious that their children should have the benefit of a better style of education than has hitherto been afforded them. They are willing 10 co-operate with the Government in any measures that may be adopted in cider to enable the rising generation to acquire a knowledge of the English language. One of their most influential chiefs thus expressed himself at a Eunanga en this subject—"Let the Maori tongue die with my generation, as the taste of the fein-root and the mamaku will be lost with the old men who are now passing away. Let the tongues which have tasted of English food only utter the language of the great nation." This suggestion was warmly supported. A fine piece of land (they say 1000 acres) has been set apart as a school site. Since the reduction of the Missionary body in the Diocese of Waiapu the Natives have been deprived of medical attention, and several instances of death by poisoning have been the result of their attempts to administer relief. Numbers have been carried off by epidemics which reacily yield to the presciiptions of a ekilful physician. The want of a general overseer of agricultural and mechanical works is seriously felt. They have a large number of ploughs, &c., which being of very inferior quality are soon out of order, and the disheartened owners must either lay the article aside as useless, or perform a three days' journey to Tauranga to get it repaired. This almost any handy European could do in a few minutes; and I feel convinced that this incentive to the extension of agricultural operations would be productive of much good. Before concluding this brief and imperfectly sketched outline, I feel it to be my duty to draw the attention of the Government to the Tuianga and Table Cape Districts, especially as the temper of the natives in the foimer materially affects the disposition of those residing at Nawa and its neighbourhood. They are, at least, so far disaffected as to be engaged in preparations for the reception of a deputation from Waikato. Vessels are to be sent to Tauranga during the early part of next month, to meet the Ngatimaniapoto chiefs and convey them toTauianga. I think it would be most decidedly a failure to attempt to bring the two Acts into operation in those districts, but at the same time 1 consider that it will be highly impolitic to let them entirely alone. I have, &c, William B. Baker, Resident Magistrate, E.G. The Native Secretary, &c, &c, &c. \_Mr. Baker brought this Report to Auckland, and received his further instructions verbally.~\

No. 3. KEPORTS OF PROPOSED CESSION OF A PIECE OF LAND FOR RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S RESIDENCE. Auckland, January 9th, 1862. Sir, — The Natives of the Waiapu District having offered to cede a piece of land (estimated to contain from 15 to 20 acres) to the Crown, as the site for the residence of the Magistrate, I have the honor to request that I may be informed what steps are to be taken in order to the execution of the necessary deed of cession. The Natives of Tokomaru offered a site for the same purpose during my recent visit, or rather, I should say, expressed their willingness to do so in case any difficulty was experienced at Waiapu in procuring one. Under these circumstances, and anticipating the location at some future time of a Magistrate within the Tokomaru District, I would suggest that their present disposition should be availed of, especially as from my long and personal acquaintance with them I am sanguine of success in this matter. I have, &c., William B. Baker, E. M. The Native Secretary, &c., &c.

January 15th, 1862. In my General Report of the 3rd instant, I stated the particulars connected with the offer of a site for a Magistrate's residence, viz.:— That the Natives positively declined to sell an acre of land.

5

EAST CAPE.