E—No. 7

W. B. White, Esq.

Mr. E. Baker.

their indolence of character, and the known difficulty of effecting changes iii the customs of a people, they are more likely to change for the worse, if not actively assisted. The war at Tarannki naturally excited them, many rumours of a startling character having reached them ; but they were almost unanimously desirous that the rebels should be defeated, and the King movement put down. They have certainly improved in their mode of agriculture, ploughs and carts being more frequent within these last few years. A serious epidemic of a typhoid character has carried off many during the last year. I may further remark, that I have been preparing the Natives to consider the propriety of indirldualizing their lands ; but the subject is so mised up as a tribal and hapu right, that very few can be got to acknowledge that it is possible, though admitting its desirability. With regard to the Natives in the neighbouring districts of the Bay of Islands and Hokianga, I can sc?rcely speak with authority ; but it appears to be very necessary that a Magistrate should reside at Hokianga. To effect any improvement iq the Natives, it is most desirable they should be in constant communication with a European Magistrate ,• and it is quite impossible that the Officer of that district can obtain any lasting influence over the people of a district extensive enough for three Magistrates. When at Wangaruru lately, on my way to Auckland, I was informed that the Magistrate visited that district twice a year. This is certainly not sufficient ; but lam quite aware that the difficulties the Magistrate has to contend with in getting to that part of his district, are very great. Hokianga again, has a large Native population, scattered over a country most difficult to traverse. The Magistrate; therefore, can know little of the people except from the reports of his Assessors, as it is quite impossible for him to visit the many settlements. I therefore think that Hokianga should form a separate district, from Herekinoto Waimea, including all the Hokianga river; there would then be ample work for an Officer in the remaining part of the country, without crossing the Bay of Islands waters. The people along the coast might be supervised by an Officer from Waugarei or elsewhere. I have been induced to make these remarks from my knowledge of the country, which it was, some years ago, a part of my duty to visit, and from experience in my present district, where I find that my presence amongst the people is very frequently required, to keep them from lapsing into indifference; though the country I have to traverse is not so difficult to travel as the districts winch I have indicated. I trust that my anxiety to give the Natives every opportunity of advancement in civilization, will be received as an excuse for thus remarking upon a district over which an Officer has been appointed to preside. % have, &c, The Native Secretary, W. B. WniTE, Auckland. Resident Magistrate, No. 10. WELLINGTON. REPORT FROM MR. E. BAKER, NATIVE INTERPRETER. Wellington, August 21st, 1861. Sir,— I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated the 7th August instant, enclosing copy of a circular letter issued by the Government to the officers of the Native Department, in which you request me to give such information respecting the Native tribes with which I am acquainted, as I may be able to furnish. I beg to enclose herewith a list of the tribes within forty miles of Wellington,—the Christian and Native names of the chiefs of each tribe, —the number of each Iribe, as fur as I can ascertain, —their sentiment towards the Government, —their disposition and conduct towards Europeans genenerally. I would state that the behaviour of the Natives towards the Europeans in general, is very good : but not so towards the Government. I feel confident that were the Natives allowed the same rights to which an Englishman is entitled, the mistrust they now openly declare towards the Government would for the most part be removed. The Natives consider that they are not fairly dealt with; they are dissatisfied in not being represented in the General Assembly; they state that may promises have been made to them respecting their lands, which have not been fulfilled; they complain that when they address the Government by letter upnn any subject, their communication or request is but seldom noticed. Another grievance is concerning the Reserves that have from time to time been granted to them; they cannot understand ■why the monies arising from the lease of the Reserves granted for the benefit of particular tribes should go into a general fund; they complain that the monies of this nature which have for several years been paid into the account of the Commissioners of Native Reserves should be unaccounted for to them. The settling of these grievances, and allowing them the same rights and privileges in all respects as are possessed by Europeans, I consider to be of the most vital importance at all times, and more especially so in the present state of Native affairs. There can be no doubt that the Natives in this neighbourhood have been greatly excited by the Taranaki war, for the simple reason that not for some time after hostilities had commenced were they

24

REPORTS ON THE STATE OF THE NATIVES