E—No. 7

Eraser, Esq.

I. M. Cooh, Esq.

Xo. 12. MANAWATU. REPORT FROM T. M. COOK, ESQ., J.P. Manawatu, August 25th, 1861 Sic,I bag to acknowledge receipt of yours of the 7th instant, enclosing copy of a circular issu.-d by the Government to officers of the Native department, calling upon them to report generally as to the' state of the Natives in the several districts in which they are stationed, accompanied also with a request that I would furnish any information in my power bearing on the subject. In compliance with your request, I will endeavour to convey to you any knowledge or information that I imagine may bi useful to the Government. In the first place, as to the present state of the Natives in this district of the Manawatu, I must say that for years 1 have not known them to be in so deplorable a condition as the present They are very short of food, deeply in deht, and more than usually indolent; those indebted to Europeans in most instances openly repudiate their debts; whereas debts to others of their own race are readily recovered through their Kunangas. Implicit obediencs is always enforced to the decisions of their courts, to the extent of tak'mg horses, cattle, or any kind of property the party may possess, until the bum awarded by the court, including court expenses, is paid: there has not been here any case between a European and Native carried into their court, but there have been instances of it at Otaki and Eangitikw. The Native Assessors very frequently act in concert with, and take the lead in conducting the business of, these courts. It is a matter of consideration for the Government how far these Runangas might be made to work beneficially by appointing suitable and qualified officers to preside over them. A proof that some court or authority capable of punishing crime is now highly necessary is the fact, that robberies are very much on the increase. Formerly the Natives were so hrmest that no one thought of locking or bolting their doors, but the case is now very different ; robberies are frequent, and in no case yet have the parties been punished; this has had a most injurious effect, as the knowledge that they might steal with impunity has made many thieves that were previously honest. My opinion as to the sentiments entertained by the Natives on this river and neighbourhood towards the Government is anything but flattering or satisfactory. Some few, but very few, and at their head jhakara Tukumaru and Kuruho Rangimaru, are most anxious to see order and confidence restored and

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REPORTS ON THE STATE OF THE NATIVES

Name of Settlemeut. Christian and Surname. Political opinions (if any). Te Uhiroa, Maungaraki " Te Waihinga ii it ii a " Ilurunuiorangi cc cc cc ti Tapurupuru and Hinewaka ti ii »c <c Te Whiti - cc cc " Manohawea c< cc TaraatiNikorima te Marataua - Hereinaia Tamaikotua - Te Maliaha Te Waka Tuaahi Ngairo Takaiakapatea - Meihaua Potahi Maika Purakau Wire;iiu Katene Piripi Tuapa - Wairua Te Tahaua Te Teira HarnueraNgamaua Rihari Te Kepa Pohoua Te lliko Tamaikoia Wiremu Tamehana Hiket Te Retimana - ErueraRihari - Anaru Tukokairangi Raniera Te-iho-o-te-Rangi Ihaia Kaninamu Te Waka Wereta Kawakairangi - Hotia Wakataha Karauria Kihia Ilape - King movement (Waikato) tt a ti i. cc cc (C CC cc tt Loyal cc " Tc Hautotara Te Waitapu, Tahitarata cc cc King movement (Waikato) cc cc Loyal cc cc l> cc " Tauanui - " Turanganui it cc Loyal cc cc East Coast, Eperaima - " Te Iluahua " Pahoao " Otakuao - King movement (Waikato) Loyal King movement (Waikato) CC Ma: ,COLM FRASER, Government Surveyor. Wellington, August 20, 18C0.