D—No. 16,

18

REPORTS EROM THE COMMISSIONER

Difficulties are now arising in respect to the necessity of fencing in the Native Eeserves, where they lie contiguously to European lands that are utilised—the Native owners not appearing to be aware of the propriety of contributing towards the cost of the common fence. The fencing law of Canterbury appears to be defective, and the Natives seem to be aware of it. This should be corrected, as it is very undesirable that the Maoris should regard any of our laws as in-operative ; and equally so that they should come to disregard the duties that devolve upon them as Crown Grantees of land in improving districts. Kaiapoi Eeserve. The portion of this reserve tinted grey and green in the appended plan B, is yet to be partitioned off by survey between certain Natives who have had an insufficient quantity or no land allotted to them. This should be done at once, as the preparation of Crown Grants and the utilization of that part of the reserve —about 450 acres —await the partition. In order to facilitate this, I have had prepared a schedule and lithograph of the Eeserve, distinguishing allotted and vacant portions. Unsurveyed Beserves. A few of the Native Beserves, —Lake Ellesmere, Section 28, 38, &c., —have not been surveyed ; his Honor the Superintendent has, however, promised that they shall be measured, in order that correct plans may be ready for the use of the Native Land Court at its next sitting at Canterbury, when the titles to these Eeserves may be individualized. Eeseryes that should be Exchanged. The Eeserve No. B 1-4. at Lake Forsyth, was made on the belief that it was the site of old Maori graves. There appears however, to be no ground for such belief, and as the Eeserve—a long narrow strip—is useless for cultivation, and is required for a road, it is desirable that it should be conveyed to the Superintendent of Canterbury, and an equal area of cultivable land in the vicinity substituted for it. The allotment 232 in the town of Lyttelton, was purchased in 1863 for the sum of £250 for the site of a Native Hostelry; (see plan appended) and a good house built upon it for the convenience of travelling Natives. The Maoris, however, do not appear to frequent it. It stands on a spur about sixty feet above the beach, and the Natives when landing from canoes, prefer erecting tents on the immediate beach to carrying their loads up the hill. I beg to recommend that the land and building should be either let or sold —as an advantageous offer might be received —and the proceeds devoted to obtaining a more suitable locality for the object. In the meantime the building might be used advantageously as a school house in connection with the adjacent Orphanage. Eaukawa Block. The Block 12373, at Eaukawa, containing 1.50 acres, purchased by Mr. Commissioner Mackay in 1868, to supplement the land of the Natives in that locality, should, I think, be vested in Trustees; and I would respectfully recommend the persons, whose names are set forth in the margin* for the trust. Kaiapoi School. It is very desirable that the Kaiapoi school house, lately burnt down, should be rebuilt. The school, under the able management of the Eev. Mr. Stack, has been of great benefit to the Natives of both the East and West Coasts; and I think that a part of the cost of rebuilding it might be defrayed from funds that have accrued, and are in the Treasury, from rents of the West Coast Beserves. Monies in the possession of the Government, legally disbursable under the Native Schools Act, 1867, might also coniribute. But to make such outlay regular, a site must be granted to the Queen. The site of the late buildings having been land held by the Bishop of Christchurch as land in trust for educational purposes in connection with the Church of England. To obtain such site I have put myself in communication with His Lordship the Bishop, and the Kaiapoi Natives, and hope shortly to have the honor of communicating a successful result. Value of the Beseryes. The Beserves in the Province of Canterbury unquestionably form a magnificent estate for the existing remnant of the people that formerly owned the land. During the twenty years that preceded the advent of the white settlers, I am assured that the Natives of this part of New Zealand suffered by wars a decrease of seventy-five per cent of their numbers. Although from other causes there appears still a tendency to decrease, it is yet a satisfaction to have the assurance that whilst European settlement spread over their country, the material and the moral wants of tho Native people were well attended to. I have the honor to acknowledge the assistance which was rendered me by His Honor the Superintendent and the Provincial Secretary in giving me access to the public plans. The aid of Mr. Tancred, M.H.8., of the Chief Surveyor, Mr. Davie, and the Eegistrar of Deeds, [Mr. Maude, was freely given and of much value. H. J. Tancred, Esq., Alexander Mackay, Esq., Charles Heaphy, Esq.