OF NATIVE RESERVES

5

Tt is observed by the trustees of private trusts in Auckland that 21 years is too short a term to be attractive to good tenants. I respectfully recommend to the consideration of the Government the propriety of making 40 years the maximum period in all future grants of beneficial trusts to European trustees.* The foregoing sums, at their highest estimate, constitute, however, but a small income in relation to what is necessary for the legitimate—-I do not allude to the political—government of the Natives. Educational and industrial institutions for their benefit arc necessary, as well as hospital and luuaticand other asylums. All these expenses, which, whether borne by the Provincial or General Governments, must be heavy, might be met by landed endowments. I would, therefore, recommend a very considerable addition to be made to the reserves in confiscated blocks for such purpose, and append a list (list E.) of convenient lands. It is proper, however, to contemplate the arrival of a time when no distinction of race will exist as far as these purposes are concerned, and I would recommend that the terms of the tn'S* should not be of such a nature as to make the revenue available exclusively for the benefit of the Maoris, t By Schedule A—l it appears that there are 1,022,GG9 acres held in trust for the benefit of the Natives of the Province. By Schedule C—l it will be seen that there have been reserved for Natives, by means of restrictions in Crown Grants issued under the Native Land Court, an area of 258,735 acres, and by Schedules B 1, and 2it appears that in other ways 2G,5G8 acres have been set apart for their benefit. This aggregate area of 1,307,973 acres, together with the large area of unceded land which is still available for them, appears a tolerably sufficient provision for the future wants of a people that does not appear to be increasing in numbers. It is possible, however, that there may be some tribes that have sold recklessly, and are in danger of becoming paupers. The ramifications of famil}' and hapu make it a very difficult thing to arrive at the precise extent of land held by any one tribe, but a careful collation of the schedules with the map, aided by what information is available as to the numbers of the respective tribes, indicate the .Rarawa of Mongonu', the - Ngatiwhatua of Auckland, and the Patukirikiri of Coromandel, as those that have the least extent of land left in proportion to what they have sold. The schedules show that there are about 24,290 acres reserved for the Rarawa. The population of that tribe is estimated at 1,275 souls, thus the average is 19 acres per head. The Ngatiwhatua tribe comprises about 254 souls, and has 10,251 acres reserved, or 40 acres per head. The Patukirikiri. of Coromandel, have about 100 acres of cultivable land for a fast-diminishing population of 29 souls. This area would have been less, but for the reservation in 1857, at the instance of Mr. Commissioner McLean, of the Tsland of Motu Tapere, which is fertile, and in the midst of good fisheries. All their other land fit for cultivation at Coromandel the Patukirikiri have sold. They, however, have possessions by collateral relationship at Koputawake and Whaugapoua, so that there is no present danger of their becoming destitute. The extent, however, of the land they have sold within the last six years, amounting as it does to 6822 acres, shows that the temptations presented by the high value of land near a goldfield will induce natives to sell recklessly that which should be held sacred for their children. J Having regard, then, to the circumstances of these tribes with low areas of land, I would recommend that none of the cultivations of the Rarawa or Ngatiwhatua tribes should be allowed to be sold ; that an area of GCO aura should be made inalienable at Koputawake, and 600 acres lying immediately south of the Pungapunga stream, for the future wants of the Coromandel hapus. I also recommend that 1000 acres at Waitaia, Mercury Bay, should be reserved for the future wants of the Natives of that place, and 444 acres at Opito Point for the Natives of Otama. I would draw attention to the fact that there exist lar^e tracts of land at Hokianga and Bay of Islands that have reverted to the Crown as "surplus land," on old land purchases. To the sale and Crown Granting of this in the ordinary manner, as waste lands, there exist acknowledged difficulties — such, indeed, as to prevent their settlement These difficulties would not exist, however, in many cases if the lands were appropriated as endowments towards the support of Natives in local hospitals, and I think an arrangement might be made between the General and Provincial Governments, by which a lai-ge estate might thus be utilised, and the local revenue relieved of a liability that presses heavily. Schedule D shoivs lands granted to friendly Natives, in which no provision has been made for necessary roads. These lands have been allotted, apparently, under the provisions of " The New Zealand Settlements Act, 18G3," and Crown Grants issued under "The Friendly Natives Contracts Coiifirmation Act, 1866." Agreement was made, I believe, with the Natives to whom the land was allotted that necessary roads should within five years be taken, but no provision was made in the Crown Grants to that effect. The period for taking such roads expires on the Ist August, IS7I, and I thought it my duty to draw the attention of the agent of the General Government at Auckland to the circumstance, and to the desirability of taking the roads before the expiration of the term. At the suggestion of that officer I have drawn on the maps the several lines of road that appear necessary, and the Native grantees have been informed of the roads being required. * See Reports of Native School Trustees to the Diocesan Synod of Auckland, 1870. + The Endowment for the Hostelries ia " for Natives and other poor persons visiting Auckland." £ The Coromandel Native population in 1858 was 351 souls, in 1870 it appears to have been 280, showing a decrease of 71 souls in l'J years. — Pub Mr Fenton's compilation of Census Returns, 1859, and " Return of the Names of the Tribes of the North Island, &c," in Appendix to Journals, 1870.