G.—2

1874. NEW ZEALAND.

REPORTS FROM OFFICERS IN NATIVE DISTRICTS.

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by Command of Sis Excellency.

No. 1. The Under Secretary to Officers in Native Districts. (Circular.) Sir,— Native Office, Wellington, 24th April, 1874. I have the honor, by direction of the Native Minister, to request that you will be good enough to send in the usual annual report on the state of the Natives in your district before the 31st May proximo, in order that no delay may take place in printing the reports for Parliament. I have, &c, H. T. Clarke, Under Secretary.

No. 2. The Eesident Magistrate, Mongonui, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — ■ Eesident Magistrate's Office, Mangonui, Bth May, 1874. I have the honor to report that throughout this district the Natives are quietly pursuing the ordinary avocations of farming, kauri gum digging, and road making under the various Eoad Boards. This latter work is, of course, of a very limited description, and much anxiety is felt as to the resumption of work by the Public "Works Department. The road to Victoria, with the exception of a line being cut through the bush, appears to have been abandoned, to the surprise of the inhabitants, both Europeans and Natives, at a time when the Government are acquiring large tracts of country between Victoria and Hokianga. It was hoped that this road would have been pushed through, and immigrants located in the neighbourhood ; it would also have opened up the district through its most fertile country, and given employment to the Natives, who have been found by the Eoad Boards to do their work well. I may congratulate the Government upon my having so little to report; but with the exception of one case of reputed spirit selling—an attempt to establish a grog shop, which is shortly to be brought before the Court—the cases brought before the Courts are of a trifling nature. The schools throughout the district are well attended and very popular : they are six in number, and I verily believe they will prove a great success. The true principle of requiring the parents to contribute towards the education of their children being now tried for the first time, will give them, in my opinion, the interest wanted in all former trials, and will break down that constant craving for Government support which has been so conspicuous in all former efforts to raise the standard of Native character. If the inducement were offered by Government of a cadetship in one of the Government Offices for an advanced pupil, I believe it would act greatly as a stimulant to the boys. I would also suggest that a small annual Government prize given to the head boy, would be of great advantage. I cannot help thinking that money spent in this way would prove of great encouragement to the Natives, proving to them that the Government feels a continued interest in their advancement. It is only right that I should mention that deputations from various parts of the district have been to Whangaroa, to advise the friends of Papu, the murderer, to submit to the law, and give him up to justice. I have, &c, W. B. "White, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Eesident Magistrate.

No. 3. The Eesident Magistrate, Hokianga, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir,— Eesident Magistrate's Office, Hokianga, 12th May, 1874. In forwarding my annual report of the state of the Native population in this district, owing to the quiet and orderly conduct of the Natives, there is but little change to communicate for the information of the Government since my last annual report in April, 1873. A considerable number of cases, between Natives only, have been brought before me during the last year, as also several between I—G. 2.