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adjoin that of Europeans. Others have expressed a desire to purchase small pieces of Crown lands in the Opotiki Valley, in order that they may have better facilities for taking their crops to market. I have, &c., The Under Secretary, Native Department, George A. Preece, Wellington. Resident Magistrate.

No. 13. Mr. J. H. Campbell, R.M., Waiapu, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir,— . Waiapu, 23rd May, 1878. In compliance with the request contained in your circular letter of the 25th April, I have the honor to report very favourably of the general condition of the Native population of this district during the past year. Industry is increasing; more attention is being paid to comfort and cleanliness in their dwellings, dress, and mode of living; and a growing disposition towards temperance is noticeable on all occasions of their meeting together. The late season has been most fruitful, and food of all kinds is abundant. Less sickness than usual has prevailed, and fewer deaths. The census return lately taken does not show a very great decrease in the population during the last four years. This may be owing to the fact that many who had, during the disturbances, gone to other parts of the Island, have since returned to their homes. The schools at Waiomatatine and Akuaku are doing well, the average attendance being from fifty to sixty scholars. The people of this immediate neighbourhood are to hold a meeting this week for the purpose of ascertaining what number of children can be secured for regular attendance at the Waiapu School, before applying to the Government to have the school reopened. The attendance at Kawakawa and Tokomaru Schools is improving. Judging by the amount of success that has attended these schools at their first establishment, there is every reason to hope that the effort to benefit the Native race will be the means, eventually, of fitting many of the rising generation to become useful members of the community. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, J. H. Campbell, Wellington. Resident Magistrate.

No. 14. Captain Porter, Gisborne, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Native Office, Gisborne, sth June, 1878. I have the honor, in accordance with your instructions contained in Circular No. 11, of 25th April last, to furnish a report upon the circumstances of the Natives in this district. The condition and feeling of the Natives show a marked change, chiefly attributable to the large increase of European population, and the consequent closer intercoivrse with European civilization. In the beginning of last year the habits of drunkenness, extravagance, and neglect of ordinary cultivation were painfully apparent to those who wish the Natives well. This state of things was principally owing to the large expenditure of capital in the purchase of lauds by the Government and by private investors. These easily-gotten funds had the usual effect, as in almost every village was to be found a house for the sale of spirits, kept by some Native who had succeeded in obtaining sufficient funds to enable him to open a publichouse on his own account. In the years 1876-77 there were no less than fifty-two houses for the sale of spirits between the Turanganui River and Hicks Bay, forty-two of which were kept by Natives. The spread of Good-Templarism has tended to greatly remedy this evil, which I feared would reduce the Natives to a confirmed state of intemperance and poverty. Another powerful lever in the change taking place is the general desire to institute some system of self-government; and committees or bodies somewhat analogous with the old runangas have been established, and have exerted a strong influence upon the state of the Natives, both in habits and in land matters. It would be wise to encourage, to a limited extent, this selfgovernment in out-districts, particularly in connection with land disputes. The committees, as now formed, although evincing a laudable self-reliance, have threatened to become dangerous by the wrongful assumption of unauthorized powers. A very earnest return to religious observances is now general throughout the tribes, and funds have been and are still being raised for the erection of churches, and the foundation of stipend funds to support Native clergymen. The attendance at the Native schools continues regular, and several applications have been made for the erection of schools at settlements not already so favoured. I have, &c, T. W. Porter, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Captain and Adjutant, Wellington. Commanding East Coast District,