G.—l2

14

I return herewith copy of census 1881, sent down for my guidance. I also forward vouchers and sub-vouchers for expenditure incurred by the Sub-enumerators for settlement. I have, &c, P. Pender, The Commissioner, Armed Constabulary, Wellington. Inspector.

No. 19. Inspector Broham, Timaru, to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sir,— Constabulary Office, Timaru, 9th March, 1886. I have the honour to forward herewith the Maori census for the Geraldine and Waimate Counties. There is no Native population in the Mackenzie County. So far as can be ascertained, the population of those counties is stationary, there being neither increase nor decrease since the last census was taken. The Natives in both counties have adopted the Fhiropean mode of living, and dress in the same manner, eat the same food, and live in cottages not very unlike those occupied by their white neighbours of the labouring class. In habits of cleanliness they are, however, much behind the Europeans, their cottages are dirty and disorderly, and they are given to overcrowding. There is no real poverty amongst them, but they are improvident and live sumptuously sometimes, which occasions a return to hard fare afterwards. They arc subject to fevers and lung diseases, which arise, as is well known, from their inattention to clothing ; sometimes in the hottest weather their dress is of the heaviest, and then again in extreme cold they are to be seen going lightly clad. At Temuka very few of the Native children attend school, the parents not thinking it would be of any advantage, and possessed of the idea that the nearer approach they made to living as they did fifty years ago the larger and stronger they would become. At Waimate most of the children attend school and pick up knowledge rapidly. I have, &c, T. W. Bewis, Esq., Under-Secretary, Native Department, T. Broham, Wellington. Inspector.

No. 20. Inspector THOMPSON, Oamaru, to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Constabulary Office, Oamaru, sth April, 1886. In accordance with the instructions contained in your circular of the 30th December last I have the honour herewith to forward tho results of the Maori census for the County of W raitaki as taken in the third week in February. These results show that the Native population has in a comparative sense considerably decreased, for, although the number of those over fifteen years of age is, I find, 92 exactly, the number that it was in 1881, those under that age number only 47, against 79 in 1881. I have tried to find out the cause of this decrease, but I have had considerable difficulty in doing so. I am informed that a good number have left for other parts of this Island, and doubtless this is true, but still I think there is the further fact that the Natives here can hardly be considered a prolific race. There has been no epidemic, but I think exposure to wet and damp, through lying on damp floors, and to wet weather, has in many instances produced consumption, and that this has carried away a large number. The fact is very evident that although the Natives in my district are temperate in the use of alcoholic liquor, as it is but very rarely indeed one of their number is seen under the influence of liquor, still the exercise of ordinary prudence would considerably add to their comfort and prosperity. For instance, at Mocraki they own 600 acres of land, some of it fairly good, but none in cultivation; at Waitaki they own 400 acres, poor land, but certainly fit for grazing purposes; it is not cultivated : and they have not a cow at cither place to yield milk for the sustenance of their children. At the former place they own between 700 and 1,000 sheep—they seem reticent about the exact number—and at both places they have a number of horses, from which, so far as I can judge, they reap no profit. In carrying out this work I have been greatly assisted by Thomas Pratt, Esq., M.H.R., the Native representative in the General Assembly, to whom I take this opportunity of recording my thanks. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, A. Thompson, Wellington. Inspector, Armed Constabulary.

No. 21. Inspector W'eldon, Dunedin, to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sir,— Police Office, Dunedin, 29th March, 1886. Having, in obedience to instructions, taken the Maori census, during the third week of February, for the Counties of Waikouaiti, Taieri, Peninsula, Maniototo, and Waihemo, I annex hereto my summary thereof, and also forward the Sub-enumerators' returns.