127

H.-31.

Masterton, 31st March, 1908. Dr. Pomare, Health Officer to the Maoris, Wellington. The following table shows the number of houses built, &c, during the three years of my inspectorship in this district:- —

Since the advent of Hikapuhi the old inebriates have recommenced to drink. 1 made repeated efforts to check this evil, and now that 1 am also Chairman of the Rongokako Council I am confident that my task will be much lightened. The sanitary work will also be much aided by making use of the Komiti Maraes under my control. During the year the number of Native farmers in the district has greatly increased, the total at present being twenty-four. The greater part of the land, comprising 108,261 acres, however, is leased. Acres farmed, 32,807; sheep, 21,270; horses, 174; cattle, 617. I wish to say a word concerning the importation of liquor to the Maori kaingas. I have asked the older and more influential Natives not to order any more liquor, and they have promised not to do so. Sanitary matters have been progressing more smoothly since my appointment as Chairman of the Council. I have attended five meetings, at each of which I pointed out the wrong and right ways to health, &c. I have received a petition from the Natives asking that a medical attendant, whom they will name, be appointed for them. This is all. Good health to you ! T. te Tau, Native Sanitary Inspector. Putiki, 28th April, 1908. Dr. Pomare, Health Officer to the Maoris, Wellington. 0 friend, Dr. Pomare! Greetings to you! I herewith submit some figures regarding the houses of the Natives in the Wanganui Maori Council District and the Waitotara and Kai Iwi pas: Pas visited, 46; houses destroyed, 26-1; new houses built, 229; new W.C.s built, 82. All the pas are well conducted. , Hoiu Pukehika, Native Sanitary Inspector. Waimatatini, Port Awanui, Ist February, 1908.. To Dr. Maui Pomare, Health Officer to the Maoris, Wellington. As the Minister of Health has been good enough to appoint me Native Sanitary Inspector for the Horouta Maori Council District, I herewith forward my first report, for the month af January. You are aware of the boundaries of this district, within which lie the 107 pas which are named in the schedule attached. The tribes and hapus of this district are as under : (1) Ngatiporou, Waipiro to Wharekahika; (2) Whanau-a-Maru, Whangaparaoa to Wairuru; (3) Whanau-a-te Hutu, Wairuru to Waiorore; (4) Whanau-a-Panui, Waiore to Hawai; (5) Ngaitai, Torere. I made an enumeration of the population of this district during the month. I have placed separately the number of adults and children from fifteen years downward, so as to make everything clear at the outset. Total number of adults, 1,822; total number of children, 1,173. I am keeping an account of the houses of each settlement, further particulars of which I give in the schedule : Meeting-houses, 48; churches, 20 ; weatherboard houses, 275 ; kautas (palings), 159; Maori whares, 254; W.C.s, 26. I spent the whole of the month in visiting the different settlements of the Horouta District, during which time I explained to the people the nature of the duties conferred upon me, and ascertained the position of their Komiti Maraes. I also endeavoured to fulfil your orders—namely (1) that each householder must have a W.C., and (2) that I should point out that dirty water and other filthy matter must not be thrown about the houses. , I have given these instructions throughout the district. The Horouta Council has requested me to keep a sharp lookout, because liquor has been taken to the maraes and meetings. The building of houses of the modern type is speedily increasing, and at the present time houses of this description are to be seen at kaingas which a short time ago had not owned such. However, the conducting of pas upon sanitary lines is very backward owing to the negligence of the Komiti Maraes. Some of the kaingas are well kept, but others are very insanitary. I have

Year. Pas. Houses. Old Houses. Houses Houses renewed, painted. Houses TT without Hous <f W.C.s. P assed ' W.C.s built. 1905-6 1906-7 1907-8 ) r i 45 56 67 225 10 8 9 II 21 25 43 18 I 75 77 77 32 196 120 1 8 7 108 281 204 L?ID ' Totals 67 243 20 46 61