E.—l4a

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I fear that, the statistics as to stock, crops, &c.. can only be accepted as fairly accurate, as many of the Natives seemed to be under the apprehension that the collating of the particulars was a preliminary to taxation, and in consequence it is probable that the figures given in the return are under the mark. It is gratifying to report, that in almost all cases the sub-enumerators report that the health of the Native community has been eminently satisfactory during the past five years, and that they have not been visited by any severe epidemic. This result may be partly attributable to the fact that the Government's Sanitary Inspector and the local Maori Councils have insisted on better sanitation, but it is. I think, mainly due to the influence of education on the younger generation, as a result of which the old Maori whare is now the exception rather than the rule, its place having been taken by weatherboard houses on European lines. The ravages of the potato-blight, which caused such a lamentable state of affairs among the Native population a few years ago, appeai-s to have been checked, and I notice that the majority of the subenumerators report that there is no scarcity of food this year. One effect of the blight has been to cause the Maori to rely less extensively on the potato as a staple article of diet, and kumara-oultivation is in consequence more in evidence. The land legislation which came into operation last year, and which practically opened the door to free trade in Native land, has resulted in large areas being sold to Europeans, and in consequence the Natives in this district seem to be fairly well off financially just at present. Many of them are using the money so obtained for the purpose of farming their land, and in the Waikato a large number of them are regular suppliers to the creameries. It is noticeable that a large number of the Natives, particularly the younger generation, are working for Europeans, while a large number are also employed by the Government in the Hauraki Plains drainage-works, in railway-construction, road-making, &c. If I may make a. suggestion, I would urge that it is desirable that the next census should be taken about a month earlier. In some districts it is necessarily a work which must occupy some time, and it would be advisable that all the sub-enumerators should finish their field-work before the rainy season. The sub-enumerator for the Awakino County reports having had a rather adventurous experience in fording a river. Another argument in favour of an earlier enumeration is furnished by the fact that a Native carnival and regatta is held at Ngaruawahia each year on the 17th March, it is estimated that nearly two thousand Natives attended this function, so you will recognize that the work of the sub-enumerators was not facilitated by the fact that so many Natives were on the move. I beg to append a collection of extracts from the reports of some of the sub-enumerators, and which should be found to be of interest. I have, &c. The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington,, W. H. Bowler, Enumerator.

Extracts prom Reports of Sub-enumerators. Constable W. R. Lowry, sub-enumerator for the Piako County, states, — The health of the Natives in the Piako County is and has been very good. They have not suffered from any disease or epidemic. Some of them are making an effort to cultivate their land, especially about Waharoa, where they have very good crops of turnips and oats. Their genera] social condition is good. Mr. Mark Barton, sub-enumerator for the Ohinemuri County, states, — In my travels T noticed that the crops were fairly good all round. Mr. W. S. Gordon, sub-enumerator for the Matamata County, states, — I heard no complaints as to scarcity of food in this country. Those who planted potatoes assured mc that they would have plenty to carry them through till next planting season. Most of the younger Natives are employed by Europeans at a, weekly wage, so that that they are very rarely to be found at their kaingas. This applies more particularly to those living around Matamata and Waharoa. A good few of the Natives have started dairy-farming, and a. few are making it pay. I must say I have never visited a more prosperous and healthy Maori district : I heard of only two sick persons in my whole district. They all appear to be striving to live a more European [jf e t | liU , formerly. Mr. W. Stilbbs, sub-enumerator for part of the Waikato County, states, — I have found no illness amongst the Natives, and am pleased to say that they are making headway towards cultivating their lands. Mr. Pepa Kirkwood, sub-enumerator for the Raglan County, states, — The Maoris in this district are increasing in number through adopting the European way of life. They are also getting industrious in the way of farming and so forth. It is very pleasing to see the great difference from five years ago. There has not been any epidemic of any sort for the last few years. The whole people in general are looking very healthful and are flourishing in every way. 1 am sure that in a few years a good third of the population in my district, will be worthy citizens of this Dominion. Mr. Remana Nutana, sub-enumerator for portions of the Manukau. Waikato. Thames. Ohinemuri. and Piako Counties, states, — The general state of health is very satisfactory, and a large number are employed by Europeans and by the Government on the Piako Swamp. The potato-crops of the Natives I visited were all destroyed by the blight.