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A Compendium of Official Documents Relative to Native Affairs in the South Island. Volume Two.

No. 10. — Extracts from a letter from Hon. J. C. Richmond, to Mr. Alexander Mackay, R.M., Native Commissioner

No. 10.
Extracts from a letter from Hon. J. C. Richmond, to Mr. Alexander Mackay, R.M., Native Commissioner.

Native Secretary's Office,
Wellington, November 22nd, 1867.

Sir,

The object of your journey to the South, at the present time, is to visit the different Native settlements, for the purpose of giving to the Natives the information and assistance which will enable page 143them to bring to a conclusion any inchoate arrangements as to their reservse, and of explaining to them the recant Acts of the Legislature, as to the Native lands, schools, and the representation of the Natives in the General Assembly.

It will farther he your duty to enquire into and report upon the general condition of the Natives in each settlement, having in view the promises made to them at the time of the purchase of their lands by the Government, as to the establishment of Schools and hospitals, and also upon any special question which may arise in any particular locality.

It will also be your duty in each settlement to see that forms of application to the Native Land Court are properly filled in and forwarded to the Chief Judge.

You have already been informed of the wishes of the Government as to the bringing of "The Maori Representation Act" into force.

I enclose twenty copies of "The Native Schools Act, 1867," which you are requested to distribute among those interested; a summary of its provisions has appeared in the Kahiti. It is very desirable that some arrangement should be come to with the Managers of Local Schools in the neighbourhood of any Maori settlement, wherever these exist, for the admission of Native children.

You will observe that one object of the provisions of the Act is to promote an interest among the Natives themselves in the education of their children, by making the Government subsidy dependent, to a certain extent, on their own efforts; experience having shown that what is too easily obtained is liable to be lightly valued. Some portion of the school fees in European schools should, with this view, be provided by the parents according to their circumstances. I enclose a copy of the Form of Quarterly Returns which will be required.

I enclose herewith some Native letters having reference to matters which require your attention in the several localities in accordance with the minutes endorsed.

There is a correspondence as to the reserve at the Hakataramea in the hands of the Provincial Government of Canterbury. The previous papers are printed in the Appendix of 1858. You will see to the carrying out of this arrangement.

At Moeraki you will give your attention to the necessity of providing some more permanent supply of water. It is believed that this may be done by the erection of a large shed with a metallic roof and tanks to receive the rainwater. The Natives have been led to expect help in this undertaking, and you will report as to the best means of carrying it out, furnishing estimates of the cost, &c. There is a water-hole in the neighbourhood which they are desirous of obtaining. You will ascertain the position of the title, and whether it can be purchased for them.

In Otago you will confer with Mr, Strode, Commissioner of Native Reserves, as to the Reserve at the Heads, and as to the Port Chalmers Reserve. In the former case it will, probably, be advisable that the reserve though under the provisions of "The Native Reserves Act," should be referred for sub-division to the Court; in the latter case it is thought advisable that the reserve should be sold by auction, but upon this point you will report after seeing Mr. Strode.

I have, &c.,

J. C. Richmond.

Alexander Mackay, Esq., R.M.,
Native Commissioner, Wellington.