1. Population. Location of Tribes.

The Native population of the Middle Island cannot be estimated at more than 2,400 souls.

The principal tribes are the Ngatirarua, Ngatiawa, Ngatitama, Ngatikoata, Rangitane, and Ngaitahu. These are located as follows:—

The Ngatirarua—at Wanganui; Collingwood, Motupipi, and Motueka, Province of Nelson; and at Wairau, Province of Marlborough.

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The Ngatiawa—at Pariwhakaoho, Motupipi, Province of Nelson; and Queen Charlotte's Sound, Province of Marlborough.

The Ngatitama—at Takaka, Wainui, Motueka, and Wakapuaka, Province of Nelson.

The Ngatikoata—at Croixelles Harbour, and D'Urville's Island, Province of Nelson.

The Rangitane—at Pelorus, and Wairau, Province of Marlborough.

The Ngaitahu—at Kaikoura, in the Province of Marlborough; Buller, and Grey, West Coast of Nelson; Taramakau, Arahura, Hokitika, Poherua, Makawiho, Mahitahi, and Jackson's Bay, West Coast; and Kaiapoi, Rapaki, and Arowhenua, East Coast of Canterbury; and in scattered settlements along the eastern side of the Province of Otago, and the south of Southland.

The South-west Coast of the Middle Island, extending from "Milford Haven" to "Jacob's River," is not known to be inhabitated by Natives, there are, however, reports of an aboriginal tribe, named Ngatimamoe, having been seen there.