160 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



These four proposals constitute the basis on which an 

 organized society among the Maori race can be built up. 

 They contain within them the foundation of government, the 

 recognition of authority, and the reward of industry and right 

 conduct. The aim of the first proposal is to arouse interest 

 among the natives themselves in their own well-being. 

 Attention to everything that goes to iniprove the con- 

 ditions of family or social life is the first need among the 

 Maoris at the present time, and should tend to the phy- 

 sical, social, and moral advancement of the people, such 

 as — (1) The regulatioii of buildings; (2) sanitation ; (3) power 

 to act in case of epidemics or local forms of sickness ; (4) 

 regulation of stores ; and (5) regulation of accommodation- 

 houses and places of amusement. A Board or duly-con- 

 stituted governing authority possessing powers for the en- 

 forcement of regulations embracing the above matters would 

 at once create interest and arouse sympathy. The work of 

 the Board wauld be directive in its tendencj^ and, whatever 

 defects might appear, it is certain that an attempt at an 

 organized scheme of internal government would be beneficial 

 to the natives physically, mentally, morally, and pecuniarily. 

 As to the second proposal, I am satisfied that no one who has 

 ever seen and visited the sick in some of the native pas but 

 must have pitied the race and wondered why so little is 

 done to ameliorate their sufferings. Living in isolated settle- 

 ments and away from Europeans, many natives succumb in 

 time of sickness simply for the want of a few small comforts 

 and attentive nursing. Lives are needlessly wasted ; and 

 were cottage hospitals built in the more-important centres of 

 the native population a great Maori need would be supplied. 

 A hospital such as is suggested could be built at a very small 

 cost, and it should be placed in charge of a properly-trained 

 hospital nurse. Each hospital should be in telephonic com- 

 munication with one of the larger centres where doctoi'S reside, 

 so as to facilitate inquiry in case of need. These hospitals 

 would provide an excellent training-ground for the senior 

 native girls from the schools, where they might also receive 

 instruction in the preparation of foods both for those who 

 are sick and, under certain conditions, for the benefit of the 

 native women. The establishment of local government and 

 hospitals bears directly upon the adult population. Emula- 

 tion in this direction is necessary, and the conferring of power 

 upon those of influence would produce highly-beneficial re- 

 sults. The old power of the native chief has been slowly pass- 

 ing away, and it is very desirable to reinstate him in a new 

 seat of dignity by conferring upon him powers and responsi- 

 bilities which, though differing from those he formerly held, 

 would enable him nevertheless to resume that position among 



