Cotenso.—On the Maori Races of New Zealand. 417 
With the exception of the return for Otago and Southland, and also that 
for the Chatham Islands, the foregoing can scarcely be depended on, owing 
to the vagueness of the Whanganui return, the “incompleteness” of the 
Rotorua one, and the recent numbers in the Nelson one, being only estimated 
by Mr. Mackay. The return for Otago and Southland (which appears to 
have been each time very accurately and satisfactorily taken—in 1852 by 
Mr. Mantell, and in 1864 by Mr. Clarke) shows the greatest deerease! but 
here it should be noticed, that the last return (1864) also shows 125 half- 
castes, i.e. 72 males and 53 females; of whom some probably had not been 
included by Mr. Mantell in 1852. Mr. Seed accompanies his Chatham 
Islands return with the following remarks :—‘ From this return it will be 
seen the natives must be rapidly on the decline. At Kaingaroa and the 
adjacent villages, 34, nearly all adults, have died since 1856, and only 17 
have been born in the same period. Several years ago the Bishop of New 
Zealand took a list similar to the one I obtained, and then the natives, I am 
told, numbered over a thousand." It may reasonably be doubted whether 
the whole Maori population at present number 50,000.  Appended is a' 
table, eopied by the writer from recent official documents in the House of 
Representatives, showing the numbers of the natives, the principal tribes, 
tribal boundaries, and geographical position in the North Island; it can 
scarcely, however, be wholly relied on for perfect accuracy, yet in all its 
main features is correct. 
63. The causes of their very rapid decrease might here be properly 
shown, but such can only be done very briefly. The writer believes that 
many separate causes have all combined to bring about this sad state of 
things; not a few of which are nearly or wholly unknown to or over- 
looked by those who have hitherto written on Maori statistics.—(1.) Their 
own prevailing strong propensities, implacability and revenge; hence their 
love of war, murder, and pillage; in their exterminating wars mercy was 
never shown—the helpless and (to the victors) valueless were struck down 
and slain in heaps. Besides the actual slaughter, they were always wear- 
ing themselves out in preparing arms and building forts on high hills; 
or, more lately, in working day and night to obtain flax, &c., wherewith to 
purchase firearms, and in building new forts on low lands. In this half- 
harassed state many children and weak persons perished through want of 
proper rest, care, and food. (2.) The increasing number of small tribes also 
increased their feuds. (3.) Their immorality with foreigners, especially 
shipping. (4.) Consequent infanticide (before birth, focticide) and sterility, 
to an extent which no writer has yet correctly conceived. (5.) Sorcery. 
(6.) New diseases, especially epidemics, including the rewharewha of forty-five 
p the measles, hooping-cough, influenza, &c. (7.) The unlimited 
