face of tlie earth. The decrease of the population, as far as it 
could be ascertained, amounted within the last 14 or 15 years to 
19 and 20 percent. 
Should the decrease continue at this rate, then the Maori po- 
ion will number: 
In the 
year 
1872 
only 
45,164 
yy yy 
yy 
1886 
36,363 
yy yy 
yy 
1900 
yy 
29,325 
yy yy 
yy 
1914 
yy * 
23,630 
yy yy 
yy 
1928 
yy 
19,041 
yy yy 
yy 
1942 
yy 
15,343 
yy yy 
yy 
1956 
yy 
12,364 
come to the 
conclusion , 
that about the year 
native race will have quite died out, while the European popu- 
lation at the present rate of increase will have risen from 84,000 
inhabitants in the year 1860, to half a million in the year 2000. 1 
The Maoris themselves are fully aware of this, and look for- 
ward with a fatalistic resignation to the destiny of the final ex- 
tinction of their race. They themselves say: a as clover killed the 
fern, 1 and the European dog the Maori dog; as the Maori rat was 
destroyed by the Pakcha rat, so our people also will be gradually 
supplanted and exterminated by the Europeans. 
Appendix. 
The story of Te Uira, chief of the Ngatimamoes . 2 
The most ancient tribe, that inhabited South Island, is said to have 
borne the name of Waitaha. This tribe was exterminated by the Ngati- 
mamoes, who had come over from the Wanganui, North Island. The Ngati- 
1 In consequence of the most bloody war of the last years this proportion has 
become much less favourable for the Maoris, whilst the European population of the 
South Island was increased by immigration in a proportion quite unexpected, in con- 
sequence of the gold discoveries. 
2 Communicated by Dr. J. Haast. 
