NATIVE SCHOOLS.

The Right Reverend the Bishop has the entire control of the establishment, two religious sisters devoting themselves to the duties of instruction, both intellectual and industrial. They provide the requisites for housekeeping; and the accounts are rendered to the Bishop, in whose hands they are kept with the greatest apparent regularity. We did not deem it within our province to inspect the accounts minutely or audit them. With respect to the efficiency of the establishment, there seems little ground for doubt. We requested the Bishop to furnish us with any particulars he could procure concerning pupils' who had gone out from the school into the world, and any other information with regard to the history of the school which he might wish to give us. In answer he has sent the very interesting letter subjoined and marked C. To conclude, we have no hesitation in saying that, in respect of intellectual and industrial training —in respect of sanitary and local circumstances, and of physical appliances and arrangements, St Joseph's Providence still deserves the credit which the gentlemen appointed to inspect gave to it in their report of 1857, of being a complete model establishment. Nor can we refrain from adding our conviction that to Bishop Viard and the religious sisters who act under him, the wdiole community, both Native and European, owes a debt of admiration and gratitude for the good work which they have begun and are carrying on in a manner so able and exemplary. An extension of the Institution with increased means would, in our opinion, be a great boon to the Native and Half-caste population of the Colony. Alexander J. Johnston, To the Hon. C. W. Richmond, \\ illiam Fitzhkrbert, Colonial Treasurer, Auckland. James C. Crawford. A Since the returns given at the last inspection, up to the end of the year 1857, there have been in the school during the year 1858 :—lB girls, all boarders; viz., 8 Maori, 10 half-caste. 1859:— 18 girls, all boarders ; viz , 8 Maori, 10 half-caste. At the beginning of the year 18G0 : —19 girls, all boarders — viz., 10 Maori, 9 half-caste :— 1 girl about 5 years old; 3 girls about 7 years; 4 girls about 9 years old; 4 girls about 11 years old; 5 girls about 15 years old ; 2 girls about 16 years old. At the present time (Feb. 27) there are 14 girls ; 4 are absent for the holidays, and 1 Maori has gone out to service with Mrs. Huntley, who expresses herself as very much satisfied with her. Distribution of Time. Morning.—sJ—To rise, dress, &c. ; G—Morning prayers ; C>\ —To hear Mass; 7—To make the beds, sweep, dust, and put the rooms in order in the dormitory; B—Breakfast ; 8 1— Recreation for the younger children. The elder girls go to their several duties. Some are employed in the kitchen, others are sweeping and cleaning the different parts of the house; 9i— Writing; 10 —Study; ]0J — Reciting the various lessons and reading; 11—Recreation; 11J —Needlework; (one day in each week this time is occupied by fancy work, such as marking and crotcheting). Afternoon. —I—Dinner and recreation; 2—Copying; 2±,—Study and recitation of tables; 3— Arithmetic; 3J — Catechism ; 4—Dictation; \ to s—Spiritual5—Spiritual exercise ; s—Study—(preparation of lessons) ; s|— Lecture from some instructive book : | to G —Rosary ; G—Supper and recreation ; 7J —Night prayers ; after which all retire in silence to bed. Noth. —Wednesday and Saturday are free from school. On Wednesday the children are employed in washing, ironing, and mending their clothes, and on Saturday in scrubbing, cleaning, &c. Once a week, when the weather is fine, the children are taken for a walk. t P. T. Viard, Catholic Bishop.

B

Note.—None of these scholars had oa their entry into St. Joseph's Providence any idea of even the first rudiments of education or civilization. t F. T. Viard, Catholic Bishop.

22

Name. Race. Age on entering (about) Date of Entry. Remarks. 1. Catherine Green 2. Philomemi Aldy 3. Virginia Kadford 4. Angela Baker 5. Josephine Baker 6. Frances O'Brien 7. Melania Haromona 8. Rebecca Curlcy 9. Ripeka Hoani 10. Wikitoria Aterea 11. Jane O'Brien 12. Maria tc Wainga 13. Arihia Karamana 14. Ateraite Tonihi 15. Hopia Waretini 16. Katarina 17. Pirihira 18. Ellen Rush .. 19. Rahera Half-caste 7 7 5 5 6 5 11 6 12 6 5 15 10 15 14 9 7 5 6 September, 1852 December, '• ii ii September, 1854 ii ii Absent for the Holydays. U t( U Maori. Half-caste. Maori. June, 1855 December, 1855 January, 1856 October, 1857 Went to service on the 7 th Jan 1860, Half-casie. Maori. n August, 1858 January, 1859 April, fl (( Absent for the Ilolvdays. '. it ' A ii it (I H January, 1860 « " it ii Half-caste. Maori. u t i February, "