PAPERS RELATIVE TO NATIVE SCHOOLS.

19

A.—No. .3

The school at Maketu has already been commenced, and the children are making rapid progress. I beg to remark that this movement originated altogether amongst the Natives, and that they seem extremely anxious that their children should have the advantage of English teachers. These they cannot afford to pay without aid; I trust, therefore, that the Government will deem it advisable to encourage them in their efforts to establish schools in this district. I have, &c, W. K. Nesbitt, The Under Secretary, Native Department. Eesident Magistrate, Eotorua.

Sub-Enclosures. Eepoet of the Maketu School. Maketu, 28th January, 1867. The school was opened on the 21st November, 1866, at which time there were thirty-one pupils, halfcastes and Maoris. The number actually attending school at present is twenty-five. The cause assigned for the pupils leaving is that they are required by their parents to assist in planting. The average daily attendance has been as follows : — 25th November ... ... ... ... 83") 27th December ... ... ... ... 74 [• Averages 23-39. 21st January ... ... ... ... 6) During the present month some of the scholars have visited Eotorua for a short time, which is the only reason for the average being less. The course of instruction has been reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, and geography. The two latter have only been taught viva voce, as I had not auy books on the subject. The pupils have made great progress during the short time I have had them. Some who did not know their letters can now read the lessons very fairly in the first book, and can now work the first four simple rules of arithmetic completely, although they knew nothing of arithmetic before. Three of the pupils are in substraction of fractions ; two of them I had under my charge three months before the school commenced; the other has been at school at Tauranga. Six out of the number can read pretty well, and write easy sentences by dictation. Most of them transcribe fairly from their reading books. A small supply of books arrived here during the present month, and have been found suitable. A further supply (as per margin) is absolutely necessary, in order that both pupils and master may have full opportunity of making that progress which will ensure the permanent success of the school. ' The schoolroom is ill suited, being in a leaky state, and all but uninhabitable in wet weather, the floor being open boards ; and if a pen or pencil drops from the desk they are invariably lost. Dr. Nesbitt. E.M., Maketu. Geo. Fibth.

At a meeting of the School Committee at Wharekahu Maketu, on the 22nd January, 1867. Present— Hamuera, Chairman; Perereka Tauaru; Kowhai, Tupara, Wiki, Rotohiko, Menahira, Rewi, Dr. Nesbitt, R.M.; J. J. Piercy, Interpreter. 1. Proposed by Rewi: That £100 per annum be guaranteed by the School Committee to support schools for the Arawa. Seconded by Dr. Nesbitt, and carried unanimously. 2. Proposed by Pereka: That application be made to the Government for a similar amount for the schools to that guaranteed by the School Committee. Seconded by Rewi, and carried unanimously. 3. Proposed by Dr. Nesbitt: That if the Government consent to give £100, that two schools be established, one at Maketu, and one at Ohinemutu, and that the schoolmasters receive £75 per annum each, and that the balance be expended in purchasing materials for the schools and in building schoolhouses. Seconded by Perereka, and carried unanimously. 4. Proposed by Perereka : That Rewi be appointed to collect the money from the parents of the children attending school —namely, sixjience per week for each child, and that he call on each parent for the same every Saturday. Seconded by Dr. Nesbitt, and carried unanimously. The committee then adjourned. (True Translation) Jas. Jno. Piercy, Interpreter.

Enclosure 15 in No. 1. Copy of Letter from Mr. Bolleston to Dr. Nesbitt. (No. 85-2.) Sib, — Native Secretary's Office, Wellington, 23rd February, 1867. In reply to your letter dated the Ist instant, transmitting a copy of resolutions passed at meeting of the School Committee of your district, held at Maketu, also of a report from the teacher of the school at Maketu, and applying to the Government for a grant of money equivalent to that guaranteed by the Natives, I have the honor, by direction of Mr. Eichinond, to inform you that the payment of a sum of one hundred pounds is approved for this purpose, and will be payable in such instalments as may be required, on your certificate that the conditions specified by you in your letter are fulfilled on the part of the Natives. lam to express the satisfaction felt by the Government at the efforts which are being made by you in conjunction with the Natives of your district to establish these schools. I have, &c, H. Halse, The Kesident Magistrate, Eotorua. Assistant Under Secretary.