F.—No. _

14

PAPERS RELATING TO NATIVE SCHOOLS.

No. 11. The Inspectoe of Schools to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Sib,— Waimate, Bay of Islands, 27th March, 1872. In my letter of the 13th instant, detailing my proceedings to that date, I stated that I proposed starting on the following day for Kaikohe and Mangakahia. I was, however, weather-bound until the 18th, on which day I proceeded to Kaikohe, where I held a meeting, and discussed the Native school question. The Natives decided to reserve their ultimate conclusion until my return from Mangakahia, when a general meeting of the Natives of the whole district would be held at Waimate. On the 19th I proceeded to Mangakahia, and on that night and the following day held meetings with the Natives, and found them willing to contribute, so far as they were able, to the establishment of a school. They proposed to give the kauri trees required for timber; to draw it to the school site; to find the blocks ; to assist in the erection ; to give five acres as a school site, and to contribute £30 a year towards the schoolmaster's salary. The Government to saw the timber, to erect the school-house, to find all necessary material beyond the timber, and to supplement the sum contributed by themselves with so much as would pay the schoolmaster's salary. As it will require some months to saw and season the timber, the Natives undertook to devote-their runanga house to school purposes until the new school can be completed. i I agreed to their proposals on the part of the Government, and beg to annex the names of the school committee, chairman, proposed trustees, and description of school boundaries. I have, &c, A. H. Russell.

Mangakahia. School Committee.-—Kamariera Wharepapa (chairman), Venerable Archdeacon Edward Clarke, Horomona te Anga, Nga Tarahira Whakapoi, Petuere Rawiki, Te Eangi, Paora Kiwi. Proposed Trustees —Hatawira te Puka, Te Rangi, Venerable Archdeacon Clarke. Boundaries of School District.—Commencing at Hikorangi, thence by a straight line to Kaikou, thence by a straight line to Tautoro, thence by a straight line to Aukumsroa, thence by the southern side of the Mangakahia range to the commencing point.

No. 12. The Inspectoe op Schools to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Waimate, Bay of Islands, Sic,— 28th March, 1872. Having completed arrangements for a school at Mangakahia, as reported in my letter of 27th instant, I returned on the 21st to Kaikohe, thence on the same day to Taheke, near Waima, and on the following day to Eawene (Herd's Point) on the Hokianga Eiver. I proceeded the next day with Mr. Yon Stunner, the Resident Magistrate, to Waitapu, near Hokianga Heads, the proposed site of the school applied for by Wiremu Tana Papahia. That chief was unfortunately away, but the other members of the committee were present, and I arranged with them the following terms, which are substantially those proposed by Wiremu Tana in his application to the Government. Fifteen acres of good land to be conveyed to the trustees as school, site and endowment. A school to be erected by the Natives, to contain fifty (or more) scholars. The Natives to contribute 3s. per quarter for each of forty scholars—certain, and at the same rate for all above that number. The Government to erect a schoolmaster's house at a cost not exceeding £65, and to supplement the Native contribution with such a sum as willpay the schoolmaster's salary, which I have fixed at £80 for the first year, with the promise of £100 afterwards, if the school be a success. This arrangement seemed quite satisfactory to the committee, who propose at once removing a large house which they intend for the school from Eawene to Waitapu. They also nominated for approval as schoolmaster Mr. Fletcher Watkins, whose application you some time since referred to me. The character which I heard of him seemed to justify me in confirming their nomination. He is an educated man, and an experienced and successful teacher, who has been wild, but is now sobered down, with a wife and family; and, being on the spot, can commence work as soon as the school is ready for him. I cannot say that I altogether approve the locality fixed upon, as there is not at present a kainga within a mile of it; but the Natives seem so resolved to remove to its neighbourhood, and to cultivate there, and it seems to be in their estimation so favourable a spot as regards their own local jealousies aDd land questions, that I thought it right to waive my objection. The Natives of Waima and Mangamuka had both expressed to the Resident Magistrate a desire for schools, but now wished to see how that of Waitapu succeeds before taking further action themselves. I imagine this arises as regards Waima from a land complication —a school endowment being in the hands of the Wesleyan body, which the Natives wish (as in the cases of Waerengaahika and Te Aute) to apply to these schools. In the case of Mangamuka, I apprehend the Natives are willing to receive a school or anything else which the Government will pay for, but are scarcely prepared to contribute to it themselves. As I consider it unwise to force on the school movement I have assented to the delay.