3

G.—4

used as such, and suitable for a schoolhouse, wanting only some trifling alterations and repairs which I undertook upon the part of G-overnment, where there was also an experienced schoolmaster, desired by the Natives and willing to undertake the work, nothing has come of it. Waimate. —l arrived here on Saturday, when, it being a holiday, I could not see the pupils. 1 however saw the schoolmaster (Mr. King), who gave me a very discouraging account of his school—of the drunkenness of the adult Natives of the district, and of the irregular attendance, indifference, and even insolence of some of his pupils. There is not even an accommodation house for strangers at Waimate (though there has apparently been a grog-selling license, of most evil consequences), and I was obliged to return to the house of a gentleman some miles from Waimate. Here I was flooded in for a fortnight, and unable to proceed either to Waimate, Mangakahia, or Hokianga without losing more time than my other duties would permit. I had opportunities, however, of visiting Mr. Edward Williams, Resident Magistrate, Mr. Henry Williams, Chairman of the Oromahoe School Committee, and Mr. Marsden Clarke, who has kindly taken an interest in the schools in the absence of his brother the Venerable Archdeacon Clarke. . \ Ohaeawae.—As regards the school proposed to be erected at Ohaeawae, and for which all preliminary arrangements wore made last year, no action appears to have been taken. Mr. Henry Williams was at that time elected Chairman of the School Committee, but no intimation was given him of his election, and having subsequently, accepted the chairmanship of the Oromahoe Committee, he declines that of Ohaeawae. Kaikohe. —l understand that some small action is heirtg taken here in the way of sawing timber. Punakitere. —Here an endowment of 100 acres of good land was offered by the Natives, and to find the timber for the school, and place it on the ground. Nothing has been done. Oromahoe. —This place alone affords any sign of vitality. So soon as Mr. Henry Williams became aware that he had been elected Chairman of the Committee (which was not till long after his election, and then by accident), he took the necessary steps to set the school in motion. It is now nearly completed; a master (Mr. Jameson) has since been recommended by the Committee and appointed, and I hoj^e soon to hear that the school is in successful operation. These schools strongly illustrate the effect of interest or indifference of Europeans towards them upon the Native mind. If they are led and encouraged, they will cordially co-operate ; if no interest is taken, the Natives become as indifferent as the Europeans. Mangakahia. —I regret very much not having been able to reach this school, and also that Archdeacon Clarke, who used to visit the settlement periodically, has now gone to Australia. It is scarcely ever visited by Europeans. The schoolmaster (Mr. Eraser) reports that for the last six months his average attendance has been thirty ; his greatest number thirty-five, of whom thirty were Maori and five half-caste ; the least number, twenty-two ; their ages from four to fifteen years. Their progress in English and in writing remarkably good ;in other branches fair; their attendance, which is from 10 to 12, and from 2 to 4, is remarkably regular ; their health is on the whole good; no deaths, though as many as eighteen pupils were really ill at one time from influenza, induced by their habit of playing in the rain before school time, and sitting all day in their wet clothes. With few exceptions, they are clean and decent in appearance, but not in habits. He has no difficulty in managing them. The Chairman (Kamareora Te Wharepapa) is particularly useful to him; the rest of the Committee are merely nominal. I append Mr. Eraser's letter for further information. Waima. —Of this school Mr. Yon Stunner reports that he visited it on the 21st ultimo, and found sixty-one pupils present in school (fifty-five of whom were Maori and six half-caste), between the ages of six and sixteen years. They were remarkably neat and clean, and moderately well clad; their progress in reading, writing, spelling, dictation, simple arithmetic, and tables, was very satisfactory for the time they had been at school ; their pronunciation was necessarily imperfect; their intelligence great. Mr. Yon Stunner found no difficulty in making himself understood in English, which only is used in their instruction. The greatest number of pupils has been sixty-three, the least number thirteen, the average fifty-one. No serious case of illness has occurred amongst them. The hours of attendance are three and a half, viz., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with an interval of half an hour. Mr. Yon Stunner adds, " Their health does not seem to be affected in any way ; in fact, a more healthy, merry lot of little faces it would be impossible to find anywhere." The schoolmaster, Mr. Moore, seems to command the respect of the pupils, and the Committee seem to be well satisfied with him. They take great interest in the school. Mr. Moore complains that the Native portion of his salary is not well paid, but the Committee have promised to see to the matter. They have been slow to carry out their undertaking to collect £50 in consideration of the contribution of £100 promised by you, but Mr. Yon Stunner is pressing the matter upon their attention. Waitapu. —He reports of this school that he visited it on the 23rd ultimo, and found forty-one pupils present in school, between the ages of six and fourteen years. Of their progress in reading, writing, dictation, arithmetic, tables, and object lessons, it would be difficult to speak too highly. They were clean and neat in appearance, well conducted, and seemed much attached to their teachers (Mr. and Mrs. Watkin). The greatest number of pupils has been forty-four, the least nineteen, and the average thirty-five. The attendance is increasing ; the number on the roll (but not apparently present on any one day) is fifty-four, of whom twenty-eight are Maori and twenty-six half-caste. (This is the largest proportion of half-castes that I have met with in New Zealand.) The hours of attendance are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No illness of any kind has occurred. There have been twenty-two admissions this year, and six withdrawals, of pupils who have left the district. The whole instruction is given in English, and the correct pronunciation and knowledge of English, after so short a time, is very great. The Committee take the greatest possible interest in the school, and express their great satisfaction with the way in which it is conducted. Mr. Yon Stunner most heartily concurs, and recommends the increase of Mr. Watkin's salary to £100 a year, to which he becomes entitled after the 30th instant. The Native portion of his salary is regularly paid, and there are no arrears to date. Hokianga District. —l beg to commend Mr. Yon Stunner's report to the attention of all who are interested in the subject. He indicates the following localities for Native schools, to complete the provision for the education of the children of his district, Hokianga:—Whirinaki, Waimamuku, Waihau, Mouth of the Maungamuku, North side of the Whangape River.