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of sixty-one pupils, of both sexes, from six to sixteen years of age. The children were remarkably neat and clean, and moderately well clad, though a large proportion of the pupils were barefooted. * I examined them in reading, writing (on slate), dictation, spelling, simple arithmetic, and tables, in all of which the answers given were very satisfactory (considering that the school has only been open since January last). Their pronunciation of English was necessarily very imperfect, but the amount of intelligence shown by the pupils far exceeded my expectations. The whole of the examination waa conducted in English, and I had no difficulty in making myself understood. The pupils have received no instruction in geography, as Mr. Moore (the teacher) considers that without maps he would have considerable difficulty in making them understand him. The greatest number of pupils during the year has been sixty-three, the lowest thirteen, and the general average fifty-one. Of these, six are halfcastes, the remaining fifty-seven Natives. English only is used as a medium of instruction. There have been two pupils dismissed from the school for bad conduct. No cases of serious illness have occurred amongst them. The pupils seem to be well supplied with books, and the only articles at present required are maps. The hours of attendance are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with an interval of half an hour. Their health does not appear to be affected in any way ; in fact, a more healthy, merry lot of little faces it would be impossible to find anywhere. Mr. Moore appears to command the respect of the pupils, and the Committee seem to be well satisfied with him. The schoolhouse at present in use ia quite unfit for the purpose, without windows (only wooden shutters), no desks or forms of any description; the children are unable to write, except on slates which they hold in their hands or on their knees, but the Committee are about to erect a new schoolhouse, at a cost of £150 ; in fact I have given them to understand that, unless they do so immediately, I shall be compelled to recommend the Government to discontinue their aid. Mr. Moore informs me that the Native portion of his salary is not regularly paid, and I have spoken to the School Committee on the subject, who have promised to see to the matter. The Committee seem to take great interest in the school, and are doing all they can to forward the erection of the new building. "With reference to the school at Waitapu, in charge of Mr. R. F. "Watkins, I beg to inform you that in company with Mr. John "Webster, one of the principal settlers here, I proceeded to inspect it on the 23rd instant. "We arrived at the school between 11 and 12 in the morning, and found the pupils in school; both Mr. and Mrs. "Watkins were teaching, the number of pupils present being forty-one, of both sexes, from six to fourteen years of age. I proceeded to examine them in reading, writing, dictation, the first four rules of arithmetic, tables (multiplication, money, and weights and measures), and object lessons. It would be difficult to speak too highly of the progress made by the pupils in this school, and Mr. "Webster agreed with me that few European children of the same ages could have answered the questions put more readily and correctly. In dictation, the proficiency was particularly striking, notes of interrogation, stops, &c, being in every instance correctly marked, and amongst a class of twenty pupils, only three errors in spelling occurred. In tables aud arithmetic, the children were all most proficient. The pupils were neat and clean in their appearance, well conducted, and seem much attached to their teachers. The supply of books, &c, with the addition of those now on their way from Auckland, will, I believe, be sufficient for some time to come. The greatest number of pupils during the year has been forty-four, the least nineteen, the average being about thirty-five. The attendance at this school is increasing, the number on the roll being fifty-four, of whom twenty-six are half-castes and twenty-eight Natives; the number of admissions during the year being twenty-two, and voluntary withdrawals during the same period six (who have left the district). No illness of any kind has occurred, and the hours of attendance, which are from 10 to 2 o'clock, do not seem to have affected their health in any way. Geography has been taught in the simplest form for want of maps. The whole of the instruction is carried on in English, and the correct pronunciation and knowledge of English shown by the pupils after so short a time is very great, the letter " s " being pronounced by all with ease, the greatest difficulty being in distinguishing between the sound of "c" and "g." Sewing is taught on Tuesday and Friday in each week, for an hour at a time, and the elder girls are very neat and tidy in their work, but I do not pretend to be a judge of these matters. During the time I was inspecting the children, several Natives had collected about the school, amongst whom were three members of the Committee, viz., "Wi Tana Papahia, Hiriwini Mangu Mangu, and Hori Harimana, all of whom expressed their great satisfaction at the manner in which the school is conducted, in which I most heartily concur ; and I have great pleasure in recommending the increase of Mr. Watkins' salary to £100 a year, upon the completion of his first year's service, which will be on the 30th of June next. Both Mr. and Mrs. "Watkins desire to continue in their present office, and have no wish to leave the district. The school building is a fine spacious weather-boarded structure, well fitted with the necessary desks, forms, tables, &c, and is kept neat and clean; each pupil has his or her own seat numbered, with place for slates, books, hats, &c. The Native portion of the master's salary is regularly paid, and there are no arrears to date. The Committee seem to take the greatest possible interest in the school. One of the sashes of the schoolroom has been destroyed by a gale of wind, and is only repaired in a very temporary manner ; also, a little paint would be an improvement to the interior of the school. A door-step and scraper are also required, and the Committee have requested me to ask you if you would authorize an expenditure of £5 for the purpose of supplying these wants, as the Natives have but little money amongst them. As the Natives have paid up all school fees, &c, I would recommend that if possible the sum named be granted, and I would undertake to see that it be expended with sufficient economy. At both "Waima and "Waitapu, the children are very much given to amuse themselves like other school children, rounders being one of their favourite games ; and I am sure a present of cricket materials, a football, and a dozen tennis balls for rounders, would be acceptable, and beneficial to the health and morals of the children. In conclusion, I am afraid I have hardly done sufficient justice to "Waitapu School, the conduct of