H.—2l

24

The number of scholars, up to the year 1855, averaged about twenty in the year under daily and systematic training. Since then the number has lessened, many of them having been removed to the Three Kings, on which institution greater pains have been bestowed latterly. During the last five or six years this property has been leased, at first at a rental of £50 per annum, but now at £60. From 1860 to 1863 (to the best of my knowledge), the property does not appear to have been used for the purposes of the trust, but was merely occupied. The present lessees, who have about a year of their lease to run, are Europeans. The first lease was for four years. The present occupiers live in the buildings and farm the property. The church mentioned as the last-erected building is reserved from the lease, and is occupied by a regular service for an European congregation. The visits of Natives are now very fitful. The proceeds of this estate were appropriated to the support of Native and Half-caste scholars at the Three Kings, while there were any. During the past year they have been appropriated to the support of certain Native Teachers in the Province of Auckland, at present three in number. I am not aware of any public moneys having been given towards the erection of these buildings, or any of them. The church was built by voluntary contributions only. The older buildings are now rather dilapidated. Extract from evidence of Mr. Beader Wood, Architect and Estate Agent, taken on the sth April, 1869. The following day (30th March) I visited the Wesleyan station on the Grafton Eoad. It consists of about six acres, let to a Mr. Burton for £60 per annum, for three years, till May, 1870. The land is of fair quality, at present principally in oats. The buildings on it consist of three small cottages and a stable, all built by Mr. Burton for his own accommodation. There is also a schoolroom, with apartments attached, occupied by Mr. Burton as a dwelling-house. The whole is in fair tenantable repair. The value of the last-named building is about £200. Adjacent to the schoolroom is a chapel, fenced off from the rest of the land, at which service is held every Sunday. The buildings are not used for educational purposes at all. I understood the services of the chapel were conducted in English. I consider the estate well let. The selling value of the estate, subject to Mr. Burton's lease, would probably be about £600, exclusive of the chapel and its site. 402 acres, Aotea — School. The Eeverend James Buller states (copy of Eecord copy, Eeg. iv., A., No. 122, Grant of 402 acres, lot 1, Parish of Aotea, produced) : On this estate there are erected the buildings of a school, under the direction of the Eev. C. H. Schnackenburg. There are from twenty to thirty Native and Half-caste scholars in attendance, for whom a capitation allowance is being received from the General Government. A periodical inspection is held. No part of the land is let. If any proceeds accrue they are all devoted to the support of the school. The general run of the land in the district is good. The school has been maintained ever since the date of the grant. 169 acres, Kawhia—School. The Eev. James Buller, states (copy of Eecord copy, Eeg. ivA., No. 123, Grant of 169 acres, lot 1, part of Waiharakeke, at Kawhia, produced) : On this estate there is a school under the same direction as the above, but under the charge of Native teachers. Capitation has been, until lately, received, if it is not to this date. No inspection has been possible for some time, owing to Native political disturbances, nor are there any proceeds beyond what Native crops may be raised on the land and consumed there. The disturbed, state of the country prevents the trusts of this estate being more efficiently administered. The buildings were good, and were erected from mission funds, having been formerly the station of the Eev. J. Whiteley. lam not aware of any public moneys, other than the capitation allowance, having been granted towards this and the preceding school. I believe both this and the previous grant has been conveyed to trustees. Lot 2, Section 8, City of Auckland — Wesleyan Mission. The Eeverend James Buller states (Eecord copy, Eeg. iv., No. 16, Grant of 2 roods 20 perches, allotment 2 of section 8, City of Auckland, produced) : These estates are also conveyed to trustees, and adjoin the ground given for the Native church, Eeg. iv. On this land was erected a bonded store, occupied for the purposes of the Wesleyan Mission during the time when the mission vessel used to visit Auckland. The vessel ceased to run about 1856, and the shed was then used as a depot for mission stores, and for the last three years has been leased at a rental of £15 per annum, which sum is devoted to the Native mission. There is also, on part of the land not leased, a dwelling-house erected for a minister, who performs service in the church adjoining when there is any Native congregation. I think the duration of the lease is for seven years. The minister for whom the house was built has been, for about nine months past, resident not here but at the Three Kings. His services are, however, always available for the performance of divine service when required. The house is now let, the rental paying the interest of the debt standing on it. There is at present a debt of £400 on the aforesaid minister's residence. On Monday, the sth April, Mr. Buller desired to amend that portion of his evidence which stated that his house was on the Store Grant, having been subsequently informed that it stands on the Native Chapel Grant. 824 acres 1 rood 24 perches, Suburbs of Auckland — Three Kings School. The Eeverend James Buller states (Eecord copy, Eeg. iv., Nos. 14, 31, 36, 64, and 79, in all 824 acres 1 rood 24 perches ; Nos. 86 to 92, suburban farms ; lots 93, 118, 119, 122, and 124 of section