G.—6

P. H. BUCK.]

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class done away with. We should like to see it preserved; but we should like to f-ee also agricultural and technical subjects taught. My own idea was, if it could possibly be arranged, that the two should go on together at Te Aute, and, say, at the Fourth Standard the boys should be drafted. Those fitted for a classical education should continue and go into the matriculation class, and those more suited for manual labour and agriculture should go into that department of the College. If however, owing to financial reasons one has to go, by all means let the classical side go, and let the means of education which will be of the greatest good k> the greatest number be given due prominence. 4. Mr. Lee.] You advocate specialisation, so that the few who need Latin and wish to go to matriculation can do so; but that the bulk of the school can be better employed at such branches of technical education as will fit them for their life on the land?-—Quite so.

WANGANUI INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL TRUST. Wellington, Tuesday, sth June. 1906. Felix Theophilus O'Neill further examined. 1. The Chairman.] Have you in your office the file showing the origin, correspondence, &c, in connection with the Wanganui Industrial School Estate?— Yes. The Chairman: I have received the following letter from the Hon. Mr. T. Y. Duncan, Minister of Lands: "Wellington, 2nd June, 1906.—Referring to your interview with an officer of this Department regarding the production of papers concerning the issue of a Crown grant to the Right Rev. George Augustus, Bishop of New Zealand, of land at Wanganui, in trust for an industrial school, I have to say that there are some papers of a confidential character contained among the records. If you will be good enough to specify what particular papers, or what papers connected with your inquiry, are necessary, the matter will then be considered." I have not yet seen the Minister about this matter. 2. The Chairman (to witness).] Have you amongst the records the original Crown grant that was issued for that endowment?— Yes, I believe so. 1 produce the book in which these Crown grants are recorded. It is a book entitled, "Register of Crown Grants," Thers is a triplicate copy of the original grant at Register No. 1, folio 48. The date is 13th October, 1852. The number of the grant is 45. The grant contains these words: "For the education of children of our subjects of all races and of children of other poor and destitute persons being inhabitants of islands in the Pacific Ocean." At the end of the grant there are these words: "In trust, nevertheless, and for the use and towards the maintenance of the said school so long as religious education, industrial training, and instruction in the English language shall be given to the youth educated therein or maintained thereat." Across the face of the grant there are these words: " Cancelled. Fresh deed issued, dated 13th October, 1853. (See folio 52.) —(Signed) A. Domett." At folio 52 there is the following : " Grant for Industrial School at Wanganui." The date is 13th October, 1852. 3. Do you know whether that is the true date of that grant, or was it issued in 1853?— I am inclined to think it was issued at a later date. 4. Have you any record showing what the date actually was when it was issued ?—No. The book itself shows that it was entered for record on the 16th October, 1852. I think there is a clerical error in the date of the memo, written across the deed. 5. The second grant to which you have just referred—is that numbered 45 also? —Yes. It contains these words: '' For the education of children of other poor and destitute persons being inhabitants of islands in the Pacific Ocean." The words, "of our subjects of all races and of children " have been left out. At the end of the grant there are these words: "In trust, nevertheless, and for the use and towards the maintenance of the said school so long as religious education, industrial training, and instruction in the English language shall be given to the youth educated therein or maintained, thereat." Those words are exactly the same. 6. That is to be read in connection with the trust words?—Y'es. 7. You have not got the original of the grant?— No. 8. But you have the original one recorded at page 48?— Yes; that is on the file, and across the face of that grant are the same words as written here, and the same date is given. Of course, " 1853 "is a clerical error. It was intended, I take it, that that date should have been 1852. 9. The file will show why the 1853 date was put in, or whether it is an error?— Yes. John David Watt examined. 10. The Chairman.] What are you? —Draughtsman in the Survey Office. 11. Do you produce the special-grant book?— Yes. 12. Have you in that book a special grant for the Wanganui Industrial School Estate?— Yes. The folio is No. 109, and the number of the grant is 45. 13. That is your office copy of the original grant?— Yes. 14. Is there any other grant for the Wanganui Industrial Estate in your office?— Not that I know of. The date of the grant is 13th October, 1852. The grant contains these words: "For the education of children of other poor and destitute persons being inhabitants of islands in the Pacific Ocean." At the end there are these words: "In trust, nevertheless, and for the use and towards the maintenance of the said school so long as religious education, industrial training, and instruction in the English language shall be given to the youth educated therein or maintained thereat."