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commands the admiration of any one who becomes intimate with them. That boys accustomed to the untrammelled and irresponsible life of the Native should submit to the restraints of boarding-school life with so little friction, and maintain their interest after the novelty has worn off, speaks well for their desire for knowledge, and for their future prospects of success. Their progress is very gratifying, and their response to any effort on their behalf is most encouraging. The establishment of the Technical School has done much to popularize Tufu among the Niueans, for the practical nature of its results is readily seen by them. During the year the following articles have been completed : Four double carpenters' benches (with vices, Arc), two racks for chisels, one grindstone-stand (with water-box), also nail-box, oilstone-box, Arc, for Technical School; four clothes-racks, one form, one teacher's high desk, one teacher's high stool, one T square (large), fifteen pairs dumb-bells, five cleats for maps, all for school use; also sundry repairs to school desks, beds, apparatus, Arc. The following articles have been made by the pupils for themselves : One bedstead, two sets sofa-legs, nine doors, one chair, one low ironing-table, four blackboards, four easels, one towelhorse, one sofa, two tables (with drawers to lock), several small clothes-racks and several waterglasses for fishing purposes. The following are now in course of construction : One double carpenters' bench, six bedsteads, five tables (with drawers), two blackboards, one easel, one chair, one sofa, one food-safe; and many requests for further articles have to be held over. Much still remains to be done in making benches, cupboards, and tool-racks for the workshop, but the greater part of the available time is given to articles the boys desire for their homes. They pay 7 the cost of materials with a small addition for wear-and-tear of tools. The introduction of these articles will improve the homes of the boys and aid in the general uplifting. Blackboards and easels are for use in the village schools. The enthusiasm for the work is great, and quite beyond the power of one teacher alone to satisfy, taking the work after the ordinary school-hours. With two hours' technical work following upon the ordinary school day, there is not much energy left for supervision in the evening, especially in a tropical climate. However, the work has been necessary in order to establish the school on a firm footing, and it is being continued only in the hope that assistance will be available shortly. In consequence of last year's drought the food problem has pressed heavily, many boys experiencing the greatest difficulty in keeping up attendance, while others have had to leave in consequence. Though supplies are now increasing it has not yet appeared advisable to witharaw the concession granted in March, 1912, of allowing boys to go home from Friday afternoon to Monday morning, the relief afforded by this concession being that less than two-thirds of the usual quantity of food need be carried down, and that the boys can assist the parents in procuring the food, thus saving them the extra work and the journey bringing the food. The relief to parents has been highly appreciated, and there is no doubt that under a continuation of this arrangement parents will be willing to leave the boys at school for a much longer period. The health of the boys has not suffered by it; indeed, when sickness has occurred the sick boy has remained at home, thus preventing risk of contagion, and there has been far less illness at the school than formerly. The matter of absence from causes other than illness or want of food has not been serious, and while the popularity of the school continues, with a full roll and others waiting to join, it will not be serious, the penalty of losing the place being sufficient deterrent. The Niue people are awaking to a sense of their limitations through want of education, and parents are keen on getting their boys admitted. The future of Tufu School is assured; but assistance is urgently needed to allow of its work being carried on in the most effective manner, for the extension of the technical work, and for the establishment of village schools to relieve Tufu of the elementary work. Some of the senior boys are now quite capable of taking charge of such schools under the supervision of the head teacher, who would require to visit them frequently to assist and settle difficulties. These young men should teach for four days a week, returning to Tufu for the other day for further training, and arranging of their programmes for the following week. Each year the most promising of their pupils would be passed on to Tufu, which, thus becoming the prize for diligence and proficiency, would be valued accordingly. In the establishment of village schools the co-operation of the parents can most probably be secured, and this would reduce very considerably the cost of necessary buildings, and but little furniture or apparatus would be required. To ensure their success would doubtless involve very tactful dealing with the parents and village magnates. The number of such schools and the extent of their operations would depend on how far the Government is prepared to go towards a complete education system for the island. The number of children of school-age (five to fifteen) is, in round numbers, 800. The figures shown in the census of October, 1911, are : — Male. Female. Total. Alofi .. ... ... ... ... ... 95 76 171 Makefu ... ... ... ... ... 35 12 47 Tuapa ... ... ... ... ... 48 36 84 Hikutavake ... ... ... ... ... 23 38 61 Mutalau ... ... ... ... ... 50 49 99 Lakepa ... ... ... ... ... 29 18 47 Liku ... ... ... ... ... ... 29 27 56 Hakupu ... ... ... ... ... 46 33 79 Fatiau ... ... ... .-. ... 11 10 21 Avatele ... ... ... 48 32 80 Tamakautoga ... ... ... ... ... 25 27 52 Totals ... ... ... 439 358 797

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