E.—3

Of the 9,832 children enrolled at the 31st December, 1938, 8,811 children were Maori, the remainder (1,021) being European children. The following table shows the increase in the attendance at Native schools since 1918. Of particular interest is the rapid increase during the last ten years.

There were on the roll on Ist July, 1938, 8,743 Maori children (8,437 in 1937) and 1,025 European children (1,084 in 1937), making a total roll number at that date of 9,768 (9,521 in 1937). 12. Staff (31st December, 1937). The total number of teachers employed in the Native-schools service was 427, of whom 269 were certificated and 158 uncertificated. Of the total staff, 27-87 per cent, were junior assistants, 11 of whom were fully-qualified teachers and 108 uncertificated. Sixty of the junior assistants were Maori girls. The percentage of certificated head and class teachers is 83-8, the same as that for the previous year. 13. Buildings. In 1938 further progress was made with the replacement of unsuitable class-rooms by up-to-date open-air rooms, with complete and auxiliary accommodation. Two new schools, the Moehau and Punaruku Native Schools, were opened. The following is a list of the completed works :— (1) New Schools : Moehau and Punaruku Native Schools (two-roomed). (2) Additional Class-rooms: Awarua (1), Huiarau (1), Maraeroa (1), Oromahoe (1), Paeroa (2), Rangitahi (2), Te Kaha (1), Te Whaiti (1), Tokomaru Bay (1), Waimamaku (1). (3) Replacement of Existing Accommodation : Waimamaku (new residence). (4) Remodelled to provide Improved Lighting and Ventilation : Maraeroa (one class-room). (5) Additions to Residences : Okautete and Whakawhitira. (6) Special Works : — (a) Horohoro : Erection of model cottage. (b) Paeroa and Rangitahi: Old buildings converted to provide facilities for manual training. (c) Te Hapua : Erection of dining-hall, which also contains facilities for bathing and teaching of cookery. (d) Tokaanu : Provision of Dental Clinic. 14. Pacific Islands Inspection. In 1938 Mr. A. H. Denne, of the Auckland Inspectorate, visited Fiji for the purpose of grading the New Zealand teachers who are employed by the Government of Fiji under the scheme of co-operation I paid a lengthy visit to Niue Island in order to report upon the educational facilities of the Island, both Government and Mission. I also visited Western Samoa for the purpose of grading teachers. 15. Conclusion. On 28th February, 1938, Mr. A. H. Denne, Inspector of Native Schools, who for three years had given most valuable service to Native education, was transferred to the Auckland Inspectorate. Mr. T. A. Fletcher, who had been Acting Inspector of Native Schools, was promoted to the position of Inspector of Native Schools. The vacancy occasioned by the departure of Mr. A. H. Denne was filled by the appointment of Mr. William O'Connor, Headmaster of the Christchurch Normal School. Mr. O'Connor, who has had some years' experience as a teacher of Fijian children, came to the service particularly well equipped to assist in the important task of Native education. I should like to acknowledge the most generous co-operation of my colleagues, Mr. Fletcher and Mr. O'Connor, and to record my deep appreciation of the services of the Native Schools Branch of the Education Department. I have, &c., D. G. BALL, Senior Inspector of Native Schools. The Director of Education, Wellington.

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Year. Ro11 Average Attendance.! AveragWeekly 1918 .. .. .. 5,064 4,551 5,281 1922 6,161 5,540 6,238 1928 .. .. .. .. 6,671 5,964 6.770 1932 .. .. .. 7,313 6,848 7,524 1936 .. .. .. .. 9,175 8,140 9,041 1937 .. .. .. .. 9,642 8,594 9,540 1938 .. .. .. .. 9,832 8,471 9,787