WHAREROA NATIVE SCHOOL.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume I, Issue 13, 16 October 1872, Page 3

WHAREROA NATIVE SCHOOL.

Wb had the pleasure of paying- a visit of inspection to the above school on Saturday afternoon last, and were most agreeably surprised to find 27 native children, of ages varying from four to sixteen years, who, we were informed by Mr Old field (the master), are regular pupils. The children (of both sexes) appeared remarkably orderly, attentive to t heir studies, and most anxious to learn. Mr Oldfield lias hod considerable experience in native tuition in the Southern provinces, and therefore the great control he appears to have over his pupils is perhaps not to he wondered at. Mr Oldfield, in a most courteous manner, permitted us to examine the several classes, and wo are therefore enabled to publish the following brief report of the proficiency of children : —First Class : Reading, Mifa (boy) and Mereraiha (girl) ; reciting, Mita (boy) and Mereraiba (girl)— reciting in general very good ; arithmetic, h’iki and Rewoti. Second Class: Reading, Kakariki (girl) and Berewini (hoy) ; reciting, Kakanki (girl) an 1 LFriwim (bojq ; arithmetic, Pero (boy) Kakariki. Tables, Keweli. Third Class; Reading, Enoka (boy), ITinihou (girl),hNgabuia (girl); reciting, Rin.ihou (boy) and Ngahuia (girl) ; arithmetic Paremata and Hori. Fourth Class : Residing, H irini ami Naiou (boys) ; arithmetic, llirini and Kin (boys). Writing : • First Class, Rew eti ; second class, Kakarika (best boy in the school) ; third class, Ngahuia ; fourth class, llirini. Bible class, Torao. The school has only been established about twelve months. The children are brought up in the tenets of the Established Church, their religious instruction being made, wo are happy to say, an especial feature. Each pupil pays 3d per week which is devoted to the fund for keeping the building in proper repair. The pupil- were all neatly dressed, looked clean and happy, and appear to have a groat regard and respect for their master. We Congratulate Mr Oldfield on the very satisfactory state of his school, and the great progress he has made during his brief tenure of office. We may mention that Hori Ngatai wrote yesterday to the Hon. J). McLean, in a generous manner offering to increase the. endowment of land for the school from one and a half to {firce acres. The extra laud to bo devoted to a cricket field.