MOTUEKA SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 776, 8 January 1853, Page 3

MOTUEKA SCHOOLS.

Funds. — The day school is supported by payments from the children of 3d. per week ; which in the case of the Maories have been commuted by the Board of Native Trustees for a sum of £15 per annum to the Master. A mistress gives instruction for two hours daily, besides lessons in domestic management, and is paid £12 10s. per annum by the Board of Native Trustees. The night school is supported by payments of 6d. per week from the English scholars ; and 3d only from the Maories in consideration of the payment above-mentioned of £15 per annum from the Board. A Maori assistant in the adult school is paid £12 10s. per annum, also by the Board of Native Trustees.

Remarks. —There are many circumstances connected with this school highly interesting, and deserving of notice. The School-room, a well-constructed building, 24 feet by 16 feet.

was erected about fifteen months ago by voluntary contributions of the settlers, assisted from the Nelson Archdeaconry Fund. Shortly after it was opened, three native girls were admitted, and care being taken that they were always sent clean and decently clothed, n© objection was made by the parents of the other children to their admission. The number of native children has since been gradually increased under the careful superintendence of the Rev. T. L. Tudor, until they now amount to 18; and it is very pleasing to witness the good effects of this association in their modest and quiet behaviour, their rapid progress in acquiring the English language, and in the thoroughly good understanding which exists between them and the English children, which is particularly striking during their play hours. We are assured by the Rev. Mr. Tudor that the results of this experiment have so completely answered his expectations that he should feel no hesitation or difficulty in at once more than doubling the number of Maori scholars, if the school accommodation and the funds for providing additional assistance, admitted of his doing so. In order to provide such increased accommodation, the Board of Maori Trustees has voted a sum of £60 towards a new school- room, which is to be commenced immediately, (m addition to the annual grant of £40.) This will afford the means of dividing the children into two schools, a measure which i& frequently desirable. In order, however, to obtain the full benefit of this arrangement, it would be necessary to secure the entire and permanent services of the school mistress by an adequate salary, and it would further be very advantageous, especially with reference to the' instruction of the female children in many branches of domestic economy, such as washing, house cleaning, cooking, &c, that, if possible, a suitable residence should be provided ioi L-/ But whatever may be found practicable in" this respect, we would strongly recommend that the peculiar character of the school, that is, the free intercourse between th.c children of both races, and their instruction in common, should be carefully preserved ; so far as we can learn, this school is the only one whe/e such a system exists, and its good effects during the short time it has been in operation, justify us not only in recommending its continuance, but in looking forward with much hope and interest to its further development. The improvement in the female scholars during the short time the school mistress has been engaged, speaks well for her attention and care ; and the general discipline of the schools, conducted by Mr. Sntcliffe, is very creditable to his management ; the more so, as his remuueration, looking at the high rate of labour, and the double duties in the night and day schools which he has to perform, gives a very inadequate return for his exertions. Our examination of the Adult school was also very satisfactory. The progress of the Natives in learning the English language is necessarily slow, from its complex structure, and the many new sounds to be acquired; but their good humoured patience and steady perseverance are very remarkable, as well as their docility ; grown up men not only readily but eagerly availing themselves of the help of mere children for the purpose of instruction. But if they cannot compete with the younger branches of their families in acquiring a new and difficult tongue, their native intelligence is strikingly shown in all that relates to the science of numbers. Almost all are well acquainted with the four first simple rnles of arithmetic ; many are able to apply them to all kinds of money transactions ; and we found some of them busily engaged in calculating the value of money for terms of years at varying rates of interest. They write fairly, and have begun to receive instruction in geography. There is no industrial establishment connected with this school, although we think it might be added with advantage, and there are already some facilities for its introduction. We believe that the materials exist for such an establishment on a considerable scale, especially if we take into account the districts connected with Motueka, where a disposition has already shewn itself to profit by the advantages now held out to them. We are assured of the readiness of the Rev. T. L. Tudor to cuter upon this new field of duty by taking the active superintendence of any such institution, and we have also to acknowledge his friendly cooperation aud assistance in preparing the present report. We have the honor to be Your Excellency's very ohedt. servants, M. Richmond. Superintendent. J. D. Greenwood. Samuel Stephens. To his Excellency Sir George Grey; X.C.8., Governor-in-Chief, &c, &c, &c.

Day School. English Boys.. 14 ' Maori Boys < English Girls.. 18 Maori Girls 1! Night School for Adults. MaTes 2 Maori 31 Total English 34 Total Maori *

£ a. (1. The Master, from Nelson Archdeaconry Fund •• Ditto, from Board of Native Trustees Ditto, Children's Pence, about 20 0 0 15 0 0 ?0 0 0 55 0 0 The Mistres", from Bonrd of Native Trustees .'. The Maori Assistant, from ditto. ... 12 10 0 12 10 0 £80 0 0

(Church op England.)

SALARIES.