NATIVE SCHOOLS.

ll.—The Tnn.EE Kings' School. There are 72 persons on the books of this school, of whom two were absent with their friends. They are chiefly from the Waikato and Hokianga Districts. They may be classed as follows :— 8 Monitors, adults. 4 Women, wives of Monitors. 37 Maori Boys and Lads. 7 Half-caste Boys. 6 Maori Girls. 10 Half-caste Girls. There are also 2 English orphans, who are supported by the Auckland Ladies' Benevolent Society. Four of the Half-caste Girls also are partly supported by their friends. The Scholars are of various ages, from 5 to 25 or 30 years, and are divided into six Classes. The First Class, consisting ol 5 Girls and 11 Boys, can read English fluently, and generally with very correct pronunciation. They are well informed iv Scripture History, and have some knowledge of the leading features of General and English History. They are well up in Elementary Geography, and perfectly understand the ordinary Rules of Arithmetic, Compound and Simple, as far as Practice. Their style of Writing, as well as that of the whole of the Scholars, was admirable. The other five Classes comprise all below these, of different degrees of attainments, down to those just beginning their English Alphabet. They have about 5J hours' schooling during the day. The afternoons are devoted to out-of-door occupations, the Men and Boys assisting in the repairs of the buildings, and in such fencing, carpentering, gardening, &c, as are done on the Farm ; also taking it in turn to attend to the sheep and cattle, and to the general farm work. They are told-off every week for their separate duties ; as, to cook for School, and wash their own clothes, besides assisting to keep the premises cleanly. The Women and Girls are taught sewing, and make and mend the clothing, &c, of the School; all the clothing, except the moleskin trowsers and blue shirts and frocks, being made by them on the establishment. Their food is rice and sugar in the morning ; a very small proportion of meat (15s. worth in the week") is made into broth with potatoes for dinner; and in the evening they have flour boiled with sugar. On Sunday evenings they have tea and bread. They have also milk during a part of the year. Striped shirts and trowsers, with blue serge shirts or duck frocks, for the Men and Boys. The Girls are well clad and shod, and have also sun bonnets. They all appeared healthy and clean. There have been no deaths during the last year, durin«which period, we were informed, the doctor's bill was under £5. The buildings are extensive and excellent; the dining hall, kitchen, and boys' dormitories, are of wood, in good repair, but expected to require shingling ; and are large, lofty, and substantial.' They are capable of accommodating a larger number of pupils than are at present in the School. The bedding is good and sufficient, but the system of using double beds is objectionable. The Girls'live in a separate stone building with their Governess. Their dormitories are crowded, two or more girls sleeping in one bed. The married couples have separate apartments in another stone building, and appear comfortable. There is also a good detached wooden house for the Superintendent of the Schools. There are 500 acres of excellent land attached to the School, of which about 200 are enclosed and partly in grass. They grow potatoes and other vegetables in sufficient quantity for the School besides oats for the working horses, and straw for the bedding. There are 400 sheep and 30 head of cattle depasturing on the land, which belong to the Wesleyan Mission, but are used for the benefit of the School. The situation of the buildings is dry and sheltered, and the whole property must be of considerablevalue. The establishment is superintended by the Rev. Mr. Stannard, who is expecting a trained master from England to assist him in the tuition. The Girls are under the charge of a Governess who lives with them and has had charge of this department for several years. The orderly behaviour of the Boys and Girls in School, and their contented and happy appearance, and the neatness and order of the arrangements, bear ample testimony to the efficient management of this School. lII.—St. Mary's, Freeman's Bay. There are fifteen pupils, including five Half-castes, at this School, of whom nine are adults. The Half-castes do not receive any regular support from their relatives, who, however, make them occasional presents of produce and clothing. Two of the Half-caste lads, who have been about three years at the Institution, can read Ena-lish very well, and with good pronunciation. They also know something of Grammar, and are trenerallv well informed Ihe Maones and another Half-caste lad can read simple English sentences, of words of one syllable, and a fourth boy can say his alphabet, and is beginning to read English. Ten or eleven of them can read Maori. They all learn to write ; some of their copies are good. Eleven of the pupils were examined in Arithmetic. Two can do ordinary sums in the Rule of Three- two more Compound Multiplication; one, Compound Addition; and the others, Simple Multiplication or rtrtr Tr ?"V 1° 0 ; about one half of them appeared to know" perfectly. The two first-mentioned Half-castes are versed in Elementary Geography and several of

Number and class of Scholars, Sec.

] Attainments ami progress and nature of' instruction. I i

I'ood.

Clothing.

Cleanliness andhoalth.

School-buildings and laud.

Discipline, management and efficiency.

Numbers, kc.

Attainments and progress and nature of instruction.

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