PAPERS RELATING TO NATIVE SCHOOLS.

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The meeting proceeded to elect their committee of seven, two of whom are Europeans, viz., the Rev. Mr. Matthews and Mr. Ralph Pickmere, the latter of whom was elected chairman. They also nominated trustees for the school site,.and Mr. Ernest Matthews (a married man, son of the clergyman) for schoolmaster. An excellent selection, which I have taken upon myself to confirm. I find the Natives north of the Bay of Islands comparatively poor, so far as I have yet seen — deriving their support chiefly from kauri gum digging. The land between Waimate and the extreme north point which I have visited is poor to a degree which it is difficult to conceive, and consequently one sees little or no attempt at cultivation. There are partial exceptions to this extreme sterility, as at Whangaroa and Kaitaia, and the kauri timber trade at Whangaroa gives very profitable occupation to both Natives and Europeans ; but, as a rule, I have found that whilst it would be unwise to remit all contributions from the Natives for the education of their children, they ought not in such districts as I have named, to be called upon for more than one-fourth of the Schoolmaster's salary. Accordingly, I have fixed the master's salary at Awanui at £80 a year, £60 of which to be furnished by the Government and £20 by the Natives, to commence when it is reported to me that the necessary repairs and school furniture have been completed, for which I have authorised an expenditure of £10. In neither of the cases named (Pukepoto, Ahipara, and Awanui) will schoolmasters' houses be necessary, as the proposed masters have their own houses in their respective neighbourhoods. On my return to Whangaroa I endeavoured to hold a meeting, there being a considerable Native population in the valley, though very much scattered. I was not, however, able to get them together, though I remained an extra day for the purpose, but I was able to make such arrangements with one of the principal men, who is very anxious and active, and with Mr. Lane, a very respectable settler, who would probably be elected their chairman, as I think can be easily completed by their Eesident Magistrate (Mr. Edward Williams) on his next visit to Whangaroa in about a fortnight. I have now returned to Waimate, with a view of visiting Kaikohe and Maungakahia, the latter a remote and isolated district, very difficult of access, but having a large Native population. On my return I shall proceed to Hokianga, which will occupy me about a week ; after which I shall return to Auckland, and go thence to Kaipara to meet the chiefs on their return from Tokongamutu. I will report further progress from Auckland. I have, &c, A. H. Russell.

No. 8. The Inspectoe op Schools to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Waimate, Bay of Islands, Sib,— 14th March, 1872. With reference to that part of my letter of yesterday's date, which relates to the school at Awanui, I have the honor to annex herewith the names of the School Committee, Chairman, proposed Trustees of school site, and boundaries of School District. I have, &c., A. H. Russell.

Awanui (Kaitaia). School Committee. —Mr. Ealph Pickmere (Chairman), Eev. Joseph Matthews, Tamiti Rangitaumutu, Charles Baker (Native), Hakaria, Hohepa Poutama, Henere Maru. Proposed Trustees. —Tamiti Rangitaumutu, Wi Tararu, Ralph Pickmere. Boundaries of School District.— Commencing at W&ipapa Kauri, thence by a straight line to Mangatete, thence by the Government road to Kaitaia, thence by the river Awanui to the commencing point.

No. 9. The Inspectoe op Schools to the Hon. the Native Ministee. Waimate, Bay of Islands, Sic,— , 14th March, 1872. Referring to that passage in my letter of yesterday's date, in which I stated that I would report specially upon the school at Pukepoto, under charge of Mr. Masters, I now beg to report accordingly, that I visited it unexpectedly, and found in it an evidence of how much may be done with very small means by those who really have an object at heart. Mr. Masters appears to have commenced the education of the Natives in his own vicinity, without a school-house, furniture, books, or any of the usual requirements, with but twelve scholars, and no salary. He got the loan of a Native house from the young chief, Timothy Busby, got together some forms and desks, of very rough description, succeeded in then getting aid from the Provincial, and subsequently from the General Government, and has now a school of thirty scholars (the house will not contain mor_), who are more advanced in English, and in the usual elementary branches of education than those whom I have found in Institutions upon which large sums of public money have been' expended. The school is now, however, liberally aided by the Provincial Government,, who contributed at first £40 a year by way of salary to the Master, which it has since increased to £6®, and has also, as Mr.