3

G.—2a,

subject, I should like to remind the Government that these articles, in the hands of active boys, are liable to a considerable amount of wear and tear, and the occasional renewal of them would be acceptable. I have, in my report, mentioned the names of some of the pupils who have most distinguished themselves, and would beg to recommend that the Government would give them something in the way of prizes, as I think it would create a spirit of emulation amongst them, and be conducive of much good. The parents of the children would be very proud of anything of the kind, and it would, if possible, tend to make these schools more popular than they already are. I am glad to say that the Natives have during the year paid up their subscriptions towards the support of the schools with punctuality, showing that they fully appreciate the value of them. It is proposed to establish two other schools on the banks of the Hokianga River —one at Waihou, a settlement of the Rarawa; and another in the neighbourhood of TJtakura, the settlement of the Ngapuhi chief Wiremu Hopihona Te Tahua. In conclusion, I beg to state that, in examining these schools, I have always made it a practice that my visit should be wholly unexpected. I have, &c, Spencee ton Sttjemeb, The Hon. the Native Minister, "Wellington. Resident Magistrate. Repoet. Whirinahi School. —Last visited by me in March. On the occasion of my visit I found 41 pupila in attendance, viz., 4 Europeans, 6 half-castes, and 31 Natives, between the ages of 6 and 15 years. I examined them in reading, writing, and spelling, and found the elder pupils had made great progress. The whole of them understood the questions asked them, which, as in all the schools, were in English. The school, owing to the resignation of the teacher, has been closed this month, but will re-open in a few days. Pahia. —l visited this school on the 11th instant, and found 54 children in school of both sexes, of whom 6 were Europeans, 4 half-castes, and 44 Natives. I carefully examined the children in reading, spelling, and writing English. The children had improved very much since my last visit, and some of the pupils, who had been at the Waitapu school prior to the opening of this one, read and pronounced English as well or better than European children of the same age who were in the class with them. Those children who had only been to school a few months seemed to have great difficulty in pronouncing words of which the letters L and S formed a part, but on the whole they all seem to have tried their best, and are in a fair way of being able to read and speak in a very intelligible manner. The result of my examination I give below. Master W. Seon, the son of the Harbourmaster, has rendered Mr. Woods great assistance as a monitor, and I recommend'him to the notice as the Government. Ist Class. —Reading and Spelling: Boys, Hugh Moetara; girls, Emily Wells (half-caste). 2nd Class. —Reading and Spelling: Boys, Heri Tiopira; girls, Martha Te Hemera, and Clara Wells (half-caste). 3rd Class. —Reading and Spelling : Boys, Hohepa Taniora; girls, Ripeka Te Hemera. ■ Writing: Boys, Hemi Papakura; girls, Jane Boyce (half-caste). Good Conduct: W. Seon. Waitapu. —I visited this school on the 13th, and was sorry to find only 12 children in attendance, of whom 2 were half-castes and 10 Natives. On my arrival they were busy with a geography lesson, and I found them all well advanced in reading, arithmetic, and geography. There being so few pupils, the teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Hill, had been able to bestow a greater amount of attention upon them; and this, combined with the fact that the school under notice is the oldest established in the district, accounts for the marked advanced progress of the children. I have found it difficult to name any one from this school for a prize, their proficiency being so evenly balanced. The total number of children upon the attendance roll is 22. BaTcau Para. —I visited this school on the 18th, a wet and windy day, and I found 62 pupils of both sexes in attendance, of whom 4 were European, 5 half-castes, and 53 Natives, the number of children on the school roll being 80. I carefully examined the children, as in the other schools mentioned in my report, and found that they had made great progress since the opening of the school in October last, a few of the pupils who had formerly been at Waitapu being able to read and speak English in a most creditable manner. Below will be found the names of the pupils who have most distinguished themselves: — Ist Class. —Reading and Spelling: Boys, Noa Kuka; girls, Annie Tipene. 2nd Class. —Reading and Spelling : Boys, Te Utai Noe ; girls, Hetty Ewa. 3rd Class. —Reading and Spelling: Boys, Hone Makiri; girls, Sophia Tipene. Writing: Boys, Newa Monaroa ; girls, Annie Tipene. Waima. —Owing to the stormy and wet weather w rith which we have been visited of late, I was unable to inspect this school until yesterday, the 28th instant. I found 54 pupils in school of both sexes, of whom 5 were Europeans, 3 half-castes, and 46 Natives, the number of names on the school roll being 65. Mr. Moore informed me that the attendance at his school has been very good during the past three months, and that a larger number of children would have been present on the day of my visit had the Waima river not been flooded. It is, however, the intention of the natives to erect a good bridge so that the children may be able to attend at all times. The names of the children who were most proficient are given below. I found that the pupils had made great progress in their knowledge of English, but I think that a vocabulary in English and Maori of simple words in general use is very much wanted; many of the children, who could read, spell, and pronounce English very well, were far from understanding the meaning of the subject they were reading about. With reference to prizes, I think an expenditure of about £2 per annum on each school would be