5

G.—2.

apathy. For a time the children were kept together, and the school progressed favourably ; but they have gradually fallen off, until latterly only six or seven have attended. The death of six of the scholars tended in some degree to dishearten the parents. The want of provisions has also been assigned as a reason for removing the children. For two successive seasons the crops at Te Ngaere have been swept away by floods, in consequence of which the Natives have many of them removed with their families to more distant villages. The teachers of these schools have much to contend with —difficulties which, perhaps, none but those who have had experience in the education of Maori children could form any idea of. The most trivial excuses are often given for the absence of scholars. Umbrage taken by a parent may be the cause of removing four or five from the schools. The want of assistance on their cultivations, and the great temptation offered for earning large sums of money on the gum fields, have often induced the parents to remove their children from the schools. Notwithstanding these many drawbacks the schools are unquestionably doing good work in the district, and it is to be hoped that the Natives will yet be aroused to the importance of education, and manifest that interest in these schools which would insure compete success. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Office, Wellington. E. M. Williams, E.M.

No. 6. Mr. E. J. O'Sulliyan, Inspector, Board of Education, Auckland, to the Undee Seceetaey, Native Department. Sic, — Board of Education, Auckland, 28th June, 1879. I have the honor to inform you that, in accordance with the request from your department, Mr. Peacocke, of this office, was instructed by the Board of Education to visit as many as possible of the Native schools north of Auckland, and to report thereon. His reports on the schools he has been able to visit are forwarded herewith. I have, &c, E. J. O'Sulliyan, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Inspector.

Enclosure in No. 6. Sic, — Board of Education, Auckland, 2Sth June, 1879. In accordance with instructions received, I have the honor to enclose my reports upon the Native schools in the following districts: Mongonui, Bay of Islands, and Hokianga. I have, &c, The Inspector of Schools, Auckland. Ponsonby Peacocke.

Kohukohu School. —lnspected 9th June, 1879. —Otr roll: Boys, 30 ; girls, 19 : total, 39. Present: Boys, 18; girls, 10: total, 28.—Maps, desks, &c.: The World, two Hemispheres, Europe, Asia, Africa, North arid South America, Australia, Pacific Ocean, England, and New Zealand ; a clock, two blackboards, one ball-frame. Two easels are wanted for the blackboards, which are at present fixtures on the wall. There are two desks whole length of room facing wall on each side, and one double-desk down centre of room. This arrangement of desks is very objectionable, as the whole of the pupils cannot be at one and the same time under the supervision of the master. —Building: 42 feet by 20 fefet, not watertight at the sides, the planking, which is vertical, not having been properly battened; the building, also, has not been sufficiently braced, as shown by the sides bulging considerably. The building requires painting. The teacher receives an allowance in lieu of house accommodation.—Progress of pupils : Eeading, fair. Meanings not sufficiently understood. Composition, with the exception of two or three, not satisfactory. Arithmetic pupils working in the simple rules, with the exception of three or four, who are further advanced, two of them working in Eulc of Three. Geography, some of the senior pupils answered fairly. Writing, below the average. —Efficiency of teacher: Ido not consider that the state of this school is satisfactory. Had more energy been shown by the teacher, the results would have been better. The average attendance is not good, being only fourteen or fifteen. With the Natives I have found, as a rule, that the attendance is greatly dependent upon the efficiency of the master. Waihou Upper. —Inspected 10th June, 1879.—0n roll: Boys, 15 ; girls, 14: total, 29. Present: Boys, 10 ; girls, 11: total, 21. —Maps, &c. : The World, Europe, Pacific Ocean, New Zealand, British Isles ; two blackboards, and one easel, ball-frame, twelve desks and forms. Wanted, two separate hemispheres, some natural-history pictures, and a set of Collins's Eeading Cards. —Building: The schoolroom is 30 feet by 20 feet, side walls 9 feet, no ceiling. The teacher lives in one end of the building in two rooms, 12 feet by 10 feet. This building has only been erected about two years. —Progress of pupils : I can only say that it is very unsatisfactory. Sewing is taught.—Efficiency of master: The teacher does not appear to show the zeal and anxiety to succeed which I should lrke to see. He is, I fear, unsuitable for the position. From inquiries I made, and information I received from the School Committee, I understand that the attendance at this school ought to be at least 40 children. Waima School. —Inspected 12th June, 1879. —On roll: Boys, 26 ; girls, 14 : total, 40. There was no attendance at this school when I visited it, the Committee having closed it for a fortnight on account of severe sickness among the children.—Maps, &c.: Hemispheres, Europe, Oceania, British Isles, New Zealand, and Palestine ; six small wall cards, ball-frame ; two desks, the whole length of building facing the wall on each side—very objectionable—and one long table, with forms up the centre of the room. There are wauted some pictures of animals, a blackboard and easel, and also some wall cards.—