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tion. The teacher, although not in the best of health, is doing wonders, and deserves great praise." Whakarapa.—Here it was found that considerable improvement had taken place in nearly every respect. It is to be hoped that, at the next visit, this improvement will be found to have been continuous and progressive. There should bo a capital little school here by-and-by if the master attends to his work properly. Wliangape. —This school was suffering from the effects of a very severe fever epidemic. Although most of the children had recovered sufficiently to go to school, the effects of the disease were still obvious. It is probable that the school will not reach its former high standard until at least a year has passed by. The future prospects are good, and it is probable that an average somewhat under fifty will be maintained here for many years. I repeat the substance of a remark made in a former report: Seeing that Whangape is so thoroughly isolated that months often pass by without its being visited by a single European, the Department has been fortunate in obtaining the services of teachers who thoroughly realise that it is their duty to do the best they can for the Natives, and to render them every reasonable assistance in school and out of it. I have reason to know that during the fever epidemic the master often incurred serious risks in order that the patients in his district might receive proper care and attention. Bay of Islands. Mr. J. H. Greenway, Clerk of Court, Bussell, has charge of this district, which was formerly one of the least satisfactory. Within the last year or two there has been a pleasing revivalfof interest in their schools on the part of the Natives, and the district is rapidly gaining ground. As in the other northern districts, fever has been prevalent, and has given a temporary check to progress ; but the epidemic is about over, and a season of prosperity may be looked forward to with considerable confidence. Mangakahia. —The fever had taken a very severe form in this district; no fewer than twentyseven deaths had occurred within a very short time before my visit took place. Adults and children had been swe'pt off with dreadful rapidity. The district, being intersected in all directions by large creeks and the winding Mangakahia Biver, which frequently overflow their banks, and on subsiding leave the flats in a marshy condition, is peculiarly exposed to danger from any epidemic that may once gain a footing. The Natives appeared to be well pleased with their new master. Wharepapa, the chief, and other leading men informed me that he was just the man for the place. I have since heard, however, that the school is not getting on very satisfactorily. It is likely that the fever has thoroughly disorganized the affairs of the settlement, and school matters among other things. Time is probably required to set the place right again. Waikare. —The school at Waikare has been thoroughly resuscitated. The new master had been there more than six months, and consequently the "new broom" stage had been passed through; but the Natives spoke of the master in the highest terms, and with great anticipations of • the good he was going to do them and their school. My opinion coincides with that of the Natives. It is hoped that the Maoris will succeed in keeping the attendance above the limit required for a village school. Paihia. —The teacher was compelled through ill-health to give up work at the end of the third quarter of the year, and the school was not reopened until the beginning of the new school year. This was, of course, a serious drawback to the progress of the school. Mrs. Hickson has since resigned, and the department has lost the services of an enthusiastic and hardworking teacher. There was a considerable increase in the attendance when the school was reopened. This was caused by the praiseworthy exertions of the half-caste residents of the place, who wore determined that the school should not be broken up through any fault of theirs. Ohaeawai. —The chief of this district is an intelligent and well-meaning man, but remarkably easy-going. Until lately he has not taken very much interest in the school; though on the whole favourable to it, he could not be induced to exert his really great influence in the direction of inducing parents to make small sacrifices in order that their children might attend regularly. Of late, however, he has been doing his best to make the school succeed, and there is reason to hope that the attendance will be better than it has been for many years past. The late teacher, who is very competent, has been removed to Te Ahuahu, and her place has been taken by the master of Fort Galatea School. Kaikohe. —The way in which this school is conducted, and the order, cleanliness, and industry of the pupils, are most satisfactory. It is said, too, that a great and satisfactory change in the habits and manners of all the Natives of the district has been effected of late years. No doubt the school and the teachers have done much to bring about this change, but very much of it is due to the efforts of the Bev. M. Kapa and the Committee. This Native clergyman has been untiring in his efforts to promote the welfare, not only of this, his own school, but of all the schools in his district. It is gratifying to be able to say that his efforts have been very successful. Whangarei, Kaipara, Waikato, and Thames. The schools in these districts are scattered, and can hardly be said to be under the care of District Superintendents. Mr. J. S. Clendon, 8.M., of Whangarei; Mr. G. T. Wilkinson, Native Agent, Alexandra; and Mr. G. Brown, of the Native Office, Auckland, have given much valuable assistance during the year, and have kindly performed most of the duties appertaining to the office of District Superintendent. It would be difficult to make any remarks that would apply to all or to the greater number of these schools ; it will be better, therefore, to deal with them one by one. Matakohe. —This school was closed when I was last in the district; it has just been reopened. It is to be hoped now that another good teacher has been sent to them, that the Natives will send their children to school with greater regularity, and not, after letting them be absent from school the greater part of the time, blame the teacher if they do not get on,