5

E.—2.

Ptikepoto. —Although this is one of the oldest schools in the district, the Committee have yet to learn that the function of the school is to educate the children, and -not to be a means through which ploughs, nets, and other useful things may be obtained from the Government. Ahipara. —Educational matters appear to be on a permanently satisfactory basis here. Energy which was formerly used in the production and maintenance of disputes and ill-feeling is now more usefully employed in promoting the success of the school. Peria. —After long and most efficient service the master has been removed to a larger school in the Bay of Plenty District. His place has been taken by a teacher from the South Island. Pamapioria. —The teachers understand the importance of making Maori children speak English from the very first, and they also know how to teach their pupils to do it. Pamapuria is therefore particularly strong in English. Te Moari, Kaeo. —The attendance of Maori children is so small that this has now quite the aspect of a European school. The position of affairs should be considered in connection with the question of the establishment of a Native school at Te Pupuke. Ilokianga. — District Superintendent, Mr. S. yon Stiirmer, B.M. Wliangape. —The teacher works under disadvantageous circumstances, the chief of which is the thorough isolation of his pupils from all English-speaking people except himself and his family. This district has suffered severely from fever-epidemics during the last few years. Whaharapa. —Matters have been in a very unsettled condition here during the greater part of the year, but there now seems reason to hope that there will be permanent improvement. Lower Waihou. —An attempt is being made to establish a half-time school hero in connection with Whakarapa: some time must elapse before it can be seen whether the experiment is likely to succeed or not. Upper Waihou. —The success of this school is greatly interfered with through the incorrect views held by the people with regard to the Government and the work that it does for the benefit of the Maori race: the people appear to think that Native schools are established by the Government for some other purpose than that of benefiting the Natives. In time, no doubt, sad experience will cause the Waihou people to grow wiser. Waitapu. —lt is, unfortunately, very difficult to keep up a good attendance at this, the oldest of the Hokianga schools. The population, never very large, has been seriously diminished by severe and frequent fever-epidemics. Whirinahi. —A very good beginning has been made by the new master. The examination was merely formal, as most of the scholars presented had been absent from school during the greater part of the year. Waima. —As a civilising agency this school ranks among the first. The work of the Committee is conducted in a formal and business-like manner. Omanaia. —The master was in very weak health for a considerable portion of the year; this fact, no doubt, has caused the schoolto take a lower place in the lists than it would have held if circumstances not depending oil the master's zeal and ability had been more favourable. Pahia. —Most of the pupils here are half-castes. Useful work is done. Motulcaraha. —A change of masters took place during the year, with the usual effect of temporarily lowering the character of the results obtained. Most of the children now attending are very young. Mangamuka. —The good examination-results obtained here would have given the school a high place if somewhat more attention had been paid to subsidiary matters, which cannot bo left out of account when an estimate of a school's general efficiency is being made. Otaua. — A capital beginning has been made here. Waimamaku. —This new school also has made a satisfactory start. The Hokianga schools, through the removal of Mr. S. yon Stunner, E.M., to the Wairarapa District, have lost a very zealous and consistent supporter. There can be no doubt that Mr. yon Stiirmer has done a very great deal towards helping to make the Native-school system successful. The Hokianga District is now added to the Northern District, which is presided over by Mr. Bishop, who thus has twenty schools under his care. Bay of Islands.—District Superintendent, Mr. J. 11. Grecnway. Mangahahia. —A gratifying amount of success is being achieved at this isolated and, in the winter time, almost inaccessible school. KaiJcohe. —This is a highly useful and satisfactory school. Ohaeaivai. —The attendance here is much better than it was formerly. Te AlmaJiu. —A school had been much needed here for many years. The Natives are showing a very praiseworthy amount of interest in its success. Paihia. —The attendance is very small, but if the children were not educated through the means now employed they would certainly get no education at all. Taumarere. —This, like the previous school, educates a small number of Maori children, who could hardly receive education by any other means. The payment in both cases is by a capitation grant. Waihare. —There are some signs of reviving interest on the part of the Natives in the education of their children. Karetu. —This district has already been referred to, The school had just been opened at inspection time.