E.—2.

One of the most interesting items in the Inspector's report is the statement of the fact that in the year 1880 the race of the children attending Native schools could be represented by the following percentages: Maoris, 76 - 46 ; half-castes, 9 - 61 ; Europeans, 13 - 93. For 1902 the corresponding figures are: Maoris, 8832 ; half-castes, 8 - 98; Europeans, 9-7. These figures, of course, indicate that Native school work is becoming more specialised than it was; that, in fact, the work of educating the Maoris is being grappled with more strenuously as time goes on. The summary account given in the Inspector's Table 10, of the higher work done by ex-pupils of Native village schools, is also interesting; it shows that the Department does not lose sight of its more promising pupils when they have completed their village-school course. It is not necessary to reproduce here the information given in the Inspector's report.

No. 2. The Inspector op Maori Schools to the Inspector-General op Schools. Sir, — In accordance with the terms of my appointment,, as set forth in the Department's letter of 20th November, 1879, I have the honour to lay before you a report on the general condition of the Maori schools of New Zealand, and the work done by them during the year 1902. At the end of 1901 there were ninety schools in full working-order; at the end of 1900 the number was eighty-nine. In the course of 1902 eight new village schools were opened, and one was reopened. During last year, or some portion of it, 103 schools were in operation, ninety-nine of these being village schools or subsidised schools, and four boarding-schools. At the end of the year, as no school had been closed, the number was still 103. If to these were added the denominational schools which the Department has been asked to inspect and examine—viz., those at Matata Convent, Putiki, Otaki, and Waerenga-a-Hika —the total number of schools would be 107. It should be added, however, that at the end of the year three schools, closed temporarily some time before, had not yet been reopened, and that therefore the number of Maori schools in operation at the end of the year was 104. Changes : New Schools, etc. Whakarewarewa School, at the well-known thermal springs about a mile from Lake Botorua, 'was opened in the March quarter. It has been so far very successful, in spite of the master's long and serious illness. It is believed that, in spite of the difficulty attending school-work in a Maori settlement with almost numberless distractions, there is good reason to hope that the success will be continuous. Hauaroa School, near Taumarunui, on the Upper Wanganui, was opened in the March quarter also. The unexpected rapidity with which the Central Bailway approached Taumarunui caused the population to increase very fast. Hence it has already been necessary to give additional school accommodation. There is no reason to be doubtful about the success of this school. Te Kerepehi School, Thames, was opened in this quarter also. It is not likely that this will be a large school, but it should be a good one. The Maoris of the district are working hard to secure prosperity, and there is little reason to expect failure. The sickness which has been prevalent in most parts of the colony has visited Kerepehi also, and —it is hoped, only temporarily—has disabled its painstaking teacher. Bangiawhia School, Mangonui district: In the early part of the year this school also was opened. It is an experimental school, in a pre-eminently Maori district; it is being taught by Maori teachers, and by no means unsuccessfully. Whakarapa School, Hokianga district, which had been closed since the beginning of 1900, was reopened in the March quarter. There is a considerable Maori population in the surrounding district, and there is now reason to hope that one or two schools can be maintained there. The country is very difficult in the winter-time, and it is not easy then for the Waihou children to reach Whakarapa. For this reason trial is being made of a side school at Waihou. Earnest and constant work by all the teachers will, no doubt, render it possible to keep on both schools. Parawera School, some six or seven miles from Kihikihi, in the Waikato district, was opened in the June quarter. There have been difficulties to overcome here, and many of them ; but everything is now going on prosperously, and the Maoris already seem proud of their school. Takahiwai School, Whangarei Harbour, began work in the September quarter. The buildings at Taiharuru, where it was not found possible to support a school, were moved to the new position near Point Marsden. There cannot be a very large attendance here ; but a good little school of from twenty to thirty can be maintained with the aid of steady, persevering attention. Tangoio School, Hawke's Bay, began work in the same quarter. It is some twelve or thirteen miles from Napier. The opening was quite an imposing function, and much enthusiasm was displayed by the Maoris. It is expected that not a few children will come to this school from settlements further up the coast. Whangara School, between Gisborne and Tolago Bay, was opened in the December quarter. The attendance here was disappointing at first, but it has improved considerably with the new year; it is expected that as time goes on the settlements near this place will again be able, as they were in the past, to support quite a large school.

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