G.—s.

4

[W. L. WILLIAMS.

108. The report concludes: "The latest official communication encourages us to hope that this will shortly be done." So, apparently,. the trustees and the Government are fairly at one in regard to the question of technical education I —Yes, at that time we were. 109. Do you know what is Mr. Thornton's opinion about technical education? Do you know whether he is opposed to it? —I do not think he is opposed to it. He is jealous of its encroaching much upon the other work. He thinks the ordinary subjects of instruction are of very great importance. 110. Of more importance than technical education 2—Yes. I think he would be sorry to see very much time taken up with technical, education to the detriment of other work. I think that is his opinion. 111. I suppose, as headmaster, he has to manage the school on the lines laid out by the trustees and the Education Department?—So far as I know, the trustees have not definitely laid down lines, but have accepted the position as it is, especially as it seems to have satisfied the Government Inspectors. 112. Of course, Mr. Thornton's position is simply that of teacher; he lias to teach what he is told to teach. I suppose he has no right to mould the policy with regard to what teaching he is to give?— That is his position. 113. With regard to the exchange of laud, the exchange was sanctioned by the General Synod, and also by the diocese?— Yes. If you want to sell any properties held by the General Synod, the matter must be recommended by the diocese first, and then it comes before the General Synod. Nothing could be done without the sanction of the General Synod. 114. I understand the committee of the Diocese of Waiapu took evidence in regard to this exchange and reported to the General Synod, and the General Synod adopted their report?— Yes, they accepted it. 115. I find this reference to the Diocese of Waiapu at page 113 of the " Proceedings of the Sixteenth General Synod, 1904": "Your committee have considered the reports and accounts of the Te Aute trust and the Waerenga-a-Hika Native School trust, and have found them to be entirely satisfactory. The Synod will be pleased to learn that the Government Inspector's reports continue to be uniformly favourable. His opinion is that the last examination of the at Te Ante College has been the most successful ever held there; also that the results of inspection of the Hukarere Native Girls' School are decidedly favourable, and that there has been a distinct improvement in the Waerenga-a-Hika Native School. The report of the Hukarere School shows that considerable additions and improvements have been made to the buildings and grounds, which enable the work of the establishment to be carried on with greater efficiency"?— That was the report. 116. We have got it in evidence that these two sections on which the Hukarere School is built were given by the late Bishop to this trust: do you know whether any person has given any money or spent any money on the trust property ? —The building originally at Hukarere was erected by private money. 117. Was it subscribed? —Yes, and a great deal has been spent upon it by Archdeacon Williams, as weli as upon the Te Aute Estate. 118. Do you know to what extent? —I cannot say. 119. I suppose these moneys have been given?— They have been practically given. I do not know that much account has been taken of them generally. I may say that the improvements in the buildings and grounds at Hukarere, to which reference is made, were done by him out of his own private moneys. 120. Mr. Hogg.] You say you had a valuation made by Mr. Horace Baker before leasing the land, and that you also took into consideration the land-tax valuation ?—Yes. 121. Did you consider at the same time whether it was possible to cut up the property?—We did not take that into consideration. 122. Can you say whether there was any active demand for land in the neighbourhood?— Well, I do not think we went into that question at all. 123. You cannot tell me, I suppose, what is the size of the holdings adjacent to and in the neighbourhood of this land? —No. 124. Do you know whether an area of 7,000 acres is in excess of the usual run of holdings in that locality?—l do not know what many of the holdings are, but one large estate adjoining Te Aute was cut up. That is what is now called the Argyll Settlement. A great deal of it is on the Ruataniwha Plain, to the west of the College estate. . 125. From your knowledge of the property, do you think it is suitable for subdivision?—l am not sufficiently acquainted with it to give an opinion. The greater portion of it is very hilly. 126. You are not able to say whether it would be likely to produce more revenue if cut up into a number of farms ?—No. 127. Can you give us anything like an idea of the number of people who live on this estate? —I am afraid I cannot. 128. I think you said the size of the estate is 7,000 acres? —It is about 7,000 acres. 129. Does the lessee reside on it?— Yes. 130. Do the trustees take an active interest in the school itself? Do they visit it and inspect it?— They do not formally inspect it. I myself have visited it from time to time. 131. They have nothing to do with the management of institution and the payment of accounts, and so on ?—No. 132. They simply receive the balance-sheet every year ?—Yes. 133. Then, they do not really exercise any active control over the institution at all?— No. '134. Supposing the headmaster wanted an increase of pay or wished to improve his staff, would he submit his application to the trustees or simply to Archdeacon Williams?—He would submit it to Archdeacon Williams, I think.