E.—2

4

New school-buildings have been erected at Paparore and Bangiawhia, and have proved a very great boon to the teachers and pupils who have for several years worked under very adverse conditions in temporary buildings. The Inspector-General of Schools performed the opening ceremony at Bangiawhia. He expressed his satisfaction with the work of the children, with the regularity of their attendance, and with the surprisingly clean state in which he found the school furniture, &c. The attendance at these schools has been very satisfactory. Especially has this been the case at Te Kao School, where, as I have mentioned in previous reports, the children travel very long distances on foot with a commendable degree of regularity. Hapua and Ahipara Schools received several checks during the year through an epidemic of sickness which led to the closing of both schools for some time. The cleanliness of these schools, with one or two exceptions, leaves little to be desired, and the methods of instruction and results obtained are on the whole satisfactory. One still finds, however, in this group a few schools in which children cannot do without the use of fingers in arithmetic, and others where the teachers have made no advance beyond the pattern lesson in reading taken for their instruction by the Inspector. In these particular schools the standard of efficiency is much below that of the other schools in the group. The workshop at Pukepoto, erected on the " selfhelp " system by the teacher and people, has made a successful beginning, and will doubtless prove of much value to the progressive Maoris of this district. I regret, to record the death of Mr. W. O. Duthie, of Whaharara School, who, though not long in our service, had already by his enthusiasm and attachment to duty succeeded in infusing new energy and life into the school. Group II. — Hokianga District. The Hokianga schools are: Whangape, Matihetihe, Whakarapa, and Lower Waihou, Mangamuku, Maraeroa, Motukaraka, Waimamaltu, Whirinaki, Omanaia, Waima, and Otaua. I have again to express my appreciation of the interest shown in these schools and the services rendered by Mr. T. L. Millar, of Rawene, who acts as local visitor. During the year increased accommodation has been provided at Mangamuka and Waima Schools, while Matihetihe School has progressed to such an extent that the Department will probably have to make better provision for the children attending it. Special interest attaches to this school, inasmuch as it has reached a high stage of efficiency under the charge of its present teacher, herself a Maori. With the exception of two schools, where the attendance is little short of discreditable, the children have attended very regularly indeed. The schools are also in a satisfactory condition as regards efficiency, the majority of them being really first-rate. There are now four workshops attached to the schools of this district. Handwork of various forms is done in most of them, cookery classes have been successfully established in some, and instruction in practical dressmaking and the use of the sewing-machine is given in others. During the year Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Brown, of Whirinaki, and Mrs. E. Anderson, of Maraeroa, who have done valuable work in the service of the Department, resigned their positions. Group 111. — Bay of Islands, Wlmngarei, and Kaipara. The schools in these counties are: Kaikohe, Tautoro, Oliaeawai, Te Ahuahu, Oromahoe, Karetu, Whanqwruru, Te Bawhiti, Poroti, Takahiwai, and Otamatea. Tautoro School, opened in June, has made an exceedingly gratifying start, and promises to be a most successful school. , ..,,,., The phenomenal success of Kaikohe has continued during the year, and it is still the largest Native school. .The additional accommodation has now been provided. With regard to Te Ahuahu and Ohaeawai, I think that the time is not far distant when these will be merged in one central school for the European and Maori children of the district. It is noteworthy, however, that at Ohaeawai the second generation of children, most of whom are very young, are now attending, making this school now much larger in numbers than it has been for irS The faults observed in these schools last year are now no longer so prominent, though one finds still a reluctance on the part of some of the teachers to try new methods, especially in the teaching of reading and arithmetic. The cleanliness of the children and also of the buildings leaves little room for complaint. ~-,., t i. f n At Takahiwai School there is now a workshop, and cooking classes have been successtully established. , , , , c I regret to have to record the death of Mr. J. Patrick, who had completed many years of faithful service at Whangaruru School. Group IV. — Thames, Hot Lakes, Waikato, and King-country. There are in this group the following schools: Manaia (Coromandel), Te Kerepehi, Bakaumanga, Parawera, Te Kopua, Mangaorongo, Oparure, Hauaroa (Taumarunui), Te Waotu, Banana, Wai-iti, Whakarewarewa, and Waiotapu. _ Manqaoronqo School, closed temporarily last year, has since been reopened with fair success. Oparure School, situated some four miles from Te Kuiti, began operations in the early part of the year but has not proved so successful as regards numbers as was anticipated. Additions are in hand at Umwnui. It seems likely, however, that this school will not remain much longer a Native school, but be transferred to the Auckland Board of Education. Waiotapu School has gradually fallen away owing to the Maoris leaving the place to seek work elsewhere, and will therefore be closed for the present.