E.—2.

5

This group contains several schools which are in all respects most creditable to the Department. They are thoroughly efficient as regards the instruction given and thoroughly satisfactory as regards cleanliness and general appearance. 1 regret to have to record another loss from our ranks amongst the schools of this group. Mr. Walter, who was really the founder of the school at Manaia, and who had been in charge of it since its inception, died after a very short illness in July. In March, 1907, the Hey. D. T. Hailey, of Wai-iti School, who in spite of indifferent health of Ion"- standing had made his school one of the most efficient, and had also earned for it a widespread reputation for cleanliness and general appearance, passed away. Group V. — Tuhoe and Urewera District. The schools in this district are: Te Teko, RuatoM, Waimana, and Te Whaiti. On the whole the schools of this group cannot be regarded as very satisfactory, a state of things due to the habits of the people themselves, and not to the teachers of the Department. Superstition binds the Ureweras more closely than it does any other tribe with whom we have to deal, and they are consequently easily imposed upon. The attendance of these schools has been seriously affected by the withdrawal of the children to await the coming of the King, or to escape the great disaster threatened by the new prophet whose doings have attracted attention lately. It is to be feared that matters will beoome even worse in the future. The Department has learned that the present intention of the prophet is to gradually draw the children away from our schools and enlist them under his banner. Unless something can be done to prevent this the effects are likely, therefore, to be serious, though, of course, they may be only temporary in character.. At all events, it is impossible to proceed with the establishment of new schools in Urewera at present, and the proposed school at Euatahuna must await the turn of the tide. Regarding the actual condition of the schools as disclosed during inspection, I regret to note that in one or two there was a want of cleanliness among the children. The children of one of the most isolated schools, Te Whaiti, were remarkably clean both in their habits and persons, and there would seem therefore to I*. no reason why the children in the other schools should not be clean also. Faulty methods and undue haste in promotion are still to be noticed here, and some teachers have yet to appreciate the advantages of teaching the sound values of the consonants and of making consistent use of this method. I may add here that there seems every probability that EoJeako School, in the east part of Urewera, may be reopened shortly. The school, which began with a large number of children, fell away suddenly. Owing to the fact that many children died, the people came to look upon the school as being a source of makutu, and withdrew their children. There are now in the district some forty children, all of whom are young. It is to be hoped that they will not come under the influence of the prophet, but will attend the school, from which the tapu has now been removed by the elders of the tribe. (Since this was written the numbers have been reduced by the influence of the prophet. The school is, however, to be conducted temporarily as an aided school.) Group Vl. — Western Bay of Plenty. There are seven schools in this group—viz., Te Kotukutuku, Paeroa, Papamoa, Te Mated, Matata, Otamauru, and Poroporo. These schools are now in a prosperous condition, and the attendance has during the year been very satisfactory. Poroporo and Te Matai Schools are, indeed, overcrowded, and steps are being taken to provide additional accommodation. With the exception of the teaching of reading in one or two schools, the methods in general use may be regarded as very satisfactory. There is further ample evidence of a very healthy tone in nearly all the schools, while the cleanliness of the children is very pleasing. These good results are achieved by improved management, and in most cases the discipline is such that corporal punishment is not necessary. Arrangements are in hand for the establishment of a school on Motiti Island, the people living there having for years had to board out their children with friends on the mainland. Group VII . — Eastern Bay of Plenty. The schools included here are: Waioweka, Omarumutu, Torcre, Omaio, Tekaha, and Eaukokore. The condition of the schools of this group as revealed during the examination visit is such as reflects very great credit on the teachers, and should give every satisfaction to the Department. The attendance, except in the case of Waioweka, where the influence of the prophet referred to above has also been felt was throughout the year very good, and the interest taken by the people in their schools speaks well for the efforts of the teachers. In nearly every school the cleanliness of the children and the schoolroom was beyond reproach. The results were uniformly good. In the case of Omaio and Te Kaha they were nothing short of excellent. A special feature was the excellent English and other work done in the preparatory classes of Omaio School, the master of which, Rev. H. Young, retired to enjoy a well-earned rest during the year. The workshop at Te Kaha School has been very successful, and is evidently much appreciated by the people, who are most loyal in support of their school. Eaukokore School, the teacher of which, Mr. J. Mulhern, also retired during the year, was not examined, the school being vacant at the time of the Inspector's visit. Additional accommodation has been provided at this school, which was reopened in December quarter with promising prospects.