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however, has at present the advantage of giving the Department the opportunity of obtaining among the boys a better class of candidates. In any case, there should be, I think, a special examination of candidates for free places in higher schools, and this 1 hope to have arranged for in the new code. The syllabus of work adopted in all the schools, with the exception of Te Awte College, follows closely upon the lines of the public-schools syllabus. To this is added, as will be seen from previous paragraphs, training in such manual occupations as are likely to fit the boys and girls to take their places as members of the Maori community. This, indeed, is the most important feature of the higher education given to Maoris, and it is therefore receiving more attention than formerly. Unless a Maori girl is destined to become a teacher, as some have done with great success, or to seek training as a nurse, it seems to me that there is no need for her to spend time in studying the various rules in arithmetic excepting those which are likely to be of immediate use to her in her ) iome e.g., the compound rules and bills of accounts. Her time had far better be devoted to acquiring those accomplishments which every woman should possess and which go so far to make the home comfortable, European Children in Native Schools. Reference to the tables will show that there are 201 boys and 181 girls attending Native schools in various parts of the colony. So far as lam aware, their parents are well satisfied with the progress the children are making, and in many instances they have expressed their satisfaction to me. Ten certificates of competency in Standard VI and twenty-two certificates of proficiency have been issued during the year. Maori Children in Board Schools. In order to give to Maori children attending Board schools the same opportunities as are open to the scholars of Native schools, scholarships are offered carrying similar privileges as the ordinary Native schools scholarships. At present the standard of attainment is Standard V, but the majority of candidates present certificates of competency or proficiency in Standard VI. The number of applicants for such scholarships is not very great, and I think that in the new arrangements with regard to free places for Maori boys and girls the candidates from Board schools should be required to pass a special examination identical with that which I propose in the case of the Native schools. The standard classification of Maori and half-caste children attending Board schools during 1906 is not shown by the returns at present supplied by the various Boards. The number of Maori children who passed Standard VI, gaining either a certificate of competency or proficiency, were: Auckland 21, Wang-anui 1, Wellington 6, North Canterbury 1. None appear to have been gained in the other education districts where Maori children attend —viz., Taranaki, Hawko's Bay, Marlborough, Nelson, Grey, Westland, South Canterbury, Otago, and Southland. Apprenticeships. At the end of 1906 there were six Maori boys apprenticed to various trades at the instance of the Department. Of these, four came from Native schools and two from public schools, the Department offering children from the latter schools similar privileges to those enjoyed by children from our own schools. In answer to inquiries satisfactory reports as to the conduct and progress of the apprentices were received. In only one case has there been a defection, and this was due to influence such as few Maoris can resist. I think that it would be a better arrangement to give an apprenticeship as a kind of senior free place tenable after the boy has had a year or so at a secondary school. Nursing Scholarships. Under the system fully described in my last annual report, there is now one probationer holding a senior nursing scholarship at the Wellington, Napier, and Auckland Hospitals respectively, while there are two day-pupils or junior scholars at the Napier Hospital and one at the Auckland Hospital. Inquiries made at these institutions go to show that the girls are, on the whole, doing very well, though it is found that the examinations which they are required to pass in common with the European nurses on the staff prove very difficult to Maori girls. It might be possible to arrange a special curriculum adapted to the particular needs of Maoris, with a special form of certificate. During a visit to a Maori village in which one of our former nursing scholars now resides I was glad to learn that good use was being made of her knowledge and skill, and that she was proving of much service to the people there. University Scholarships. Six scholarships are provided for Maori youths who have passed with credit the entrance examination to the University. Of these, three are reserved for those who wish to study medicine, and the other three for students taking the course in arts, science, or law. The Maori youth who held a scholarship in medicine last year has been successful in passing the examination qualifying him for the medical profession, this being the second case of a Maori's doing so in New Zealand. Another scholarship in medicine was granted early this year (1907) to a promising young Maori who had passed the preliminary medical examination, and he is now attending classes at Otago University. Two scholarships are being held in law at Auckland University College, and the reports received by the Department from the authorities of the College are so far very satisfactory.