E.—3.

Table Hα shows the mean average roll-number from 1881 to 1901 in five-yearly periods, and from 1901 onwards for each year. The year 1881 is practically the first year of operation of the Native schools under the Education Department. The total average attendance, the average attendance as a percentage of the roll, and the number of teachers employed are also shown.

Table Ha. —Schools, Attendance, and Teachers.

Though the average percentage of regularity of attendance in Native schools has steadily improved during the last five years, it is still lower by o*B per cent, than that of the lowest public-school district. The prevalence of severe epidemics during the year has seriously affected the attendance at some of the larger schools. There are, however, many difficulties to prevent regular attendance in Native schools, and it is therefore pleasing to find that in about one-third of them the average percentage of regularity reaches 90 per cent. There is ample evidence to show that the Maori is fully alive to the necessity of having his children educated, and a large number of apparently well-founded applications fox the establishment of schools is now receiving attention. Table Hi, in the appendix, gives in detail the staffs and salaries of the various schools in order of their grades. Table H2 supplies detailed information in regard to the roll-number, average attendance, and grading of the schools. There were 387 Maori boys and girls receiving higher education at the various secondary Native schools. Of these, 48 boys and 80 girls were holders of free places provided by the Government. Detailed information in respect to Maori pupils receiving higher education will be found in Tables H2 and H3 of the appendix. - The number of European children attending Native schools (set out in Table H4 of the appendix) shows a considerable increase over the numbers for 1910. 1910. 1911. Number attending at end of year .. .. .. .. 427 518 In the preparatory and lower standards (up to Standard V) .. 386 455 In the higher standards (Standards VI and VII) .. .. 41 63 Number of certificates issued— Competency .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 13 Proficiency .. . . .. .. .. .. 7 14 As regards Maoris attending public schools, the following particulars are set out in Table H5: — 1910 19U Number attending at end of year .. .. .. 4,462 4,685 In the preparatory and lower standards (up to Standard V) 4,409 4,618 In the higher standards (Standards VI and VII) .. .. .. 67 Number of certificates issued— Competency .. .. .. .. .. 1 5 Proficiency .. .. .. .. .. 18 29

3

Year. Number of mputi of Average Schools Arerwre Attendance: at End W X&. Whole Year. Average Attendance as Percentage of Weekly Roll. Teachers in Charge. Number of Teachers. Assistant Teachers. Sewing MistressesMale. Female. Male. I Female. 1881 .. 1886 .. 1891 .. 1896 .. 1901 .. 1902 .. 1903 .. 1904 .. 1905 .. 1906 .. 1907 .. 1908 .. 1909 1910 1911 I 60 .. 1,406 69 2,343 2,020 66 2,395 1,837 74 2,874 2,220 89* 3,257 2,592 98* 3,650 3,005 97* 3,805 : 3,012 95* 3,794 3,083 95 4,097 I 3,428 98 4,235 I 3,607 99 4,321 3,561 95 4,479 3,781 94 4,308 3,680 99 4,325 3,714 104 4,621 3,990 60 69 66 74 89* 98* 97* 95* 95 98 99 95 94 99 104 86-2 76-7 77-3 79-6 82-3 79-2 81-3 83-7 85-2 82-4 84-4 85-4 \ 85-9 86-3 54 60 59f 64f 70f : 77t 76f I 73f 74f 78t 82f 76 76 78 81 6 9 8t lit 18f 20f 20f 21f 22t 21f 18f 19 18 21 22 i 4 26 ; 26 I 61 69 83 79 I 85 ■ 87 ; 94 ! 105 104 101 I 106 ; 119 48 30 37 16 15 11 13 11 15 11 3 5 5 4 3 2 2 2 3 3 3 two teachers • Includes two subsi idized schools. t Includes jointly in charge of oi ie school.