E.-3

10

subjects of instruction, the pupils have work and duties to undertake in connection with the management and working of the schools. At Te Aute College an agricultural course is provided which includes a practical training in farming operations, All the schools referred to in this section are subject to inspection, and the reports indicate that work of a good standard is being done. At the end of the year several of the more capable scholars succeeded in passing the Public Service Entrance Examination, and some lads from Te Aute College were successful in the Matriculation Examination. At St. Stephen's School, Auckland, quite a large proportion of the pupils are lads from the islands in the Pacific —Samoa, Rarotonga, Tonga, and Niue. Several of them are holders of free places or scholarships granted by the administration in control of educational affairs in the islands. This influx of lads of lower educational attainments than those of the Maori lads has caused some difficulty in maintaining the usual standard of work in this school. Scholarships, etc. The scholarships available for Maori scholars are as follows : (1) Junior scholarships or free places ; (2) Senior scholarships or free places— (a) industrial (apprenticeships), (b) agricultural, (c) nursing scholarships; (3) University scholarships; (4) Te Makarini scholarships; (5) Buller scholarship. The junior scholarships are available for pupils from Native village schools, and occasionally from public schools, who are considered worthy of a further educational course. Of the 153 free places available, 108 were current at the end of the year. A limited number of senior scholarships are available. In regard to apprenticeships the position is similar to that referred to in last year's report, and there is practically no demand, on the part of Maori lads to take up this scholarship. Agricultural scholarships are now tenable at Te Aute College, and during last year two lads held such scholarships. Nursing Scholarships are awarded to suitably qualified girls who wish to take up nursing. Three girls were under training at the end of the year. University Scholarships are awarded to promising Maori youths who have passed the Matriculation Examination, and are intended to enable them to take up a profession which will eventually prove of service and benefit to the Maori race. Three such scholarships were current at the end of last year —one (medicine) at Otago University, and two at Canterbury College (one law and one electrical engineering). The Te Makarini Scholarships, which are of the annual value of £35, are tenable at Te Aute College. These scholarships are provided from funds derived from a private bequest. For the year 1922 three scholarships were offered for competition —one senior and two junior scholarships—one of the latter being reserved, for pupils from Native village schools. The senior scholarship is open for competition to lads from any school. For this scholarship there were nineteen candidates —ten from St. Stephen's School, Auckland ; five from Te Aute College ; three from Wharekahika Native School ; and one from Tuahiwi Public School, Canterbury. For the junior scholarships there were ten candidates- three from Whakarewarewa Native School; three from Wharekahika Native School; one from Kaikohe Native School; two from St. Stephen's School; and one from Tuahiwi Public School. The senior scholarship was awarded to Autiti Wyckliffe, of Te Aute College, and the junior scholarships to Kaharoa Rangawhenua, of Whakarewarewa, and to Selwyn Te Paa, of St. Stephen's Boys' School. The number of candidates for the junior scholarship was again disappointingly small, and the view expressed in last year's report that it was ridiculous to suppose that the village schools could not furnish more than seven candidates for the scholarship must be reiterated. Teachers who neglect to encourage eligible pupils to compete for the scholarship can scarcely be regarded as showing much interest in the progress and advancement of their pupils, and are in fact neglecting their plain duty. The Buller Scholarship is also provided from, funds derived from a private bequest. This scholarship, which is of the annual value of £30, and is tenable at Te Aute College, is open for competition amongst lads who are predominantly Maori. Twelve candidates sat for the examination — seven from Te Aute College and five from St. Stephen's School, Auckland. The scholarship was gained by Autiti Wyckliffe, of Te Aute College, but as this lad elected to take up the Senior To Makarini Scholarship, which he also gained, the trustees awarded the Buller Scholarship to Taimuri Rapana, of Te Aute College. The examinations for these scholarships are. conducted, by the Department, and it is gratifying to find such keen competition, for the senior Te Makarini and Buller Scholarships. Concluding Remarks. During the past year there was comparatively little interruption in the work of the schools on account of sickness or other causes, and consequently a successful, year's work was accomplished. The number of Native schools now in existence is larger than it has been at any time in the previous history of the schools, and there arc still many settlements (most of them small) where the people are anxious for the establishment of schools. The Maori people arc proud of their schools, and are keenly alive to their value as a means to advancement and progress. The Department has reason to be satisfied with the general efficiency of the schools, and with the work of the teachers, who as a body realize the responsibility placed upon them and show an earnestness in their work that is praiseworthy. In connection with the examination and inspection of the Native village schools, the mission schools, and the Native secondary schools, I have to acknowledge the assistance rendered by Mr. Henderson, Inspector of Native Schools. I have, &c, Jno. Porteous, Senior Inspector of Native Schools. The Director of Education, Wellington.