A.—3

6

Migration. The following shows the migration to and from Rarotonga for the period from Ist Aprils 1.923, to 31st March, 1924:— Arrivals. —Europeans : Adults—sl males. 42 females; children—3 males, 2 female's. Natives i Adult? -30 males, 20 females; children—s males, 12 females. Total for year, 165. Departures.— -Europeans : Adults—3s males, 26 females ; children 3 males, 4 females. Native's : Adults —10 males, 6 females; children —1 male, 2 female's. Total for year, 87. Education. The work of education is being improved and extended throughout the Group. A European schoolmaster anel his wife as assistant are being provided for the schools at the Island of Mangaia, in succession to Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Henry, Mr. Henry having been transferred at his own request to a position in the Registrar's Office at Rarotonga. It is also proposed during this year to provide a European schoolmaster at the Islanel of Atiu. The new arrangement decieled upon during the Minister's visit with the London Missionary Society, by which the schools of all the islaneis of the northern group—viz., Penrhyn (two schools), Ma.nihiki (two schools), Rakahanga, Pukapuka, Palmerston—will be properly conducted by the society under the supervision of our Superintendent of Schools, the Administration providing a, subsiely and certain equipment, should result in considerable benefit to the 350 children who, it is estimated, will be, enrolled in those schools. The Agricultural School at Rarotonga has been re-established, and ge>od work, is bejing done under the supervision of Mr. E. A. Reid, Chief Fruit Inspector and Officer in Charge of Agriculture Department. Arrangements are also being made to teach elementary hygiene in all the schools. The scholarship boys and girls attending St. Stephen's, Otaki, and. Hukarere Colleges are; making excellent progress. The proposal mentioned in the last annual report that our Native and other pupil-teachers should have, an opportunity of completing their course of study at a training college in New Zealand has been finally approved by the New Zealand Education Department. In the future we shall thus be; able to provide for suitable teachers from our own people. The annual report of Mr. J. C. M. Evison, Superintendent of Schools, is appended:— Attendance (Lower Group Schools). —As the whole of the returns from throe; of the outlying islands arc not yet forward, the following particulars are only approximate : — Roll number at the beginning of the year .. .. .. .. 1,344 Roll number at the end of the year .. .. ... .. .. 1,411 Mean average daily attendance for the whole Group .. .. .. 1,297-34 In the outlying islands the daily attendance is very creditable; indeed, but in Rarotonga, where it would be expected that parents would be keenly interested in the oelucatiemal welfare of their children, a gre;at deal of trouble is experienced in maintaining a high degree of regularity'in this direction. Syllabus of Work. —The beginning of the year marked an era in eelucational progress, when, for the first time, a definite syllabus of work was put into force. In the; opinion of those competent to juelge it is an excellent syllabus, and, provided it is interpreted, in the right spirit by all teachers, will be the means e>f laying such a sound and true foundation that pupils thoroughly taught along the lines laid down in it will be fully competent to tackle the work of a senior scheme which it is intended the; junior scheme will lead up to. Buildings. —Towards the end of the year a geioel start was made with the; erection of a new school at Arorangi. It is intended, to have two concrete buildings similar to those at Ngatangiia. The old stone building now used as a school will theo be; pulled down. As is usual in these islands, the' people of Arorangi are contributing a certain amount of; labour towards the neiw buildings. Staffs. —In April last Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Dane took charge of the school at Aitutaki, and have; created a very excellent impression by the way in which they have faced, their difficult task. Their school is now the largest, as far as numbers are concerned!, in the whole Group. Mr. Geoffrey Henry, who has had charge of the three schools at Mangaia, was, owing to health reasons, compelled to resign his position there. Northern Group. —During the visit of the Hon. Minister to Rarotonga he authorized, the payment of a subsidy to enable the children in those far-off islaneis to reap some of the benefits of education. The London Missionary Society's leade;rs will control the seven schools up there. The Administration will equip them on the understanding that when it is thought advisable it may take over the entire control of them. Pending the fruition of that idea, your officers are to have the; right of entry to all the schools for the purposes of inspection, examination, and instruction. Grading of While Teachers. —In October last an Inspector of the New Zealand Education Department, Mr. John Robertson, 8.A., visited the schools of Rarotemga for the purposes of graeling those; teachers who hold certificates under that Department. Both teachers and taught thoroughly enjoyed his stay ; the only fault to be found with it was that it was all toe) short. Training of Native Teachers. —A start was made to give tuition to these teachers. A class held e;ve;ry Saturelay morning met at Avarua, when the majority of those showed a great amount of interest in the; work of the class. Senior School. —At Avarua a senior e;lass of be>ys and girls was instructed every afternoon from 2 to 4, when some very good work was done.