7

E.—3

Another Maori student, who is assisted by the Native Department, is also taking law at Canterbury College. Two additional scholarships in law are to be awarded during the current year. In addition to the foregoing scholarships two dental bursaries are held at Otago University by Maori students. The efforts thus made by the Government to provide higher education for the Maori represents a very considerable expenditure. It may be mentioned here that the provision of additional scholarships from another source is contemplated, as under the Native " washing-up " Act passed during the last session of Parliament a very large sum of money was allocated from accumulated Native moneys for the education of Maoris, ethnological research, and other purposes for the welfare of the Natives. A Board to be known as the " Maori Purposes Fund Control Board " has been set up to administer the fund, and it is observed that the founding of scholarships and exhibitions for Natives and the payment of such allowances as may be deemed expedient in connection therewith constitute one of the purposes of the fund. In addition to the scholarships outlined above there are scholarships provided from private bequests—viz., Te Makarini Scholarships and the Buller Scholarship. Te Makarini Scholarships.—These scholarships were established many years ago for the benefit of Maori scholars, and are provided from a private bequest which was set apart for the purpose and in memory of the late Sir Donald McLean, who for some years held the position of Native Minister in the Government. The fund is administered by trustees, and the examination is conducted by the Department. The scholarships are of the annual value of £35 and are tenable for two years, the successful candidates being required to attend Te Aute College. The candidates are subjected to a competitive examination in English, arithmetic, geography, Maori, and general knowledge (New Zealand history, health, and religious knowledge). For the year 1924 three scholarships, one senior and two junior, were offered for competition, one junior scholarship being reserved for candidates from Native village schools. For the senior examination there were sixteen candidates —eleven from Te Aute College, four from St. Stephen's School, and one from Whangape Native School. For the junior examination there were fourteen candidates —five from Whakarewarewa Native School, four from Wharekahika Native School, one from Parawera Native School, two from Te Aute College, and two from St. Stephen's School. In the senior examination the highest marks were gained by Charles Covell, St. Stephen's School, with 71 per cent, of the possible marks. In the junior examination the highest marks were gained bv Christian Lima, of Te Aute College, 66-7 per cent., and Hironi Wikiriwhi, of Whakarewarewa Native School, 60-5 per cent., and the scholarships were awarded to the boys named. Buller Scholarship.- This scholarship was established in memory of the late Sir Walter Buller from a bequest made by him in the interest of Maori education. The scholarship, which is of the annual value of £30 and is tenable at Te Aute College, is reserved for competition amongst lads who are predominantly Maori in race. The Department also conducts this examination, the papers set being of a more difficult standard than that of those set for the Senior Te Makarini Examination. The syllabus of work for the examination includes the following subjects : English (including civics and New Zealand history), arithmetic, Maori, agriculture, and an optional subject' —woodwork or elementary mathematics. The candidates are also examined in religious knowledge by the Waiapu Diocesan authorities. The examination was held early in December, and there were fourteen candidates —ten from Te Aute College and four from St. Stephen's School. The successful candidate was Selwyn te Paa, of Te Aute College, who gained 69 per cent, of the possible marks. Although the scholarship is nominally tenable for one year only, the trustees find it possible now to extend the tenure to two years. The Te Makarini and the Buller Scholarships serve a very useful purpose in enabling the brighter lads to remain at Te Aute College sufficiently long to qualify for the, Public Service Entrance Examination, and even the Matriculation Examination. Concluding Remarks. During the past year the village schools have been particularly free from interruptions of any sort, and as a result a very successful year's work has been accomplished. The number of children in attendance at the end of the year constituted a record for the schools, and it is worthy of remark that the number of Maori children under instruction in all classes of schools, including public schools, is slightly over thirteen thousand. This review of the work of Native schools would be incomplete without a reference to the zeal and enthusiasm of the teachers generally in the carrying-out of their duties, and to the interest they display in the welfare of the children under their charge and in the Maori people generally. In the work connected with the examination and inspection of the village schools, the mission schools, and the boarding-schools I have to acknowledge the assistance rendered by Mr. Henderson. Inspector of Native Schools. Jno. Porteous, Senior Inspector of Native Schools.