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10. Arithmetic. Teachers in the upper classes have been advised to draw up schemes in arithmetic, simplifying the commercial course and giving more prominence to agricultural and domestic arithmetic. Those teachers, who did endeavour to devise a scheme of work more suited to the needs of the Maori pupils, found that the success of their pupils was by no means jeopardized, as the interest of the scholars in this practical arithmetic made it far more effective. Essential arithmetical habits, the basis of all number work, are stressed, as is the importance of economizing time and effort in mechanical work. Speed tests and drills could be used more frequently. In tlie primer classes there is a tendency to break way too soon from the concrete in order to obtain proficiency in symbols. 11. Secondary Education. On 2nd, 3rd, and 4th September, 1936, a very representative conference was convened by the Right Hon. Mr. Savage, Prime Minister, to discuss post-primary education and the health and economic position of the Maori race. The Minister of Education, Hon. P. Fraser, was in the chair, and the delegates included the Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata, M.P. ; Mr. Tau Henare, M.P. ; Mr. E. T. Tirikatene, M.P. ; Mr. H. T. Ratana, M.P. ; the Hon. Mr. Rangi Mawhete, Member of the Legislative Council ; Mr. N. T. Lambourne, Director of Education ; Dr. M. H. Watt, Director-General of Health ; Mr. 0. N. Campbell, Under-Secretary of Native Affairs ; and officials from the Health, Education, and Native Departments, nominated members of Maori Post-Primary Denominational School Boards, head teachers, and representatives, both Maori and European, from all associations interested in Maori welfare. In regard to Maori post-primary education, the conference submitted a number of recommendations to the Hon. Minister of Education. As a direct result of these recommendations the Hon. Minister approved of the following considerable increase in the number and value of scholarships available to Maori boys and girls : Junior Scholarships were increased in number from 136 to 174, other than Native Village Scholarships from 16 to 30, Agricultural Scholarships from 4 to 10, and provision was made for 10 Nursing Scholarships and for 35 Continuation Scholarships, which provide a third and fourth year's post-primary education. The value of all scholarships was increased from £31 10s. per annum to £35 per annum. In addition, the number of University scholarships was increased from two to three annually. Other recommendations of the conference dealt with the administration of Native schools, the Maori language, the curriculum of denominational post-primary schools, and adult Maori education. In regard to each of the above matters action has been taken with a view to giving effect to the recommendations. As a result of this important conference it is hoped that the curriculum of the denominational post-primary schools will be broadened and related to the needs of the Maori, people and that stress will be laid on technical, agricultural, and domestic courses. In all these schools both staffing and equipment should be on a more generous scale. 12. Scholarships. In 1936, 135 Junior Scholarships were held by pupils attending boarding-schools. There were also held four Agricultural Scholarships, one Nursing Scholarship, and five University Scholarships. The Junior Te Makarini Scholarship was won by Wiremu Ruka and the Senior Te Makarini Scholarship by Johnny Kaua. This year no Buller Scholarship was awarded. 13. Maori Mission Schools. Twelve mission schools for Native children, controlled and administered by denominational authorities, were all visited by your Inspectors. The reports indicated that in each case the conditions necessary for registration were satisfied. Six hundred and thirty-eight children were enrolled at these mission schools. 14. Attendance. At the end of 1936, 140 Native schools were administered and maintained by the Education Department. The total roll number was 9,175 (7,876 in 1935) and the average attendance was 8,140 (7,098 in 1935). The average weekly roll number was 9,041, the percentage of regularity being 90. Of the 9,175 children enrolled at 31st December, 1936, 7,249 children were Maori, speaking the Maori language at home, and 781 Maori children speaking English in the home. The remainder (1,145) were European children. The following table shows a steady increase in the attendance since 1912 : —

There were on the roll on the Ist July, 1936, 7,999 Maori children (6,898 in 1935) and 1,099 European children (954 in 1935), making a total roll number at that date of 9,098 (7,852 in 1935).

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Y«. I MSl "| | 1912 .. .. .. .. 4,694 4,042 ■ 4,644 1917 .. .. .. 5,173 4,507 5,191 1922 .. .. .. .. 6,161 5,436 6.119 1927 .. .. .. .. 6,620 5,816 i 6,655 1932 .. .. .. .. 7,313 6,848 ! 7,524 1934 .. .. .. .. 7,587 6,799 7,523 1935 .. .. .. •• 7,876 7,098 7,816 1936 .. .. .. 9,175 8,140 ! 9,041