FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT Of THE WANGANUI SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 192, 24 May 1860, Page 4

FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT Of THE WANGANUI SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

To the Members of the Association ; Gentlemen, —We, the undernamed Committee for the management of the Wanganui Common School, elected for one year at a meeting of the Association, held on the 13th May, 1859, before vacating office, beg to submit ftr your consideration the following statement of the affairs of the School. The amount of funds at the disposal of the Committee on the 13th May, 1859, was a balance of .£47 10s. Bd., which, with the subscriptions, .-£lB. Tls,; School fees, £97 14s. ' Bd.; proceeds of School Ball, ,£ll. 4s. 9d.; and £; 0 received from Government on account —:of -Grant in aid,” make a,total of £22515. Id., Receipts. YAgaiust which is the following Expenditure for the year ended 31st March, 1860, — namely, Teachers’ salaries, ,£2OB 17s. 3§d.; fuel, .£2. 135. ; new school desk and stationeiy, £3 Os. 3d.; incidental expenses,: £4. 35.; leaving a balance in hand of £6. 7s. 6£d. Ifrora which the Association will .see, that the Committee were not in a position to carry out the suggested improvements of former Committees, the chief of which was, the building of a teacher’s dwelling house on the school premises, which is now even more necessary — in fact, almost indispensable ; the Committee having been compelled to discontinue the allowance to the teacher for house rent. The Committee are still of opinion, that the residence of the teacher on the school ground would greatly promote the efficiency of the institution, and after the first expense of building, would greatly assist the Committee in. their financial arrangements. The £SO advanced was received on acconnt . of the claim of the Committee for <£ls2 ss. 6d., .due .by Government up to 31st March, which •■leaves a balance still due of £lO2 ss. 6d., the treasurer of the Association being instructed at the same time to state to the Government, that it had then been fifteen months since any contributions from “ Grants in aid” towards the teachers’ salaries were received, that the funds were much in arrear, for which the Committee were liable; and that having carried on the school on the faith of receiving the contributions a 3 heretofore, the Committee •were anxious J:o know why such had been stopped, and what were the views of the Government for the future, as the Committee were not inclined to incur any responsibilityin the matter, and expecting that the Government would pay as usual, at least until notice was given that “ Grants in aid ” to Common Schools were to be discontinued. To this no official answer has yet been received ;• in the alsmce of which the Committee regret their inability to report definitely on the subject.

The number of children regularly attending the school at present, May 9th, 1860, is 69, classified asiollows,- —namely, in junior classes learning to read, 29 ; in senior classes, read-ing-with ease, 40 ; writing and arithmetic, 40; English grammar, geography, and history, 30.

Classification according to age—boys between's and 7 years, 16 ; between 7 and 10 years, 39 ; above 10 years, 14 ; total, 69.

The Committee held an Examination of the School on. the 23rd of December, 1859,! at which a very respectable number of the parents of the children, and others interested, attended. The examination was well conducted by the teachers, assisted by several gentlemen present. The pupils, generally speaking, acquitted themselves very creditably, and all showed a marked improvement. Prizes were awarded to the most deserving, several of the ■most-attractive of which were contributed for the occasion by a friend. The others were purchased by private subscription; specially got up for the purpose, as was also the after regale to the children.

The Committee cannot conclude this Report without drawing the attention of the public in general, and parents and guardians of children in particular, to the great benefit this institution is calculated to confer on the settlement, and while its operations are already felt, there is still great room for further improvement; and while it is based on such liberal principles that all may join in giving it their best support, still it is apparent that such an institution requires considerable attention from the public, in order that its usefulness may be fully extended and developed., And although a liberal •amount of Government aid has been received hitherto, still there is no guarantee that it will be continued for any length of time. The sooner, therefore, it can be rendered self-sup-porting, the sooner will the public have the gratification of having reared a permanent establishment indispensable to the requirements of any community.—We are, Gentlenn n, : Your obdt. servants; Daniel Richardson, Chairman. William Hogg Watt, Treasurer. Thomas Flannary, Secretary. Joseph A. Burnett. David Bell. Thomas Me William. H. Ross.

LETTER OF THE GOVERNOR TO THE NATIVES OF THE PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON.

[We have been asked to publish the following Letter (of which copies have been already pretty widely circulated among the natives), in order that it may obtain greater publicity. Readers of the Chronicle who come in contact with natives would do well to show it them.] Auckland, April 25,1860.

Friends —the Native Chiefs of Port Nicholson, of Wairarapa, and of those other places at that end of our island. 1 salute you. Friends! I have heard the reports which say that you are anxiously inquiring as to my intentions with respect to the native tribes; some saying that at the present time my views as to the native people have undergone an entire alteration. Fiieuds, listen not to lying (cr mistaken) words, so readily uttered by the lips, I have no new plan of government — that which I have adopted from the beginning I hold fast still.

1 have heard of three mistaken reports, but which you must not credit. First, it is said that I intend to put down the Native chiefs. r This is an error. Secondly, it is said, that I intend to- take forcible possession of the Amative lands. 2 his is a lie. .

Thirdly, it is said, that my design is to exterminate the Native race. This is a malicious falsehood.

Friends, give no attention to such deceiving reports. I am not good to destroy the inflnence of the Chiefs, for they are my companions (boa) in upholding the law to lightly guiding their several tribes.

I am not good to take improper possession of the land of any man, but rather to protect all men in the possession of their own lands. I shall acquire no land but what is properly alienated by its owner—when a right purchase is made by a willing people, then only shall I stretch forth my hand.

I am by no means good to destroy the Native people. What I desire is, to advance their interests, to make them sit quietly, and to press down all riotous and evil influences. It is my endeavour to fulfil the command oi the Queen, that the inhabitants of this island, whether Maori or Pakeha, may be well brought up as one people, and that the same kindness and protection be shown as well to the red man as to the white.

Do not be anxions as to ray work at Taranaki. Jfilliam King is a single individual. Let his quarrel remain with himself; it was of his own seeking, and not mine. When I went to Taranaki, I hail no thoughts of fighting. It was he who interfered with the lands of other people, and then turned round upon me and fought. Nevertheless, our quarrel is between our two selves, and the bad conduct of William King will not be resented upon other persons. Let him cease his unlawful interference, and my ■'work is done. Do not be anxious as to my doings with the murderous tribes of Taranaki and Ngatiruanui. Their crime is their own, and not that of another people; as also their punishment, it will be inflicted upon them and not upon others. As for yourselves, remain quietly in a state of peace. Let the insurrection be confined to the locality where it has sprung up. Give your attention to such works as will secure you a maintenance, and no eyii will approach you. On the other hand, if you seek for evil you will find it, but it is better to desire and obtain good. You Chiefs, who are my friends, let your minds be enlightened. I will hide nothing from you. To promote good and to put down evil is my only design ; and this tvork belongs to us all. I have uo new intentions ; my promises to you, and your engagements to me, still remain; they will not be forgotten, nor will my proceedings be altered. I If you cannot understand any of my plans, (make your inquiries direct to me. This especially is a good thing, that my thoughts should be confessed to you, and your thoughts laid open to me. There are many reports which reach me concerning you, but who will credit a mere report ? My plan is to deny it, until authenticated by some truth-telling chief, and then I say, “Yes, it is correct” Now, you adopt the same plan. If you hear any loose report, that I am deceiving or entrapping you, come and inquire of me, or go to some person whom you know to be truthful and inquire of him. If you do this, you will clearly see that a

Governor from the Queen cannot speak falsely, nor will deceive any one. Friends, continue to sit in peace, and in remembrance of our former engagements.

From your father, The Governor

l Akarana, Aperira 25, 1860 Ehoama, .

E nga Ragatira il/aori o Poneke o Wairarapa o era atu wahi o tena pito o to tatou Motu. Tena ra koutou.

E lioa ma, Tenei ahau kua rotigo i te korero e inea ana.kei, te rapurapu koutou ki aku tikanga mo,nga Iwi Maori. Ko etalii a mea ana, kua pnta ke oku whakuaro ki nga tangata Maori i roto i tenei takiwa. E aku lioa. kei whakarongo koutou kite kupu horihqsLonea lianga na te ngutu o te tangata. ~ Kajtore . aku ritenga hou: ko aku tikanga and'' 'timatanga ra mo, teuei te ptiritia tonutik iiei. Etoru nga kupu horihori kua rango'na e ahau, mjkei wakaponohia e koutou. Ko te tuatahi: e kiia ana, He peki taku i nga Rangatira Maori. He kupu horihori tenei.

Ko te tuarua: t kiia ana, He tango maori taku i nga whenua o nga tangata Maori. He horihori kau tenei kupu. Ko te tuatoru: e kiia ana, He buna taku i nga tangata Maori. He teka marire tenei kupu. E aku hoa, kei whakarongo koutou ki enei korero wkakahe i a koutou.

Ekore au e pai kia pehia nga Rangatira Maori, ko oku lioa koki era hei hapai i.nga tikanga hei whakatupu i te pai ki o ratou iwi. Ekore au e pai kite tango maori i te whenua o tetahi tangata, engari, he tiaki taku i nga tangata katoa i runga i tona one ono i tona oneone. Heoi rawa te rironga i a au o tetahi whenua me tuku pai mai e te hunga nona, me koko tika e ahau kite iwi e pai auaki to koko, ka taki ka totoro taku ringa.

Ekore rawa au e pai kia huna nga tangata Maori. Ko taku c pai ai, he whakatupu i nga tangata, he whakaatanolio, he. pelii i nga whawhai i nga,kino. Ko taku tikanga tenei, he whakaritei te kupu o Te Kuini kia whakatupuria paitia nga tangata o teuei. motu, ahakoa Maori ahakoa Pakeha, hei iwi. kotahi — ; kia rite tonu te atawhai mete tiaki ite Kiri-whero i te Kiri-ma.

Kei rapurapu koutou ki taku znahi ki Taranaki. He tangata kotahi a Wiremu Xingi. Waiho atu tana i.a ia. Erangi, nana ano i kimi te he raona, ehara i a-au. Kahore oku whakaaro whawhai, i taku.haerenga ki Taranaki. Nana i rere ki runga ki te /whenua 6 tetahi atu tangata, muri.iho ka tahuri mai ki aau whawhai ai., Heoi, kei a maua ta niaua mea, ekore e utaina te he o Wiremu Kiugi ki runga ki tetahi *stu tangata. Kia mutu tana tohe pokanoa, ka mutu hoki taku mea.

Kei rapurapu .mai hoki ki taku mahi ki nga iwi kohuru, ki a Taranaki, raua ko Ngatiruanui. No raua to raua hara, kahore i tetahi atu iwi; waihoki ko te whiu ka whaxapangia ki a raua, kahore ki tetahi atu iwi. Ko teuei, e aku lioa, noho marire koutou i runga i te rangunarie. Waiho te he i tona wahi i whukutupuria ake ai. E abu te whakaaro ki nga mahi maori hei oranga mo'te tinana.. - Kahore he kino e tata ki a koutou. Engari, ma te' taiigata e rapu te kino, ka kitea ano e ia; engari te pai, me rapu e te tangata, a lie pai. ano ka kitea e ia.

E nga Rangatira, hoa okn nei, kia marama mai 'koutou. Ko aku tikanga ekore e huna ki a koutou. lie pai anakc taku e whai atu ,»ei; tetahi; e pehi ite kino. Na tatou . tahi tenei mahi- ..Kahore aku tikanga hou. Ko aku kupu ki a koutou, me a..,koutuU kupu mai ki a au, kei te mau tonu i ahau, ekore e mahue, ekore e pokaia houtia he tikanga maku. Ki te ngaro i a koutou etahi o aku tikanga, me ui mai ki a au ano. Ko te mea pai hoki tenei, ko aku wakaaro ka whakina ki a koutou, ko o koutou whakaaro hoki me whaki mui ki a au.

He rongo ano enei e tae mai ana ki a au mo koutou,. tena, ma wai te kupu haere uoa e wbakapono ? Ko taku, he wb&kahorihori, tetahi, ka ta e taku ui ki tetahi itaugatira Maori korero pono, mana te kupu, katahi au ka mea, Ae, he pouo. Na, me peua ano hoki te tikanga ma koutou. Ki te. rongo .koutou ' i tetahi kupu mea, kei te tiuihauga au, kei te whakatakoto ranei i tekiuo. mo koutou, na, me haere iuaiki a au maj.,’, me aim ranei ki, tetahi laugata nei e koutou lie tangata korero ui ki a ia. Ki te peratia ka tiuo mutauria e koutou,. ekore to Te Kuiui Kawana e korero teka, e tiuihauga ki tetahi tangata. .

Hei kona ra, e aku lioa, noho pai mai ai i runga i te raugimarie, i runga io tatou kupu takoto o tuu iho. Na to koutou matua, NA TE KAWANA. Ki a Kei