NATIVE. SCHOOL—OTAGO HEADS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3923, 12 September 1874, Page 2

NATIVE. SCHOOL—OTAGO HEADS.

We extract the following from the Inspector's Report, which was laid befor Parliament at the recent session :

The Ofcggo Heads School was formally opened m the month of March, 1869, by a. Mr Oldfield, who conducted it for about fotr months, and then resigned, and was succeeded, after a lapse of four months by Mr Henry Leask, who continued in this position, till the end of 1871, when he was succeeded by the present master, Mr Walker on the Ist January, 1872. The school and master's house stand on land set apart by the Natives as a church reserve. Part of the building now used for school purposes was built a? the expense of the Natives, and lias sin«© been enlarged by the Government, who also contributed £286 for the master's house The school building is not particularly well adapted for the purpose, the plan having been badly devised; but numerous alterations and additions to school and house arc recommended, which will add much to the comfort of both. ■■■--■

. Th. c School was inspected on the 28tfc April. The number of pupils on the roll is 25—viz,, 19 males and 6 females. Of these 14 were present on the occasion, and 11 were absent with their parents, on a visit to some of the northern settlements. The love of wandering about, inherent in the Maorimilitates very much against the progress of the children, and in this instance was the means of preventing six of the best scholars being present, much to the annoyance of the master, who naturally would have preferred the School to make as good a display as possible. The School is conducted as closely as possible on the system of education in use in the Province, and the hours of instructions, are from 9 a.m. till noon, and from 1 nm. tIU f.P m: T he master kw 'every requisite qualification for his office, and is devoted and indefatigable in his endeavours to im> prove the minds of his pupils.

The children, considering the short time they have teen under the present master have made remarkable progress in readmewriting, arithmetic, and knowledge of the English language. Almost all are acquainted with the first four rules of arithmetic,.and some can do all the compound rules. One c£ the pupils in the first class had advanced as far as Practice, and another to Simple ProportioH. Notwithstanding that the progress of the Natives in learning the English language is necessarily slow, all the pupils can read and pronounce very fairly, , besides having a good knowledge of the etymolosy and syntax of Grammar. Their spelling-was also good—the children in the first and second classes especially so. Their knowledge' in this branch was not restricted to words, but extended to words of several syllables, and to words of the same sonnd with their meanings. The children in the hrst and second classes displayed a good knowledge of physical geography and English history, their answers being apt and correct, especially those in the first class. -Nearly all the pupils presented very creditable specimens of writing, both on slates and m copy-books, and some were especially: good. Some neat specimens of mappinz were also exhibited by some of the pupils? Music and singing are also amongst the branches of education taught the children. The children appeared to be docile and generally obedient. Their attendance is not quit© so r.gular as could be wished, but there are many causes which operate against it—the distance that some have to travel, andfihe heedlessness in some instances manifested by the parents. The average daily attendance, for the year ended 30th June, 1873, was 17 viz., 12 males and 5 females. *

«tTm c are tat"gat sewing by BW Walker, who receives a salary.:of £20 per annum for the duty. Five of the girls exhibited specimens of sewing and fancy work, all well and neatly done. They can all S plain; sewing, and some make their owm clothing. ■ ■'•':'•

The progress attained "by the pupils in all stages of proficiency in the school reflects the highest credit upon their teachers, and shows what might be effected in other places if the Natives would only co-operate, and equally good teachers were ; forthcoming. Summary of the various branches of education taught in the school, and the class®, cation of the scholars :—

Ist Class, eight scholars.—Beading (progressive lessons), spelling (words of three and four syllables, words of same sound, derivation of words), mental arithmetic, aritnmetical tables, grammar an d syntax), physical geography, < English history, writing, arithmetic (compound addition, subtraction, multiplication, division). In this class one boy had advanced as far as practice and one girl to simple proportion. Six were absent at inspection. ' -

2nd Class, four scholars.— Readme, Sffii Book (Scottish), spelling (words of tnrec syllables, words of - same sound, derivafioa of words), mental arithmetic, arithmetical tables, grammar (etymology and syntax* arithmetic (simple division), physical ge<£ grapby, English history;^writing. In the 2nd Class one pupil had advanced to compound division. The pupils In ifae Ist and 2nd Classes are learning music."

3rd Clasa, five scholars.-^-ResdingStfa. Book Scottish), spelling (words of two and three syllables), arithmetical-tables, arithmetic (simple multiplication and division), writing^. 4th Class, four scholars.—Reading'fwor^"*! of two syllables (4th Book), : (mailing {&£ arithmetical subtraction, arithmetical tables, writing.- ■-'■■ ■"'■'■'■■ ■-.-■■.' •:■.■.-■: ..■■-.-.■; ..-.-■;,:*

oth Class, four scholars.—Reading ttsfc Book), spelling (words of 1 syllable). Pupils absent from Ist Class, 6 ; fKwP" 2nd Class, I; from 3rd Class, 1 ; from ■«!* Class, 1 ; from sth Class, 2. '■>>■■ -