THE WESLEYAN MAORI INSTITUTION, AUCKLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 664, 20 August 1864, Page 1

THE WESLEYAN MAORI INSTITUTION, AUCKLAND.

THE THREE K[NGB INSTITUTION.

Amongst the many educational establishments set on foot in this Province, for the i mental and: moral improvement of the young children of the aboriginal race of Ais colony, the. Three Kings Wesleyan -Native Institution deserves particular mention, as being the longest employed for this purpose, and attended by the greatest number of scholars. Few residents, for any length of tirade, .in the city or neighbourhood can have failed to have heard of the existence of the Three Kings Institution, and may have a faint idea how the educational arrangement is carried on ; but

must be followed for about a mile and a half. The entrance to the grounds is obtained by a gate opening on to the road, and the visitor finds himself quickly in front of the farm house, where Mr Hodgson, who has charge of the farm, resides. From the slight rise on which this buildiner stands, the chapel, school- house, and other buildings are seen nestling in the valley at the foot of one of the three hills, and which must effectually shelter them from the bleak winds from the north. To the south all is open, and a pretty landscape lies spread out before one. The institution came into existence twenty years ago. In 1844, the Rev. T. Buddie, who came here for the purpose, first commenced the system ot native teaching on the Grafton Road. There

ing intended as a cliapel and schoolhouse, with dwelling-houses near. The dwelling-houses were one-storied, and ran parallel ; the chapel bein# placed transversely at the northern end. About the year 1850 the buildings were completed, and the removal then took place, about 100 natives removing to the spot. The Rev. A. Reid was in charge, assisted by a number of the nati>e teachers, amongst whom were William Barton, now a native minister, and Samuel, a native missionary, who now resides at Whatawhata. The son and daughter of William Barton have followed in the steps of their father, and are now teaching English in a school at Karakariki with such success as to induce Mr Taylor, inspector of native schools, thus to report in his statement for September,

as visits to the school do not aDpear to be of everyday occurrence, the object of the present article is designed to afford some insight into the working of it. The institution is distant from Auckland about five miles, and is situated near, ns well ns shelteved by, the three conicalshaped and lofty hills which give the name to the locality. A summer afternoon's stroll as far as these elevated landmarks is often indulged in by Auckland's citizens, for the purpose of enjoying the magnificent \iew which they afford of the country around for miles distant. Both the harbors of the Waitemata and Manukau are plainly seen from the hill-tops, and ships can be noticed entering both waters at the same time. The country around presents the most pleasant and diversified aspect. The most direct route to the institution is by the Onehunga road as tar as Kelly's public-house, when the road to the right

were twenty native teachers engaged, the leading idea being to raise teachers at the school who would be able to instruct their brethren in the English language. In the year 1345, Governor Fitzro} 1 " made a grant of land in support of the institution of 192 acres, 3 roods, 12 perches, at tha Three Kings. The terms of the deed show that it was given "in trust for the general purposes of the aforesaid Wesleyan Native Instituthn, to hold unto the said Walter Lawry, Superintendent of the Wesieyan Mission, and his successors for ever." This land, or a portion of it, was put under cultivation, for the support of the scholars and teachers, then living at the school on the Graftonroad. Subsequently, however, a removal to the Three Kings was determined upon, and building opera'ions were commenced. His Excellency Sir George Grey la ; d the foundation stone in 1848 of a scoria build- 1

1862— "The native teachers of the Karakanki school, on the Waipa (Andrew and Martha Barton) deserve my praise, and the favourable consideration pf Government, for their exemplary conduct, and for their untiring and really valuable services in the work of education." In the Pame year that the removal to the IhreeKingshad been carried into effect Governor Grey supplemented the gift of Governor Fitzroy by a grant of twenty acres near to the land already held ia trust. In the deed of conveyance of this land the European element ia first introducer!. The deed states that the land is given in support of " the education of our subjects of both races, and of children of poor and destitute persons being inhabitants of the islands of the Pacific Ocean; in trust, nevertheless, and for the use or towanls the support and maintenance of the said school so long as religious education, industrial training and instruction in the English language shall be given to those educated therein or maintained thereat." Other grants of land made on similar terms to the institution have placed it in possession of about 600 acres. This "includes a place called Waikowai, on the Manukau, deserted by the natives. The soil at the latter place is not considered very good but firewood can be obtained on the spot, and the Maoris connected with the institution have chosen the place near a fishing ground, and by this means succeed occasionally in procuring an sgreeable change of food. Fiom 1850 the' school was worked successfully, the aium ber of scholars vas found to be increasing, the old *chool room became too small, and the present one was then built, followed by the •other structures ■on the ground. The chapel or •school room is •erected near the •old building. It is of wood, with «coria foundation, fooasts of two -porches, and is mot without architectural beauty — though the attentions of the carpenter and painter appear to be somewhat' requisite. Its dimeneions are about 36 ieet wide, by 60 feet long. There are eight windows, which afford ample light for the uses for which

the building is designed. Internally the building is fitted up with desks; maps are hun^ around the walls, and a blackboard . stands conspicuously on the platform at the end of the room, ready for use in the demonstration of any knotty problem to the scholars. The dining rooms and dormitories arc about 100 yards distant, and are large structures. The principal building ia occupied solely by the boys. The lower part ia used as a dining room, and the upper as the dormitory. There are two wings to the main building, which are formed into two houses. The one on the left contains four rooms, three of which are occupied by a Maori woman, the wife of a militiaman named Ormsby, who is now doing duty somewhere about Maungatawhiri. Her half caste children attend the school, but the husband pays

something to the institution for his wife's support. Other two families, it is stated, have been housed there, whilst they were refugees on the outbreak of the war ; but they are now gone away. The remaining room in this building is occupied as a hospital. The opposite wing contains four rooms ; the lower portion of the building being occupied by Miss Johnson, the assistant matron ; and the upper room serves for the girls' dormitory. The building occupied by Mr Collis, principal of the institution, and Mrs Collis, matron, comes next in order. There are eight rooms in this structure ; one of them being used for sleeping purposes by some pf the English boys attending the school. This house was built by the Maoris connected with the institution, under the superintendence oi Mr Boon. Mr Boon was employed to teach the Maoris carpentry, and the erection of _ the manager's house wa3 a good means of affording them an insight into the arts and mysteries of the trade. The schoolroom was likewise built by him. Several Maoris during their stay at the institution have become very good carpenters. One of these may be mentioned, John Egglesson, who went down to Mokau and laboured there for some years as a missionary — until his death. The old school house and dwelling-place are now used as a carpenter's shop and stores for harness, potatoes, and other farm stock. At tha present time the number of inmates of the institution is 41, including the monitor Mokaraka (who has been on the spot three or four years, and assists Mr Collis in teaching), and Mrs Ormsby, before mentioned; but previous to the war breaking out in the Province, the attendance was very much larger. In the year 1857 there were 81 scholars attending the institution, which was then conducted by the Rev. A. Reid, paid by the Wesleyan Mission, and Mr. Mundy and Miss M'lntosh, salaried teachers. The pupils consisted of 36 male Maoris, 18 females, 12 male halfcastes, 14 females; 1 female, English. From the Wesleyan Mission there was received towards expenses Ll5O, and from the Colonial Government L 1060; from parents, L 147 7s Id ; and from farm produce, LlB3 4s; making a total of £1534 11s Id. The average cost of pupils per head per annum to the Colonial Government was Ll 3 Isß^d; and to the board of trustees managing the institution, Lls 17s 2sd. The cost of agricultural operations was LlO2 15s 2d, and the expenditure for building, repairs, &c, Ll 17 2s 6d. It must be remarked, however, that the sum total as given included a balance from the year 1856, amounting to L2S7 15s lOfd. In the year 1861 there were 72 persons on the books, chiefly from the Waikato and Hokianga districts. Two of the pupils were English orphans, supported by the Ladies' Benevolent Society. The daily average attendance at the school during the year 1864 was 60 ; and prior to the breaking out of the war then it was difficult to meet the applications for admittance into the school. When the war bad commenced the greater number of scholars were taken away, and scarcely any but very young children left. In 18G2, Mr Hugh Carleton, who had been appointed to inspect certain schools in the province of Auckland, reported that the number of scholars on the books was 27, but four arrivals were expected on the following day. There were present on the day of inspection 20. The institution was inspected by Mr Taylor ou the 11th February, 1863, and he then reported 39 scholars on the register. The pupils on examination appeared to disadvantage, their intellectual attainments being decidedly below par. The number of the present inmates is made up as follows : — 6 Maoris, ages varying from 13 to 25 years ; 10 Half- castes, age d irom 6t015 ye rs ; ~17 Europeans, aged from sto 13 years. It is probable, however, that this number may be augmented, as the Rev Mr Buddie has applied to Government to have the Maori boys at present detained prisoners on the hulk placed in the institution. There are said to be about eighteen lads on board the hulk, who would be much better cared for at the institution and receive more instruction than it will be possible for them to obtain where they are. For educating, clothing, and boarding each of the Maoris and half-castes, the Colonial Government pays to the institution the sum of L 10;1 0; and the Provincial Government pay the same fee for the Europeans. This sum is found insufficient, and has to be supplemented by funds derived from the estate. Mr Collis is the manager of the school, Mrs COIU3 matron, and Miss Johnson the assistant matron. The pupils rise in the winter season about six o'clock, and are expected to have perforjmed their, ablutions and appear dressed at a quarter to seven o'clock, when prayer is held. At 8 o'clock they have breakfast, and at 9 the bell summons them to school, which lasts until 12 o'clock. Dinner is then ready, and the pupils are afterwards employed in some kind of work on the farm, according to their strength, and

ability. Should weather permit some are engaged tending the cows, others looking after sheep, and in sundry other ways attempting to make themselves useful. In the evening, another school is held for reading and family worship ; and this takes place in the dining-room in winter, but in the school-room in summer, when the exercised are a little more varied. The proceedings in school are opened with prayer, followed by. a Scripture lesson ; then follows reading, writing, spelling, and arithmetic. Twice a week the pupils are exercisee in- geography. Mr Collis thus speaks of their attainments: — "Reading. — Ten of the pupils can read pretty well ; ten or twelve more can read indifferently only. Writing.~ln writing some of the pupils are very tolerable, but the greater number are indifferent. Spelling. — In this branch they have not made very great proficiency. There are some can spell pretty well, but the majority are poor spellers. Arithmetic. — Four of the pupils are in the compound* rules ; ten or twelve are able to do division ; few are doing multiplication ; there are about six in subtraction ; and the rest are in addition, with the exception of some of the little ones who have not yet commenced. Geography.— ln this branch they have not made any very great progress." It is to be noticed tbat a great number of the pupils have not been at the institution j very long. A great many of the halfcastes fled there aa refugees at the outbreak of the war. The greater proportion of Maoris living at the school at that time took their departure, an I their places were supplied by the half-castes who i came in. The Europeans have not been 'at the institution over three months. On Sunday morning and evening the Maoris have a separate service ; and the English children are placed under the care of the assistant matron, who holds a Scripture class. There is divine service held in the chapel, at which some of the settlers around occasionally attend. The children also attend chapel. The officiating clergymen are supplied from Auckland. Two boys are appointed each week to act as cooks, and this naturally leads to the question, how are they fed ? On Sundays the pupils are supplied at breakfast with bread and tea, with a good supply of milk, obtained from the cows on the farm. For dinner they have potatoes, with beef and soup; and tea is a repetition of breakfast. On week days, the breakfast and snppers are of rice and milk : dinner all the week round as on Sunday. Sometimes the Maoris to effect a change in their diet catch fish; and an occasional supply of pork is obtained for alike purpose. The general health of the scholars at the present time is good. For the last three months a great deatl of sickness has prevailed, but some of the sick have now either quite recovered or are convalescent. Low fever was the prevailing ailment, and which, singularly enough, was confined exclusively to the half-castes. The Maoris have not suffered from any illness more 3erious than coughs, nor the Europeans of anything more than colds. None of them have been compelled to absent themselves from school. Dr. Weekes, of Onehunga, is the present medical attendant at the institution.

The estate connected with the institution is laige and remuneratively worked. A considerable portion of the land which has been reclaimed has been laid down in grass, and now carries about 200 sheep, 16 cows, and other store stock. The dairy is principally kept for the supply of the institution ; but a quantity of butter is taken to market weekly. Potatoes have likewise been grown upon the ground for the use of the school, and wheat has been tried, but unavailingly. The profits on the farm last year, after paying all expenses amounted to LIOI. The school and estate are vested in the hands of the following trustees, who are styled the Native Educational Board : — The Revs. J. Whiteley, J. Wallis, J. Warren, G. Stannard, A. Reid, C. H. Schnackenberg, and Messrs Arthur, Mears, Stone, Prime, Heron, and Williamson. The meetings of the Board are held quarterly, when returns are sent in to Government, and at the end of the year a general statement a3 to the condition of the school. The Government payments in support are made quarterly.

" Old Brains."— A New York paper made an amusing typographical error in its publication of General Halleck's report of war operations. The General, who enjoys the sobriquet of " old Brains," wrote in deprecation of the immense cost of army transportation, and made out a case for himseli by saying that " our trains have been materially reduced during the year." Imagine his disgust when he found the boast printed <r our brains have been materially reduced \"

An Irishman's Description of America. — An Irishman, in describing America, said, " I am told tbat you might roll England thru it, an' it wouldn't make a dint in the ground; there's fresh-water oceans inside that ye might droun Ould Ireland in ; and as for Scotland, ye mi^ht stick it ia a corner, and ye'd niver be able to find it out, except it might be by the smell o' whisky."