The Native School at Papawai.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XVIII, Issue 1689, 23 March 1885, Page 2

The Native School at Papawai.

(by A VISITOR.) A number of the residents in t Tu'h valley have perhaps not even heard of the fact that such a valuable institution even exists as this Native School. The little village of Papawm. peopled mostly by the aboriginal rare, is specially favored by a native school, neat and tidy, and also having the privilege of being conducted by a really able teacher. On pay* ing a visit to the school on Thursday, and viewing things as a stranger is apt to do, with an eye strictly unbiased and impartial, I found to my surprise a school provided by the educational department that would vie favourably with many schools in country places, both for discipline and neatness. At my request, Mr Curtis, the master, allowed me to inspect the writing in the copy books of the Native scholars, and I was very favorably impressed with the style of caligraphy of the young Maori, especially that of the boys. The capital letters were in some cases very prettily formed, and the small letters displayed an excellent idea of style and uniformity. The books were also very clean and tidy ; thus showing that clean hands and carefulness, combined with_ a commendable spirit of emulation, were some of the primary lessons inculcated in this particular establishment. The other branches of education appeared to bo in an equally satisfactory condition. Mrs Curtis, the schoolmaster’s wife, who speaks the Maori language fluently, attends the school at regular

periods for the purpose of giving instructions in sewing, and 1 am told some of the youthful female natives are very expert with their needle, and arc very eager to improve, having also an unbounded confidence in, and affection for their amiable instructress. Mrs Curtis, I may say, from my own observation, is a person most special!} adapted to win the regard and affection of the natives, which 1 behove both herself and husband enjoy, to an almost unlimited extent. 1 have seen some excellent testimonials in favor of Mrs and Mr Curtis, presented _ when leaving their last sphere of action, a native district called Abaura, on the West Coast of the other Island, in which both the Press and the native inhabitants, concur in the deep expressions of esteem in which this lady and gentlemen wore hold by the natives of that district, and the general deep regret at their departure, combined with some exceptionally favorable notices in the New Zealand Church Times by Archdeacon Harper. Considering all these matters, I am satisfied that Papawai has great reason for self-congratulation at having secured the services of Mr Curtis and his wife, and 1 should recommend those having children living in this district, both Native and European, to improve the opportunity, by sending their children regulaily to school, and thus profit by the undoubtedly exceptional circumstance. I may remark that I was sorry to find that the European settlers do not send their children to the local school so regularly as they might. This is to be regretted.