The Waka Maori. WELLINGTON, TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1876. MAORI SCHOOLS.

Waka Maori, Volume 12, Issue 2, 25 January 1876, Page 10

The Waka Maori. WELLINGTON, TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1876. MAORI SCHOOLS.

The following notices of Maori schools in the North are taken from the Daily Southern Cross of 27th December, 1875:-

Tanoa Day School, Otamatea, Kaipara. The first examination in connection with this school took place on the 14th December, prior to the break-ing-up for the Christmas holidays. Captain Symonds, R.M., of Kaipara, was expected to conduct the examination, but, owing to press of business, he could not be present. The duties of the day consequently devolved on the resident minister, Mr. Gittos, who, conjointly with the teacher, Mr. Haszard, applied the various tests necessary to show the progress made by the Maori children in the various branches of English education during the year. Mr. Haszard, like all those engaged in Maori schools, has the arduous task of first teaching a language before he can impart ideas, many of which are foreign to the Maori mind; but we confess that our most sanguine expectations have been more than realized. After giving sufficient time for parents and friends and English visitors to arrive, the children were assembled to lunch, when a

plentiful supply of buns and ginger-beer was handed round, and evidently appreciated. At 12 noon the examination commenced by the young people taking their places in the school-room in proper order, about fifty in number, varying from four to eighteen years of age. The general appearance and dress of the children was very creditable* and all were bright and happy. The prizes provided by the Government caused considerable excitement, though we may remark that they were sent at a late period of the year, and consequently were not the only stimulus to exertion. The reading and pronunciation was in all the classes very good, and the children seemed really to enjoy the lessons. Copy books were very creditable, being neat and clean, and the writing very legible. The visitors, among whom we may mention Mr. E. Coates, Mr. H. Hill, from the Pahi, and Mr. Wilson, of Paparoa, all expressed themselves as surprised and delighted at the progress of the children, especially in geography, where considerable interest and animation were shown in finding places on the map, both in New Zealand and all parts of the world. Too much praise cannot be given to Mr. Haszard for the immense pains he has taken with his pupils, and we heartily congratulate him upon his success, and trust the young people will remain under his tuition till their knowledge can be turned to account. The afternoon and evening were spent in amusements j usual on such occasions; English games, such as cricket, rounders, &c., forming the chief attraction. At 6 p.m. tea was announced, and parents and children sat down to a plentiful and most excellent repast, prepared by Mrs. Haszard at the cost of the chief, Adam Clarke, who however, was not present, owing to the illness of the chief Pairama. His absence was much regretted, as he has taken a very great interest in the education of the Maori youth. In conclusion, we heartily wish this institution great success, and venture to express a hope that in the future of New Zealand the effects of the training in the Tanoa school will be felt as a power for good, and that among the tribes of the north the people of Kaipara may retain the place they have so long held in the good will and confidence of their British friends.