EDUCATION FOR NATIVES.

Wananga, Volume 1, Issue 10, 24 December 1874, Page 58

EDUCATION FOR NATIVES.

Mr. W. Kelly, In asking the question standing in his name, desired to draw the attention of the House to some remarks made by His Excellency the Governor when addressng the Grammar School in Aucland. Sir James IFergussbn said,~"l ought not to pass such ah apportunity a£ the present without saying some words which appear to me not applicable, but my duty to utter. J?irst, -with regard to the object of the institution- I notice that, in its fundamental provisions, it is intended to be available to the youths of all races, not only to us Europeans, but also to the Natives of this, country* Now, should I ask how far it has fulfilled! the latter portion of its purpose. I venture to think it has fallen short of what -its promoters intended. In first year of my" administration, I have been struck with

visiting the various parts, of the country during the the little care which is being taken to fit the sons of cnieis tor the positions which ought to be theirs We see the Natives, unfortunately, indulging in bad habits - and how can we expect it to be otherwise, if they are' £ *TiT ent t0 t ? eir , educa V on « youth ?It seems to me that they ougth to have the best education the country can afford But to turn the best born Maori boys into a School l,ke this would, perhaps, be injurious to the School and to themselves. It seems to me that in Auckland there ought to be a boarding house, where they could be managed in the manner best suited to their previous life temperaments, and gradually brouebt to set an example to their people, and lead them to higher and better things. Unless something of this kind is done, we have not done our duty to the Native race. Justice, kindness, generosity have not been wanting, but system has been wanting." He knew that the Honorable Member who was at the head of the Native Department had taken all possible steps for the establishment of Native Schools throughout the colony, and every facility was given to Natives to acquire education. He thought, however, it would be well that some of the sons of cheifs who had made eood progress in the Native Schools, should have opportunities afforded for obtaining a higher class of education than was procurable at those Schools. He would ask if it is the intention of the Government to make provisions tor the education of the sons of chiefs of the Native race as indicated by His Excellency the Governor in his address at a recent examination of the Auckland Grammar School? Mr. McLean would state that it was the earnest desire of the Government to further the education of the youths of the Native race in every possible way. There were the common village Schools which afforded elementary education, and it was desirable that the sons "of chiefs or others who distinguished themselves should be sent to a better class pt School, and indeed, to some of the best educational institutions. A high class education could be better given in the midst of a large English community, where the students would be separated from their own race altogether. The subject was one that had engaged the the attention of the Government, and he had conversation with His Excellency on the subject There was already a boarding School at Auckland. St Stephen's of which His Excellency was not aware when he made the speech referred to, and to this a good may young men had been sent tor a a better education. There were other young Natives at School in Wellington, and laterly a lad—Paora te Amohau passed a very creditable examination before the Board of Education in Wellington. He believed it would be attended with great good if the young Natiyes were mixed more with the English community, and he looked upon such training as a means that would help to overcome the difference between the two races. When once they became acquainted with the English language, the most of the difficulties with the Native race would disappear. *