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PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OE SHE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. BY COMMAND OE HIS EXCELLENCY. WELLINGTON. 1872.
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No. 1. The Hon. the Native Ministeb to Lieutenant-Colonel Eussell. Native Office, ;S IK) — Wellington, 17th November, 1871. I have the honor to request that you would have the goodness to undertake the duty ot inspecting the schools for the education of Maori children, which are now in existence, and which are already, or might with advantage be brought under, the provisions of the " Native School Acts of 1867. I should also be glad if you would report in respect of any district you may visit, whether there is, in your opinion, a reasonable ground for believing that a- school might with advantage be established under the Act in such district. Ido not propose to fetter you with precise instructions as to the course to be pursued. I shall content myself by saving generally that all schools assisted, or to be assisted by Government, must in all respects fulfil the coMitions of the Acts pf 1867 and 1871, of which I enclose copies; particularly in the point of instructing the pupils in the English language. The character and adaptability for their duties of the masters and mistresses of these schools will be a very important point for your inquiries. I think it a matter of great importance that all games which the children are taught to play in their hours of recreation should be the same as are played at English schools, such as cricket, football and other similar athletic sports, not only for the sake of the physical benefit the children will derive from such exercises, but also in the hope that the school may thereby be rendered more attractive. The disturbed state in which the Colony has been for some years past, has almost paralyzed the exertions of those engaged in Maori education, and prevented the Government from carrying out the system of inspection provided for by the Act. The tranquillity of the country during the last two years has, however, to a great extent restored the confidence of bofh races, and the Government are now anxious to use every means at their command to encourage and promote the education of the Maori children. Eurther instructions will bo sent to you from time to time, meanwhile I enclose a list of schools at present receiving subsidies under the Act of 1867, to which is attached a mass of correspondence including several applications from Natives for the establishment of new schools in various parts of the Colony. I desire to draw your particular attention to the proposal^ to establish schools at Pak.whai and Omahu, in Hawke's Bay. The remuneration for your services will be :■ —Eor inspecting and reporting upon Native schools per annum, four hundred pounds ; for inquiring and reporting upon such other matters as your attention may be directed to, two hundred pounds, to commence from the present date. The above rate is intended to include all travelling expenses, except passages by sea, which will be provided at the public expense. I have &c, Donald M'Lean.
No. 2. The Inspectoe of Schools to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Sic,— Wellington, New Zealand, 25th July, 1872. I do not propose, in this my first Eeport as Inspector of Native Schools, to enter into the history of Native education prior to the passing of the -Native Schools Act of 1871. Such a history would have but little present value for New Zealand, though it might have (if carefully and honestly compiled from the records of the last thirty years) for the Islands of tho Pacific, in their approaching and inevitable colonization. I will at present merely state that however opinions may differ as to the plan of education which was adopted, and as to the language in which the earliest instruction of the Natives should have been conveyed, there can be no question that neither the Imperial Government, the successive Q-overnors, the Colonists, nor the Colonial Legislature have ever been wanting in generous efforts to impart to the Natives all the education, literal and practical, which they were competent to receive. Large grants of money were made by the Imperial Parliament before the Colony received self-government, and since that time the Colonial grants have been so liberal as to leave a present surplus in hand of nearly £10,000 over and above the sums which it has been found prudent to disburse. Neither have the services of eminent and devoted men ever been wanting in the cause of Native education. It might not be wise to particularize, where the Ministers of all denominations have vied with each other in
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generous emulation, but I feel that I shall meet with general concurrence when I say that many of our greatest, best, and most learned men have devoted the best years of their lives to the education and civilization of the Maori. The Natives have not themselves been backward in endowing with land and giving their best personal assistance to the schools which were established in their neighbourhoods, and although such endowments have not yet, as a rule, proved of any great actual value, I believe that fact arises rather from the unsettled state of the country during the last twelve years, the deficiency of capital with which to improve them, and possibly from feeble and untaught management, than from any want of intrinsic value in the lands so given. I shall have to allude further to those endowments before I close this Eeport. The system of education which had been pursued from the foundation of the Colony until the utter collapse of nearly all effort in 1867, was that of imparting instruction to tho Natives in their own language, in establishments where great numbers of all ages were congregated, and where they were not only educated, but were also housed, fed, and clothed. Such establishments were necessarily large and expensive, some of them containing more than a hundred Natives, and the cost was seldom, lam informed, less than £20 per head per annum. That amount is still granted to one or more establishments, to which I shall further allude; and I was lately informed by the Principal of St. Stephen's Institution, at Auckland, that the actual cost of each pupil is little under £25 a-year. It was often argued that it must be practically impossible to educate a whole race upon so expensive a system, but it was urged that unless the children were removed from the demoralizing influence of their own. kaingas, no permanent civilizing effect could be produced. I believe, however, that the system was unsound in most respects, that it was not only so expensive and exhausting as to overtax the energies and resources of all connected with it, but also that tho congregation of large numbers of both sexes produced, notwithstanding all the precautions of its administrators, no less amount of immorality than it sought to restrain ; that the separation of the children from their parents was calculated to weaken the relations which should subsist between them'; that the youths brought up in comparative comfort and physical idleness, returned to their homes listless and discontented, whilst the girls, much improved by habits of cleanliness and by education, were averse to return to the discomforts of the kainga, and frequently resorted to the towns in preference; finally, that any gain which might possibly have been obtained by the children from dissociation with their parents, was more than counterbalanced by the loss of civilizing influence which the whole people would have received from their constant witness of the orderly good conduct practised by their children whilst pupils iv well-conducted village schools. In 1867, the Native Schools Act was passed, but before it could be brought into effectual operation the North Island again became involved in war, and it was not until last Session, when the amended Native Schools Act was passed, that a strenuous effort could be made to construct a workable system of Native education. This Act having provided for the appointment of an Inspector, you were pleased to request me to undertake the office. I gathered from careful consideration of tho Native Schools Acts, of the discussion which had taken place upon the subject in the General Assembly, by frequent conversations with yourself, and from my letter of appointment, that the objects desired by the Legislature and by yourself were : — Eirstly. The establishment of village schools wherever a sufficient Native population and other circumstances rendered it possible. Secondly. The instruction of the Natives in tho English language only, except in cases where the location of an English teacher might be found impossible. Thirdly. The working of the village schools through the agency of the Natives themselves, associated with and aided by such Europeans as might be willing to work with them in School Committees. Fourthly. The contribution by the Natives of such proportion of the expense of school buildings and of schoolmaster's salary, as might be in each case agreed upon. Fifthly. The careful inspection and supervision of all schools receiving Government aid, with other minor points which I need not here dwell upon. Bearing those objects in view, I have from time to time submitted for your information, very detailed reports of my proceedings, and will now proceed to give such a condensed report as I -conceive you may desire to lay before the General Assembly, and will supplement it with such papers, giving greater details as may seem necessary. I have visited the greater part of the North Island lying between Napier and North Cape, commencing at Napier. Here I found arrangements had been already made by your directions for the establishment of Native schools at Pakowhai and Omahu. A committee had been elected, a chairman (S. Locke, Esq., E.M-) appointed, land set aside for school sites, and buildings for the accomodation of the masters, and school accomodation for fifty pupils in each school, were in course of erection. The school at Pakowhai was opened on the 9th of January, when Mr. Bissel was nominated as master by the committee and approved by me on tho part of Government, with a salary of £100 a year. It has since continued in full operation, and I will report upon its progress before I conclude this paper. The school-house at Omahu is nearly completed, and the master, Mr. Tennant, nominated by the committee and approved by me, also with a salary of £100 a year, but some delay has arisen in opening the school, caused by the want of suitable timber. It may however be expected to be in immediate operation. I visited the school estate at To Aute, but finding that the offer of further aid from Government (upon condition that the requirements of the Native Schools Acts should be complied with) had been declined, I am not in a position to report further than that I consider this school estate to be one of several to which I will further allude, that should without delay be brought under the control of the Legislature. St. Josephs' Providence. —This is a boarding school for Native girls. I inspected it without giving previous notice and found everything conaected with the health, clothing, boarding, and education of tho pupils in perfect order. I feel it my duty, however, to call your attention to the great expense of this small establishment (as I shall have to do in other cases as I proceed with this report), and to annex a letter dated 30th December last, in which I have entered more fully upon the subject.
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Erom Hawke's Bay I proceeded in January to Poverty Bay, where I arranged for the establishment of two schools, the first at Turanganui, the second at Whakato (the site of the first school established by Bishop Williams in Poverty Bay and which is distant about ten mile- from Turanganui). Before going further into the subject of the Poverty Bay schools it is necessary that I should state that there is here a large and very valuable school estate called Waerengahika, which was granted to Bishop Williams, Archdeacon Leonard Williams, and several Native trustees, in trust, for educational purposes. This endowment is fully reported upon by the Commissioners appointed in 1869, for the investigation of such subjects, and I append herewith, a letter which I had the honor to address you upon the Bth of January last. The Natives of Poverty Bay upon being called upon to contribute towards the erection of the school houses which they desired to establish at Turanganui and at Whakato, expressed their desire to do so from the proceeds of the school estate of Waerengahika, and finding them anxious to comply in all respects with the requirements of the Native Schools Acts, I undertook upon the part of the Government to proceed with the schools at tho expense of the Government in the first place, but upon condition that the Native proportion should be refunded from the proceeds of the school estates, to which they willingly assented, including the Native trustees of the estate. But I have since been informed by the Bishop of Waiapu, that ho has a claim of £900 against the estates and that the trust requires that any schools benefitted by it should be in connexion with the Church of England. The estate is let for a short period (about to expire) at £150 a year, which is expended upon the property, but it might be now let for at least £300 a year, and I bog to recommend that no time be lost in bringing this property also under the control of the Legislature. Resuming my account of the schools at Turanganui. A school district was defined, a committee elected, a chairman (Dr Nesbitt, EM.) chosen; trustees of school site nominated for His Excellency the Governor's approval. A school site of about two acres given and surveyed. A school house was contracted for, which has since been completed. A schoolmaster (Mr. Bryant) has been appointed at the request of the committee with a salary of £100 a year, and he has no doubt by this time commenced his duties. At Whakato, a precisely similar course has been pursued. The school house has been completed, Major Wcstrgpp has been elected chairman of the school committee, and Mr Parker has been appointed schoolmaster with a salary of £80 a year (on probation). Erom Poverty Bay I proceeded by land along the East Coast to Tolago Bay, I found that the Natives had here themselves established (at TJawa) near the mouth of the river, a building to serve as both church and school-house, a practice which I often met with as I proceeded further north. An intelligent young man (a Native) was carrying on a school in Maori, but he and the Natives generally urged me to send them an European to teach their children English, and they offered to appropriate their building as a school, if tho Government would put up a house for the master. They also offered to pay half of the masters salary and to cany out the several requirements of the School Acts. To this I assented and finding that a suitable cottage could bo erected for £65, I authorized Mr. Andrew Eeeve (a runholdor, living in the immediate neighbourhood, who kindly gave me every assistance in his power), to have it erected. I await a report of its completion before supplying the school with books &c, and appointing a schoolmaster. Erom Tolago Bay I proceeded to Tokomarua (the settlement of Henry Potae) and made with him preliminary arrangements for establishing a school upon the usual terms, of half the expense being borne by the Natives and half by Government, but certain land complications he considered prevented his then carrying out the requirements of the School Acts. I am, however, in correspondence with Mr. Campbell, their Eesident Magistrate, and find the Natives are collecting money and taking the other necessary steps. A contract has been entered into for the erection of all the schools upon the coast south of Waiapu (East Cape), and I hope soon to require schoolmasters for them Proceeding North, I next visited Tuparoa, a settlement of Major Eopata's. The same remarks apply here as at Tokomarua, except that the school district boundaries have been defined, and that my last letters from the Eesident Magistrate lead me to suppose that the building is in progress upon the usual terms. Erom Tuparoa I proceeded to Waiapu, where there is a large amount of rich cultivable land, suitable for European settlement. Here I was able, in conjunction with Mokcna, the Native clergyman, and other chiefs, to fix upon a school site, and make all arrangements for the erection of tho schoolhouse, which, however, has been a good deal delayed by the difficulty of obtaining timber from Auckland. The requirements of the Acts have been complied with, and I await only the completion of the building to appoint a master, and to open the school. Manutahi. —In connection with this district I may remark that a very valuable grant of from one to two thousand acres was made to Her Majesty for school purposes, to which I have had the honor to draw you attention in my Eeport, No. 1, from Poverty Bay, dated 6th February last. It is represented to me as most excellent land, and if turned to account would be a very valuable endowment. From Waiapu I returned to Napier, and the following notice of the schools in the Bay of Plenty district, which were established, and in some cases inspected by yourself, is given only with a view to rendering this Eeport more complete: — Opotiki. —A mixed school of Europeans and Natives is in operation here. A schoolmaster, the Eev. Mr. Martin, was lately appointed by yourself, and I have since been in correspondence with the Eesident Magistrate (Mr. Brabant) upon the subject; I also, when in Auckland, conferred with Mr. Sullivan, the Inspector of Schools for the Province of Auckland, and I conclude that as the Europeans are in a considerable majority, the school will take the form of a Provincial school, assisted (as in the case of Pukepoto, upon which I shall presently report) by the General Government. Matata.—l regret to be able at present to offer no further information respecting this school than that it appears upon the list of schools, furnished to me from the Native Office, as being conducted by Mr. J. Creek, with a fixed salary of £80 a-year. I have no doubt that I shall find full information in the records of the Native Office, but I am unwilling to delay this Eeport for that purpose. Maketu. —Here there is, I understand, an excellent Native school, conducted by Mr. Tait, with a salary of £150 a-year. I have not yet received the School Eeport, to 30th June, lately directed to be 2
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furnished to me, and I am unable to give any details from my personal knowledge, but I understand it to have been lately inspected by yourself, in attendance upon His Excellency the Governor, and that you were much gratified by the result of your inspection. Tauranga. —Here there is a school, conducted by Mr. Oldfield, with a salary of £100 a-year. I have lately supplied it with books, &c, as I have also done that at Opotiki; and I understand it to have also been lately inspected by His Excellency and yourself, and to have been found in satisfactory operation. Eotoiti.—Major Wood has lately been established here by yourself, with a salary of £100 a-year, and I have subsequently, at his request, supplied him with books, &c. lam not able'to furnish further information at present, but have applied to the Civil Commissioner of the Bay of Plenty district, and will visit the several schools myself at the earliest opportunity. (Resuming the report of my own proceedings)—I proceeded from Napier to Auckland. I found but one Native educational establishment now existing of all those which were founded in this neighbourhood. St. Stephen's. —This is an institution in connection with the Church of England, upon which large sums have been expended, and which possesses large and valuable lands and buildings. 1 found eighteen pupils present, whose ages varied from seven to fifteen years. As in the case of St. Joseph's, Napier, nothing could be more satisfactory than the appearance of health, comfort, cleanliness, and care, which ■was shown by these children ; but I was informed by the Rev. Mr Burrowes, who has the general superintendence of the institution, that he receives £18 per pupil from Government, and that the total expenditure (from all sources) is not less than £25 per pupil a-year. It is true that they are clothed, fed, and housed in this case, also in addition to their being educated ; but I could not ascertain that these children had any greater claims to be clothed and fed at the expense of the State than any other similar number of Native children. But I beg to submit that this institution, having large and valuable buildings and endowments —and perhaps one other, such as Te Aute, in the South —might well be applied to tho higher purposes of Native education ; that they might be constituted schools of a superior class, to which, as an incentive to emulation, the best pupils from the village schools might be annually drafted. (I have suggested, page 4, that those institutions and endowments should bo brought under the control of the Legislature, when I think they should be secularized, and belong to no religious body). The Colony might thus select, cultivate, and ultimately utilize the most promising Native talent, by appointing the best pupils from such superior schools to interpreterships, surveyorships, clerkships, assessorships, &c, as they might show themselves competent to fill such offices. In a merely educational point of view, the same effect is produced in the village schools, at less than one-tenth of the cost of the larger institutions. Indeed, as these large endowments (aided as they have been by large grants from Government) have been hitherto applied, I conceive that however faithfully administered, they have failed to adequately benefit the colony. The Wesleyan institution near the Khyber Pass, that at the Three Kings, the Roman Catholic institution near Auckland, and the college at the North Shore, I understand to have all ceased to exist for Native educational purposes. I submit for your consideration that the control of all these endowments should be resumed by the colony. Erom Auckland I proceeded to the Bay of Islands, and thence to Waimate, the neighbourhood of Wiremu Katene, the member for that part of the Island. This being a comparatively populous part, I was called upon to arrange for the establishment of no less than five schools, within a radius of twenty miles, and as 1 found every disposition on the part of the Natives to contribute land and money in fair proportion, according to their ability, I arranged with them for the erection or establishment of schools, each to contain fifty pupils, at Waimate, Ohaeawai, Kaikohe, Pakaraka and Punakitere. As I have had the honor to furnish you with all the details in my letter from Waimate, of the 16th April last, I will not repeat them here, but I may remark generally, that as I found the land to the north of Auckland much poorer than in the south, and as from that and other causes,-the Natives did not appear to have as good money resources as they have in those parts of the colony, whore they have more intercourse with Europeans, I did not as a rule feel justified in requiring them to furnish so large a proportion as one half of the expenditure. I proceeded from Waimate to Whangaroa, where I made preliminary arrangements for establishing a school at Kaeo, where there is a Native'church (not now used as such) available, and where also an experienced schoolmaster already resides, who is desired by the Natives, and is willing to undertake the duties. lam at present in correspondence with the Resident Magistrate (Mr. Edward Williams) upon the subject, and hope soon to have the school in operation. From Whangaroa I went on to Kaitaia, in the Mangonui district, and established a school at Awiinui, where I found a building already available for a school, and Mr. Ernest Matthews, a son of the resident clergyman of Kaitaia, desired by the School Committee as master, and apparently well qualified for the office. I was able on my return to Auckland to supply tho school with books, &c , and it is now in successful operation. Pukepoto. —As I have reported very fully upon this school, which is of an interesting and peculiar character, I annex herewith my letter of 14th March, 1872, and will merely remark here that it continues in successful operation. Ahipara. —I have arranged for a school hero which is now nearly completed, and Mr. J. Masters, a brother of the master of Pukepoto school, is nominated as schoolmaster. I hope daily to hear that the school has been opened. I have arranged with Mr. White, the Resident Magistrate of the district for establishing a school at Parengarenga, near the North Cape. I had received no application when in the neighbourhood, and was not therefore aware of their desire for a school, but the Natives have proposed arrangements precisely similar to those which I have had the honor to report as having been made for Ahipara, to which I have assented on the part of the Government. Returning from Kaitaia to Waimate I proceeded thence to Mangakahia, a remote and isolated place very difficult of access, but having rich land and a
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considerable Native population. I was able to arrange for the erection of a schoolhouse and for the salary of a schoolmaster, upon terms which, under the circumstances, I thought reasonable. It will be some time before it will be completed, as the timber has to be sawn upon the spot and seasoned, but they offered the use of their Eunanga house in the mean time for a school, and to provide good accommodation for the master, and although I have hitherto failed to find a suitable master, I hope shortly to do so, and no time will be lost in opening the school. From Mangakahia I proceeded to Hokianga, where I spent some days visiting, in company with the Eesident Magistrate (Mr. Yon. Stunner), the various localities. Waitapu. —I was able to arrange for the establishment of a school atWaitapu —a central situation, very carefully selected by Wi Tana Papahia, and the Natives generally —as suitable to the scattered population and local jealousies of the district. I have had the honor to report the details of the arrangement, which would have no peculiar interest in this Eeport, and which I will not therefore repeat. A schoolmaster (Mr. Fletcher Watkins), was nominated by the Committee, and approved by me. And although I have met with great and unexpected delay in supplying tho school with books, &c, owing to the unfrequent communication between Auckland and Hokianga, I hope to hear very shortly that the school has been opened. I had applications from other localities at Hokianga (as indeed is generally the case in all districts), but I thought it necessary rather to repress the desire than to encourage the Natives to enter upon engagements of which they had not quite realized the importance. From Hokianga I returned to Auckland, and proceeded thence to Kaipara. I had been so fortunate as to meet all the principal Kaipara chiefs on my first arrival in Auckland, when I discussed with them very fully the provisions and intentions of the Native Schools Acts, as relates to the establishment of village schools, and the assistance required from the Natives in their working and in their support. It was then arranged that I should not visit their district until they returned from Tokangamutu, where they were going to a meeting with the King party. They had now returned, but I had been delayed in Auckland, and Mr. Eogan, their Eesident Magistrate, who was to accompany me, had been delayed at Eotorua and at the Thames upon Native land Court business; consequently when we did visit Kaipara together, we were unable to obtain a meeting of any importance; and after a day or two spent at Awaroa, and ineffectual attempts to establish there a mixed school of Europeans and Natives, which was defeated by the local jealousies of Europeans, I was obliged to give up the present hope of immediate action in the Kaipara district. I had the honor to point out in my letter from Auckland, dated 10th May last, the difficulty which will arise in the Kaipara district from its small population (not much exceeding 600 souls), scattered over a vast extent of country^ intersected by rivers in all directions. It has been urged that the difficulty can be got over only by establishing a central boarding school, but upon going into details the expenditure proposed for buildings, dormitories, masters, matrons, food, clothing, furniture, &c, is so vastly out of proportion to any probable result, that I have not been able to take it into serious consideration. Eeturning from Kaipara to Auckland, and thence to Napier, I inspected the schools at Pakowhai, the opening of which I have already noticed at page 4, of this Eeport. I had arranged with the Chairman of the School Committee that I would visit it in company with himself and any other members of the committee who might desire to be present, but circumstances having prevented his giving due notice, I had the advantage of being totally unexpected, and consequently of seeing the school in an unprepared state. I found the names of sixty-five pupils on the attendance roll, of whom sixty-three were in the school, two being absent sick. They were of both sexes, and their ages varied from seven to seventeen. Their appearance was clean and decent, their manner quiet, orderly and respectful; they were being taught by one master with some small assistance from a pupil teacher. I examined them in reading, writing, cyphering, and writing from dictation, in all of which their progress was greater than I could have thought possible in so short a period (about four months.) The master does not speak Maori and nothing but English is spoken in the school. Tho pronunciation is of course as yet very imperfect and I find it necessary to impress generally upon teachers, that the careful pronunciation, the perfect understanding, and the fluent speaking of English are of infinitely more value to the pupils of a village school than the intimate knowledge of the geography of countries, with which, in all probability, they will never have communication, or other knowledge, which we sometimes see laboriously, painfully, and uselessly imparted. As the first fruits of the village school system, the results of tho schools at Maketu and Pakowhai appear to be in tho highest degree satisfactory. Tou will perceive that my report, lengthy and tedious as I fear it must appear, embraces only the two Provinces of Auckland and Hawke's Bay, indeed there are several schools in the former Province which I did not think it expedient to visit at present, such as those of Karakariki, Aotea, and Kawhia, but which I hope to visit early in the ensuing summer, and there are other places from which applications have been received in both those Provinces, such as Waimarama, Mohaka, and Wairoa, in Hawke's Bay and Whangaroa, Waikato, and Thames district, &c, in Auckland, to all of which I hope to attend in due season. I arrived in Wellington three days since, and so soon as I have inspected the schools here and transacted such other business as may be mecessary, I propose to visit such as may be receiving Government aid in the Middle Island. In conclusion, I would again call attention to the recommendation contained in the third Eeport of the Commissioners appointed in 1869 ; and would urge prompt enquiry into past as well as present management of school endowments and the settlement of outstanding claims against them. I would also urge the passing of an Act, giving power to remove and appoint Trustees of School Endowments, to revise, and, if necessary, to cancel existing leases where they may not appear to be equitable, and
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generally to authorize such action as may carry out the intentions of the donors, and turn the endowments to the most profitable account. With such aid I feel satisfied that the provision already made for Native education will be found sufficient for the purpose. I have &c, A. H. EITSSELL.
No. 3. The Inspectob oe Schools to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Sic,— Napier, 20th December, 1871. With reference to the several applications addressed to the Government by Natives for the establishment of schools, (some of them in remote districts) I beg to submit for your consideration that it is desirable to obtain from tho Colonial Architect a simple plan and elevation for a school house, containing under the same roof two rooms for the master, and a schoolroom to accommodate say forty scholars, which I presume will be as high an average as we can expect. Provided with such a plan and estimate, which would prevent tho construction of more costly and less suitable buildings, I might arrange with the Trustees and school Committees for the immediate erection of the necessary buildings by such mechanics as the neighbourhood might afford. As regards school books, Sue., I find a certain number may be obtained in Napier at the Herald office, at prices which the proprietors assure me shall be as low as they can be imported for from England. I conceive we should provide for the establishment during the present summer of at least twenty schools, averaging forty scholars each. I think it not unlikely that many more will be applied for, but even for twenty schools something like the following list will be required. 1,000 first reading books, 4,000 copy books, 1,000 copy slips, 1,000 slates, 40 copies of Cornwell's, or other approved geography, 40 large maps of the world, 40 copies of arithmetic, 100 quires of ruled foolscap, 100 quires plain foolscap, 100 quires common note paper, 40 cards multiplication and other tables, 40 cards spelling, 40 rulers, 40 dozen common lead pencils, 100 boxes steel pens, slate pencils &c, Sue., &c. The cost of the above would probably be from £100 to £200. Some of them could be obtained here as I have said. I understood from Mr. Clarke (Civil Commissioner), that Sir William Martin, would probably assist us with advice as to books, &c, and that a good supply could also be probably obtained from Dunedin. I would suggest that after the first supply the parents should be required to replace any books, &c, lost or destroyed by the scholars, not only for economy's sake, but to promote careful habits amongst the children. I find there are already applications for more than twenty schools, and I propose to visit, and, if possible, set schools in motion at the following places, and in the order named in as far as it may be practicable: —Pakowhai, Omahu, Waimarama, Mohaka, Tttranga-nui, Waiapu, Opotiki, Whakatane, Maketu, Eoto-iti, Tauranga, Pukarahui, Mangakahia, Bay of Islands, Kaitaia, Mangonui, Hokianga, Kaipara, &c. The chief difficulty I apprehend will be in finding suitable masters, but as the instruction for tho first year or two must of necessity be of the most elementary character, I do not imagine that great sholarship will be so indispensable as good moral character, common sense, and patient kindness. I would suggest that as the master will be provided with a house and sufficient land for his own use, with ample time to cultivate it, the salary should not exceed £100 a-year, and that the appointment should be probationary. Also, that the action of the Government should be confined, as far as possible, to assisting the Natives in their own efforts to educate their children, for instance, a school committee being formed and their chairman elected, that they should appoint the master, subject to the approval of the Government, —be responsible for the due payment of his salary (tho chairman receiving the Government contribution in such manner as might be arranged, and handing it over to the master). The chairman and committee also being responsible for the proper erection and maintenance of the school buildings, receiving the Government contribution (as before said), and handing it over to the builder. The chairman and committee also being responsible for the good conduct of the master, the due performance of his duties, aud (in support of the master) for the regular attendance of the scholars, their cleanliness, orderly, and moral conduct, Ac. The school machinery would thus be carried on by the simple agency of tho school committee, and the master, being appointed and paid by them, would work harmoniously with the committee, whilst the action of the Government would be confined: — Ist. To the approval of the site —school-house, —endowment, (if any) —of the master nominated by the committee, and of rules for the attendance of scholars and government of the schools. 2nd. To furnishing such amount of funds towards the erection of schoolhouse, the purchase of school furniture, books, Soe., the contribution towards the masters salary, &c , as might in each case be decided upon. 3rd. The periodical inspection, including examination of scholars enquiry into management, audit of accounts, &c. 4th. A report by Inspector upon every school receiving aid from Government. With reference to endowments, I have lately in the absence, at Auckland, of tho Bishop of Waiapu, to whom your letter of the Ist April, 1871, was addressed, visited the Eev. Samuel Williams, at Te Aute, and learnt from him, that he had, subsequently to the date of that letter, had personal communication with you, and that he does not at present desire assistance from the Government under tho provisions of the Native Schools Acts, tho funds now at his disposal being sufficient to erect the new buildings now in progress, and to maintain a master and a limited number of scholars. I fear, liowever, that if we are as successful in establishing village schools as seems likely, the Natives will
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scarcely desire to send their children away from their homes for education, even if they aro fed, clothed, and lodged in addition, and that it may be found after the erection of the buildings and the appointment of a master, that there are but few pupils to derive advantage therefrom. But I think the following plan would possibly meet the views of the Natives, who have so handsomely endowed the Te Aute school, of the Eeverend Samuel Williams, who has so successfully improved the school estate, and of the Government, which desires to utilize to the fullest extent all such educational endowments. I would suggest that every village school should be encouraged to nominate its best pupil to the Te Aute school for higher instruction than can be obtained at the village schools, that the Government should contribute in the form of scholarships £10 each per annum; for not more than thirty scholars, and should nominate every year one or more of the most advanced scholars from the To Aute school, to civil or military employment. I think we might by such means prevent any antagonism between the endowed, and the village schools, and remove the desire expressed last session, to resume the lands granted by the Natives for school endowment, upon the ground that they had not been applied to the purpose for which they were given. At the same time we should furnish an incentive to the village schools for emulation, and should gradually attach to the Government the most intelligent Native youth, and give the Natives generally a tangible proof of the value of education. I suggested this idea to the Eev. S. Williams who seemed to agree with me as to its feasibility. I have Ac, A. H. Russell.
No. 4s. The Hon. the Native Ministeb to the Inspectoe of Schools. Sib,-«- Whanganui, 12th January, 1872. I have to acknowledge with thanks your suggestive report of the 20th ultimo, on the subject of the establishment and maintenance of village schools in Native districts whenever practicable. A plan and elevation of schoolhouse, such as you describe, could be furnished from Tauranga on application to Mr. Commissioner Clarke. As regards school books, those that have been hitherto used in the schools already set on foot, are a series issued under the auspices of " National School Union," and a very useful school book in Maori and English is now in course of preparation by Sir William Martin. Tou are authorized to purchase books and school material to the amount of thirty pounds to meet present wants, and should you need an additional supply, it is proposed to send to England for them, but timely notice should be given. With regard to rules, a few general ones may be introduced, but I consider it is premature to introduce any stringent rules. Those applicable to one class of schools in particular localities, might interfere prejudicially with others. The chief object in view is to start the schools and gradually to make such rules as may meet the circumstances and the necessities of each particular case as it arises. These should be left as much as possible in the hands of the managing committees. Tour suggestures respecting Te Aute school, will be duly considered after it is in full operation, and its capabilities as a finishing school established. In the mean time the progress of the village schools is of the first importance, as on that the whole fabric of the educational advancement of the Natives depends. I have &c, Donald McLean.
No. 5. The Inspectoe of Schools to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Sib, — Napier, 30th December, 1871. In conformity with your telegram of 20th instant, I visited the school of St. Joseph's Providence, at Napier. I did so without notice, and found everything in the most perfect order. The school had broken up a few days before for the Christmas holidays, but Father Forest, the resident B.C. Clergyman and the Superioress in charge were very pressing, that I should see the establishment and examine the scholars, fifteen in number, who remained at the Institution. These were all Native'1 girls (including half-castes) ranging from about 7 to 14 years of age, and they appeared, from a short examination which I made of each individual, to bo admirably instructed in elementary subjects ; they appeared to be in p-srfect health and spirits, and I was impressed by the very cordial and friendly tone which seemed to exist between the Superioress and her scholars; they were neatly and cleanly dressed, their dormitory in perfect order, and the establishment in general of spotless cleanliness. I was informed that the total number of Native scholars, for whom a capitation allowance is received, is twenty-four; of whom I saw fifteen, the other nine being away with their friends for the holidays. I had great pleasure in complimenting the Rev. Father, the Superioress, and the scholars, upon all I had seen of the establishment, and in promising to revisit it when they should have resumed work. I may add that the general establishment of St. Joseph's Providence appears to include a ladies' school, a common school for European boys, and the Native girls' school, of which I have spoken, each of which is fenced off and perfectly distinct from the others. I was informed that Father Eeigner, who resides at the E. C. Mission Station at Meanee, is the head of the establishment, and I visited, him accordingly. I gather from him that the capitation allowance which he is receiving for the Native girls under instruction, is at the rate of £20 a-year per head, which for twenty-four scholars would amount to £480 per annum ; that he is not limited to tha 3 '
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number, but has not at present accommodation for more, and that he had ordered timber for the erection of buildings at Meanee for forty Native boys, which buildings he had understood he could not be paid for by Government, but that he should be paid capitation money. He thought the number ot boys would not at first be over thirty, and he requested me to inform him what he might expect from Government. I told him that I could not inform him, but as a matter of opinion I thought it unlikely that so large a sum as £600 for a boy's school, in addition to £480 for a girl's school, making together more than £1000, could be afforded (out of the grant of £4000 to all New Zealand), for one denomination in Hawke's Bay, particularly as I was already in possession of applications from twenty or thirty other parts of the Colony. As I consider this is only the first of many similar examples of great expectations which the Government will find it impossible to comply with, I venture to submit that it might be well to apportion the Grant of £4,000 in some measure amongst the Provinces in proportion to their Native population. It will be seen that the moment the boarding school system is entertained, three or four such schools would absorb the whole amount granted by the Assembly for Native education, whilst by means of the village schools, where the children continue to be fed, clothed, and housed by their parents, who will also contribute to the support of the schoolmaster, we shall educate fifteen or twenty children for every one educated in a boarding school. Again, however admirable the management of the school which I have leportod upon may be, I doubt whether tho Colony derives much advantage in return for the sum of £480 per annum supposed to be expended on it, for I found one if not two of the children belonged to Morena of Pourere, a chief of no great rank or importance, but at tho same time well able to pay for the education of his own children. Most of the others appeared to come from the Wairoa, being, I imagine, waifs and strays collected by Father Eeignier in his missionary tours. It is intended that these children should be brought up for domestic service, an excellent plan in a philanthropic point of view, but scarcely one upon which the Colony would desire to expend £20 a year, for an indefinite number of years, for each child so instructed. On the whole, I must confess to great doubt whether any political or educational effect upon the Natives as a race, is produced by these costly boarding schools, at all commensurate with their expense; and I would submit for your consideration, whether a limit should not be put upon the amount of capitation allowance (say £l 0 per head), and also upon tho number (say twenty in any one school), so that no particular establishment should receive more than its fair proportion of the annual grant of £4000 for the whole Colony. Also, that not more than one child of the same family should receive capitation allowance. I remember one case (I think at the "Three Kings," Auckland) where five or six children of the same parents (Europeans), who had done no service to the Colony, were all receiving capitation allowance at the same time. I have, Sue., A. H. Eussell.
No. (5. The Inspectoe op Schools to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Gisborne, Poverty Bay, Sic,— 6th February, 1872. I have the honor to report that I have visited that part of the East Coast lying between Poverty Bay and Waiapu, and have arranged for the erection and establishment of the following Native Schools, upon each of which I will report separately herewith : — Ist. At Turanganui, Poverty Bay—A school-house, including two rooms £ s. for Schoolmaster, and the necessary school furniture, to cost ... 165 10 2nd. At Whakato, Poverty Bay ... ... ... 175 10 3rd. At Tolago Bay —A Schoolmaster's house and school furniture ... 75 0 4th. At Tokomaru— A school-house (as at Turanganui), and school furniture ... ... ... ... ... 177 10 sth. At Tuparoa—A school-house, &c, ... ... ... 177 10 6th. At Waiapu —A school-house, &c. ... ... ... 177 10 £948 10 These schools will be erected with the least possible delay, by three separate contractors, according to plan and specification, under the supervision of the Chairmen of the School Committees (generally the Eesident Magistrates). The schools at Poverty Bay to be completed within two months from this date; those upon the Coast, within one month from the date of the material being landed from Auckland. As each of these school-houses is to contain fifty scholars, with two rooms for the master, the whole to be lined throughout, to have also an entrance porch, two fire places, desks, forms, See., I consider the amount tendered for is very moderate. I have arranged that in the first instance the whole expense should be borne by Government, from the funds accumulated under Clause 3, " Native Schools Act, 1867" ; but I believe few cases can arise in which one-half of this expenditure should not be returned to the Government by the Natives, and I have accordingly made this a condition of a schoolhouse being erected in each of the foregoing localities. At Poverty Bay, the School Estate of Waerengahika is at present let for £150 a year, which can be immediately increased to £300. At Whakato, the Natives have a rental of £800 a year, which can be increased. At Tolago Bay, they have a rental of £900 a year, which can be increased. At Tokomaru, they have a large extent of pastoral land, which they are anxious to let.
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At Tuparoa, and Waiapu, they have, some years since, granted to the Queen a School Estate of between one and two thousand acres of most valuable land, at Maau-tahi, for which I understand a tenant might at once be found. This is another instance of the danger of endowments being lost sight of, or neglected, from the want of some authorised person to look after them, as it appears to have been granted about 1867, but utterly lost sight of until some vague rumour of its existence caused the Eesident Magistrate to institute careful inquiry, when it was found amongst the old papers of his predecessor by his (Mr. W. Baker's) widow. But a stronger reason than the fact that the Natives, by contributing to the efforts we are making to educate their children, will double our means of doing so, is that it will give them a greater interest in our success, with which view I have sought their opinion and concurrence in everything which we have done in establishing these schools, and have urged their assistance and co-operation in working them, and have found them anxious to do all in their power. I have, &c, A. H. Russell.
No. 7. The Inspectoe op Schools to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Waimate, Bay of Islands, Sib,— 13th March, 1872. I have the honor to report that, in accordance with my telegram of 22nd ultimo, I embarked for Auckland on that day, and arrived on the 24th. On the same day I held a meeting with all the principal chiefs of Kaipara, as they happened to be passing through Auckland on their way to a meeting with the Eing Natives at Tokangamutu. I was glad to have an opportunity of making known to those chiefs the kindly intentions of the Legislature and Government, as regards the education and instruction of the Native race in the English language, upon the eve of their visit to the King Natives, feeling assured that it would be made a subject of conversation at Tokangamutu, and be thus conveyed indirectly to those who have so long estranged themselves from us. The Kaipara chiefs appeared to be thoroughly satisfied with the details which I made known to them, and willing to co-operate with the Government by bearing a fair share of the necessary expenditure, and by using their influence and aid in carrying out the requirements of the Acts. At their request, I delayed my visit to Kaipara until after my return from the North, to give them time to return to Tokangamutu. On the 26th I inspected the St. Stephen's Institution, and found it in excellent order. I had an opportunity also of conferring with the Rev. Mr. Burrowes (in charge) and with the VenerableArchdeacon Williams. I will report specially upon this Institution when I have more time. I subsequently visited and conferred with Sir William Martin upon the subject of Native education generally, to which he is devoting great attention, and is, in conjunction with Archdeacon Williams, compiling an educational series, which will, I think, much facilitate the acquisition of the English language by the Natives. As he thought he could have the first books ready for the press in a couple of months, before which time there will not be many school-houses ready for occupation, I purpose buying at present only so many of the books now in use as may be absolutely necessary to carry on the present schools. I found no other schools in Auckland; the Roman Catholic schools which formerly existed at St. Mary's and on the North Shore having ceased operations. I left Auckland, therefore, by the first steamer for the Bay of Islands, and reached Waimate on the Ist instant. On the 2nd I visited Wiremu Katene, the Native member for this district, at his kainga ; and, finding him out of health, and about to go to the sea-side for its recovery, I agreed to defer holding a meeting for establishing a school at Waimate until I had visited the several districts which are most accessible from this place. Accordingly, I proceeded on the 4th instant, by way of Whangaroa and Mangonui, to Kaitaia, which I reached on the 6th, and from thence to Ahipara, on the West Coast, on the 7th, inspecting Mr. Masters' school at Pukepoto on my way. I will report specially upon this school, which deserves every encouragement. At Ahipara, I found only the principal chief (Charles Napier) and a few others, most of them having accompanied the Resident Magistrate, Mr. White, to a Land Court, which he was about to hold at the North Cape. I was unfortunate in not being able to fall in with the Resident Magistrate, who was generally fifty miles ahead of me ; but I wrote to him before my return from Kaitaia, explaining the steps which I had taken, and begging him to complete such, as I was, from the absence of the Natives, obliged to leave unfinished. I visited the proposed school site at Ahipara, and found it to consist of from twenty to thirty acres of good land, with most of the timber necessary for a school-house (to be used also for Divine service) already on the ground, and arrangements made for its erection. I arranged with Mr. Puckey, who acts in conjunction with the Rev. Mr. Matthews, to call a meeting upon the return of the Ahipara Natives for the election of a school committee, the definition of school boundaries, the nomination of trustees, See., and I will report accordingly when the requirements of the Native School Acts have been complied with. I apprehend no difficulty in finding a good schoolmaster for Ahipara, either in the person of a brother of Mr. Masters, of Pukepoto School, or in that of a son of the Rev. Mr. Matthews, of Kaitaia. On the Bth I attended a meeting of Natives at Awanui (on the East Coast), where I found forty-four children assembled with their parents, who assured me that several others —not less than sixty in all —would attend school. . They had already erected a school-house also, (like that at Ahipara) intended for a church, which will accommodate that number of children.
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The meeting proceeded to elect their committee of seven, two of whom are Europeans, viz., the Rev. Mr. Matthews and Mr. Ralph Pickmere, the latter of whom was elected chairman. They also nominated trustees for the school site,.and Mr. Ernest Matthews (a married man, son of the clergyman) for schoolmaster. An excellent selection, which I have taken upon myself to confirm. I find the Natives north of the Bay of Islands comparatively poor, so far as I have yet seen — deriving their support chiefly from kauri gum digging. The land between Waimate and the extreme north point which I have visited is poor to a degree which it is difficult to conceive, and consequently one sees little or no attempt at cultivation. There are partial exceptions to this extreme sterility, as at Whangaroa and Kaitaia, and the kauri timber trade at Whangaroa gives very profitable occupation to both Natives and Europeans ; but, as a rule, I have found that whilst it would be unwise to remit all contributions from the Natives for the education of their children, they ought not in such districts as I have named, to be called upon for more than one-fourth of the Schoolmaster's salary. Accordingly, I have fixed the master's salary at Awanui at £80 a year, £60 of which to be furnished by the Government and £20 by the Natives, to commence when it is reported to me that the necessary repairs and school furniture have been completed, for which I have authorised an expenditure of £10. In neither of the cases named (Pukepoto, Ahipara, and Awanui) will schoolmasters' houses be necessary, as the proposed masters have their own houses in their respective neighbourhoods. On my return to Whangaroa I endeavoured to hold a meeting, there being a considerable Native population in the valley, though very much scattered. I was not, however, able to get them together, though I remained an extra day for the purpose, but I was able to make such arrangements with one of the principal men, who is very anxious and active, and with Mr. Lane, a very respectable settler, who would probably be elected their chairman, as I think can be easily completed by their Eesident Magistrate (Mr. Edward Williams) on his next visit to Whangaroa in about a fortnight. I have now returned to Waimate, with a view of visiting Kaikohe and Maungakahia, the latter a remote and isolated district, very difficult of access, but having a large Native population. On my return I shall proceed to Hokianga, which will occupy me about a week ; after which I shall return to Auckland, and go thence to Kaipara to meet the chiefs on their return from Tokongamutu. I will report further progress from Auckland. I have, &c, A. H. Russell.
No. 8. The Inspectoe op Schools to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Waimate, Bay of Islands, Sib,— 14th March, 1872. With reference to that part of my letter of yesterday's date, which relates to the school at Awanui, I have the honor to annex herewith the names of the School Committee, Chairman, proposed Trustees of school site, and boundaries of School District. I have, &c., A. H. Russell.
Awanui (Kaitaia). School Committee. —Mr. Ealph Pickmere (Chairman), Eev. Joseph Matthews, Tamiti Rangitaumutu, Charles Baker (Native), Hakaria, Hohepa Poutama, Henere Maru. Proposed Trustees. —Tamiti Rangitaumutu, Wi Tararu, Ralph Pickmere. Boundaries of School District.— Commencing at W&ipapa Kauri, thence by a straight line to Mangatete, thence by the Government road to Kaitaia, thence by the river Awanui to the commencing point.
No. 9. The Inspectoe op Schools to the Hon. the Native Ministee. Waimate, Bay of Islands, Sic,— , 14th March, 1872. Referring to that passage in my letter of yesterday's date, in which I stated that I would report specially upon the school at Pukepoto, under charge of Mr. Masters, I now beg to report accordingly, that I visited it unexpectedly, and found in it an evidence of how much may be done with very small means by those who really have an object at heart. Mr. Masters appears to have commenced the education of the Natives in his own vicinity, without a school-house, furniture, books, or any of the usual requirements, with but twelve scholars, and no salary. He got the loan of a Native house from the young chief, Timothy Busby, got together some forms and desks, of very rough description, succeeded in then getting aid from the Provincial, and subsequently from the General Government, and has now a school of thirty scholars (the house will not contain mor_), who are more advanced in English, and in the usual elementary branches of education than those whom I have found in Institutions upon which large sums of public money have been' expended. The school is now, however, liberally aided by the Provincial Government,, who contributed at first £40 a year by way of salary to the Master, which it has since increased to £6®, and has also, as Mr.
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Masters informs me, promised £50 towards the cost of erecting a proper school-house, that lent by Timothy Busby being quite unfit for the present number of scholars. The General Government has also contributed £40 a year to Mr. Masters' salary, and £10 a year ' for books and stationery. He is, therefore, now in receipt of £100 a year from Government, besides £20 a year from the Natives, which last, however, is furnished by Timothy Busby, in addition to his supplying the present school-house, and chiefly supporting the scholars, whose parents are said to be too poor to contribute. He has further made over as a site for the new school about to be erected, twelve acres of land, near the present schoolhouse. As he is by no means well off, Mr. Masters is anxious to relieve him from the future contribution of £20 a year towards the Master's salary, and with that view requests the General Government to increase its contribution of £40 a year, to the sum now given by the Provincial Government, viz., £60 a year, by which means his salary would remain as at present, but Timothy Busby would be relieved to that extent. The only objections that I see to this are, Ist.—That it is a departure from the general principle, which I am happy to say I find universally approved by those who have been engaged in the education of the Natives, that they should contribute to, and take part in the education of their own children according to their ability ; and, 2nd.—That it would give Mr. Masters a larger Government salary than other masters receiving aid from the General Government, though not, he assures me, as large as some given by the Provincial Government. Mr. Masters also asks for a contribution of £50 from the General Government towards the erection of a new school-house, which I should have felt myself at liberty to promise at once, but for the following reason: —The Provincial Government, has been very liberal in its support of the school, and has taken interest in it, causing it to be inspected ; and the twelve acres set apart by Timothy Busby have been, or are being conveyed, not to Trustees appointed by the Governor, as required by " The Native Schools Act, 1867," but to the Superintendent of Auckland. Now, the 4th Clause of "The Native Schools Act, 1871," provides that before any money be granted for the erection of schools, &c, the site shall be vested in two or more trustees, to be nominated by the Governor. I did not therefore feel authorised to sanction any outlay for a new school until I had received your instructions. I imagine the Provincial Government would willingly make over the school to the General Government, if relieved from its present annual contribution. As the hew school, however, is urgently required, and as no time should be lost in its erection, I should feel obliged by your early decision upon this subject. As regards the numbers, appearance, and progress of the scholars, I found about thirty present in all, chiefly boys, of from seven to fifteen years of age. They were generally clean and healthy in appearance, and decently clad, though some of the younger children were rather deficient in clothing. They were generally able to converse in English, in which all their instruction is carried on. The older scholars were well advanced in reading, spelling, writing, cyphering, and geography, much more so than could have been anticipated from the time the school has been in operation. The master, however, is quite an enthusaist, and keeps them at work from five to six hours a day, to which they do not seem averse. He was anxious to obtain permission to send his four most forward scholars to St. Stephen's, Auckland, next Christmas, as a reward for diligence, and an incentive to the other boys; but the fact is, his own school is more forward than that of St. Stephen's, though I hope on my return to Auckland, to be able to make some arrangements with the Rev. Mr. Burrowes, by which St. Stephen's may be made a sort of college, from which the most intelligent youths may, when sufficiently educated, pass into the Government or other services. Upon this subject, I will report upon my return to Auckland. Tou will be good enough to observe that, for the reasons stated, Pukepoto is not a school constituted under the Native Schools Acts, but has rather been carried on by the Provincial Government, though assisted by the General Government. I have, <fee, A. H. Russell.
No. 10. The Hon.' the Native Ministeb to the Inspectoe of Schools. Sib,— Auckland, 25th April, 1872. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your report of the 14th ult. respecting the Pukepoto school, which is most interesting, and shows how much can be done by a zealous and enthusiastic person towards promoting education among the Natives. I consider that the young chief Timothy Busby has behaved so well from the beginning in forwarding the school movement, that he should be relieved from his yearly contribution of twenty pounds as salary to the master, especially as he not only feeds and clothes many of the children who attend the school, but has also given an endowment in land. I consider, also, that a departure from the strict letter of the Native Schools Acts of 1867 and 1871, may, in this instance, be made by also granting a sum of fifty pounds for school buildings. I notice your objection on account of the land not being vested in accordance with tho Acts; but in matters of this kind the education of the Native children is the primary point, and if it can be carried out by co-operating with Provincial authorities, no opportunity should be lost of taking advantage of such a chance and of encouraging the progress of education. I have, <_c, ______ m ______^__^^____ i Donald M'Lean, 4
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No. 11. The Inspectoe of Schools to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Sib,— Waimate, Bay of Islands, 27th March, 1872. In my letter of the 13th instant, detailing my proceedings to that date, I stated that I proposed starting on the following day for Kaikohe and Mangakahia. I was, however, weather-bound until the 18th, on which day I proceeded to Kaikohe, where I held a meeting, and discussed the Native school question. The Natives decided to reserve their ultimate conclusion until my return from Mangakahia, when a general meeting of the Natives of the whole district would be held at Waimate. On the 19th I proceeded to Mangakahia, and on that night and the following day held meetings with the Natives, and found them willing to contribute, so far as they were able, to the establishment of a school. They proposed to give the kauri trees required for timber; to draw it to the school site; to find the blocks ; to assist in the erection ; to give five acres as a school site, and to contribute £30 a year towards the schoolmaster's salary. The Government to saw the timber, to erect the school-house, to find all necessary material beyond the timber, and to supplement the sum contributed by themselves with so much as would pay the schoolmaster's salary. As it will require some months to saw and season the timber, the Natives undertook to devote-their runanga house to school purposes until the new school can be completed. i I agreed to their proposals on the part of the Government, and beg to annex the names of the school committee, chairman, proposed trustees, and description of school boundaries. I have, &c, A. H. Russell.
Mangakahia. School Committee.-—Kamariera Wharepapa (chairman), Venerable Archdeacon Edward Clarke, Horomona te Anga, Nga Tarahira Whakapoi, Petuere Rawiki, Te Eangi, Paora Kiwi. Proposed Trustees —Hatawira te Puka, Te Rangi, Venerable Archdeacon Clarke. Boundaries of School District.—Commencing at Hikorangi, thence by a straight line to Kaikou, thence by a straight line to Tautoro, thence by a straight line to Aukumsroa, thence by the southern side of the Mangakahia range to the commencing point.
No. 12. The Inspectoe op Schools to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Waimate, Bay of Islands, Sic,— 28th March, 1872. Having completed arrangements for a school at Mangakahia, as reported in my letter of 27th instant, I returned on the 21st to Kaikohe, thence on the same day to Taheke, near Waima, and on the following day to Eawene (Herd's Point) on the Hokianga Eiver. I proceeded the next day with Mr. Yon Stunner, the Resident Magistrate, to Waitapu, near Hokianga Heads, the proposed site of the school applied for by Wiremu Tana Papahia. That chief was unfortunately away, but the other members of the committee were present, and I arranged with them the following terms, which are substantially those proposed by Wiremu Tana in his application to the Government. Fifteen acres of good land to be conveyed to the trustees as school, site and endowment. A school to be erected by the Natives, to contain fifty (or more) scholars. The Natives to contribute 3s. per quarter for each of forty scholars—certain, and at the same rate for all above that number. The Government to erect a schoolmaster's house at a cost not exceeding £65, and to supplement the Native contribution with such a sum as willpay the schoolmaster's salary, which I have fixed at £80 for the first year, with the promise of £100 afterwards, if the school be a success. This arrangement seemed quite satisfactory to the committee, who propose at once removing a large house which they intend for the school from Eawene to Waitapu. They also nominated for approval as schoolmaster Mr. Fletcher Watkins, whose application you some time since referred to me. The character which I heard of him seemed to justify me in confirming their nomination. He is an educated man, and an experienced and successful teacher, who has been wild, but is now sobered down, with a wife and family; and, being on the spot, can commence work as soon as the school is ready for him. I cannot say that I altogether approve the locality fixed upon, as there is not at present a kainga within a mile of it; but the Natives seem so resolved to remove to its neighbourhood, and to cultivate there, and it seems to be in their estimation so favourable a spot as regards their own local jealousies aDd land questions, that I thought it right to waive my objection. The Natives of Waima and Mangamuka had both expressed to the Resident Magistrate a desire for schools, but now wished to see how that of Waitapu succeeds before taking further action themselves. I imagine this arises as regards Waima from a land complication —a school endowment being in the hands of the Wesleyan body, which the Natives wish (as in the cases of Waerengaahika and Te Aute) to apply to these schools. In the case of Mangamuka, I apprehend the Natives are willing to receive a school or anything else which the Government will pay for, but are scarcely prepared to contribute to it themselves. As I consider it unwise to force on the school movement I have assented to the delay.
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On the 25th I ascended the Hokianga for some miles visiting on my way the old mission station, church, cemetery, See. —all now in a state of abandonment and ruin, as may be said of several other places on the river once occupied. It is painful to see a fine district, containing thousands of acres of fertile land, lying utterly useless to either Native or European, simply because the senseless pride of the Native owners forbids them to part with it. On the 26th I returned to Waimate to attend the general meeting, to be held on the 27th, to arrange for the establishment of schools in this neighbourhood. I beg to annex the names of the school committee, trustees, See., of the Waitapu district. I have, See., A. H. Russell. - P.S.—I hope to be able to return to Auckland by the steamer leaving the Bay of Islands on the 29th instant.
Waitapu. School Committee. —Mr. Spencer Yon Stunner (Chairman), John Hardiman (Native), Wiremu Tana Papahia, Herewini Mangu Mangu. Proposed Trustees. —Wiremu Tana Papahia, Herewini Mangu Mangu, Spencer Yon Stunner. Boundaries of School District. —Commencing at the north head of the Hokianga Eiver ; thence by the coast to the Herekino Eiver ; thence by its south bank to the Manakau ; thence in a straight line to Motu Kauri; thence by the Hokianga Eiver to the commencing point.
No. 13. The Inspectoe of Schools to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Sib,— Auckland, 20th April, 1872. With reference to that paragraph in my Report of 13th ultimo, in which I stated that I had made certain arrangements at Whangaroa, which I thought might be completed by the Resident Magistrate (Mr. Edward Williams) I have *vow the honor to inform you that I have received a letter from that gentleman, stating that, upon his making his usual visit to Whangaroa, the Natives of Kaeo agreed to contribute £30 a year towards the schoolmaster's salary, and to make over the Native church or meeting-house (which has ceased to be used for Divine service), together with the acre on which it stands, provided the Government would refund to them £25, as part of the cost of the meetingi-house. As this was an advance upon the arrangement proposed when I was at Kaeo, Whangaroa, and there seemed to me no good reason why they should receive a re-fund upon a building already erected, and long disused, I declined to comply with their request • but have expressed to Mr. Williams the desire to carry out the arrangement then offered by me, viz., that the Government would make the building habitable, and provide the necessary school furniture; and I have accordingly authorised him to incur an outlay not exceeding £20 in all for those purposes, upon their compliance with the Acts. He also informs me that Kingi Hori Kira and Rewi Hongi, assessors, and chiefs of Te Ngaere, a village on the coast between Whangaroa and the Bay of Islands, desire to have a small court house, erected by Government, employed as a school, and that they are prepared to pay £30 a year towards a master's salary. But as I am not acquainted with the locality (this being the first application) as I apprehend the number of children is small, as it would bo necessary to incur the expense of erecting a master's house, the court house being only twenty feet by fourteen, and unlined, I have informed the Resident Magistrate that I think it should stand over until my next visit, by which time we shall know how far the school at Kaeo has been successful. I have, Sac., A. H. Russell.
No. 14. The Inspectoe op Schools to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Sic,— Auckland, 20th April, 1872. With refeience to that part of my Report, from Waimate, dated 13th March, 1872, in which I stated that I found the Resident Magistrate of the Mangonui District was holding a Land Court near the North Cape, in consequence of which I was unable to meet with him, but that I had written to request him to complete anything I had not been able to finish in his district, I have now the honor to report that he informs me it is very desirable that a school should be established at Parengarenga (near the North Cape), where there are a great number of children in an isolated position, whom he believes to have a particular and interesting claim upon the Government, inasmuch as that they have hitherto been cut off from many advantages which have been open to other Natives. They are most urgent for a school, and offer to erect a building to serve as school and church, and to provide half the schoolmaster's salary, viz., £40 a year, provided the Government will provide the master's house, the remainder of his salary, and furnish the school. I have stated to the Resident Magistrate that I consider their offer very fair, and accept it on the part of the Government, provided the master's house does not cost more than £65, the amount allowed in other cases, but suggesting that it might be better to build a schoolhouse containing the usual
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accommodation for the master, at an expense of £150, in which case the Government would pay half, provided there are fifty children of all ages who would regularly attend school. With respect to that part of my letter (of 13th ultimo) which relates to Ahipara, Mr. White informs me, the Natives on his return from Parengarenga held a meeting, and an agreement was entered into in all respects similar to that at Parengarenga. And they request " the consideration of the Governnent" (otherwise its contribution) towards the sum of £58, which they have contracted to pay for the erection of a school, for which they have already placed the timber on the ground, as reported in my letter above referred to. As they desire to nominate a brother of Mr. Masters, of the Pukepoto school, who lives near Ahipara, no master's house will be necessary, and I have upon that understanding, agreed to furnish one half the cost of erection (viz., £29), upon the usual conditions as to school site, &_., and also to remit from their yearly contribution of £40, so much rent as the Trustees may be able to obtain for the twenty to thirty acres of good land with which they propose to endow the school. I have, „c. A. H. Russell.
No. 15. The Inspectoe of Schools to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Sib,— Auckland, 16th April, 1872. In continuation of my report of the 28th ultimo, from Waimate, I have the honor to inform you that upon that day I held a meeting in the court house of that place, which was attended by all the leading men of the district, including Wiremu Katene, the member for the Northern Native District. I explained at considerable length the intentions of the Legislature and of the Government, as shown by the Acts of 1867 and 1871, and by my instructions, and I invited discussion thereupon, and questions upon any point which they did not fully understand. This was freely responded to, and several chiefs addressed to me frequent questions of a pertinent character. A long discussion ensued, and apparently resulted in a perfect understanding and an appreciation of our wish to join heartily with them in their efforts to educate their children in our language. I arranged with them for the establishment of schools at the following places, viz., Waimate, Pakaraka, Ohaeawai, Kaikohe, Punakitere, and I will state in detail the circumstances under which each is to be constituted. 1. At Waimate. —Some difficulty arose here as to the means of compliance with that requirement of both Acts, that one or more acres should be set aside for a school-site, partly from the difficulty of providing a site sufficiently central to be useful to all the district which they wished to constitute for Waimate, and partly because of their excessive internal jealousy as to land, of which I had this curious evidence, that, with thousands of acres of their own land available and unoccupied, they propose to purchase an acre at a probable cost of £20 from one of the European residents at Waimate. But this will be necessary only in compliance with tho _.ot, for there is in rear of the court-house an excellent building, intended originally for a hostelry, but never now used for any purpose, which is all that can be desired as to central position and adaptability for a school; and I have, at the request of Wiremu Katene and the others interested, and also with the concurrence of Mr. Edward Williams, the Resident Magistrate, authorised the use of that building for the school, whereby the Government will be saved the expense of half the cost of a new building. The committee propose to nominate Mr. James Davis, a son of the late clergyman of that name, as their schoolmaster, whose acquaintance I made, and ascertained that he was duly qualified ; and, being a resident of Waimate, will require no schoolmaster's house to be built for him. The Waimate school will, therefore, be established at very small expense to Government. As regards salary, the Natives undertake to guarantee one shilling each per month for forty children, and at the same rate for all above that number. The Government to make some small alterations, and to find school furniture —the whole not to cost more than £15. Archdeacon Clarke kindly consents to act upon this committee, and to do all in his power to secure the success of the school. Pakaraka.—Here they have a house already erected, forty-eight feet by twenty ; and they propose to make it over with the acre upon which it stands to trustees, in conformity with the Act It is not lined or floored, but I have undertaken to do that, as the contribution of the Government —the expense not to exceed £60, including the dividing off two rooms for the schoolmaster. The contribution towards the master's salary to be the same as at Waimate. Ohaeawai. —They are to give one or more acres, to find all the necessary timber, and to place it on the ground, the Government to find all other material and to erect the school—the expense not to exceed £60. The salary as at Waimate. Mr. Henry Williams is elected chairman. Kaikohe. —They have a kind of township here, and the land is very valuable. They are to make over one acre, and they asked what remission of their contribution (which we fixed upon the same scale for salary as at Waimate) would be made if they gave four additional acres as endowment. I told them for every additional acre, £1 of annual contribution should be remitted; but I understand it might be let by the trustees (for building purposes) at a rate which would probably cover the whole of the Native contribution. The same arrangement as to building was made here as at Ohaeawai. Archdeacon Clarke undertakes the supervision of this school also. Punakitere.—l was much gratified at receiving from the Natives of Punakitere the first offer which I have received of an endowment of land upon such a scale as is to be desired for school purposes. They proposed making over to trustees 100 acres of good land, sufficient, as they believe, to realise a rental equal to the contribution which would otherwise be required from them. I have, as a rule, pointed out to the Natives that a permanent endowment of land to be vested in Trustees (proposed by themselves, and if approved by his Excellency to be appointed by him), would be the easiest, the most
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effectual, and the least vexatious way of providing for the education of their children ; but in this case the offer was spontaneous, and, after careful enquiry on my part, was acceded to. They further agreed to supply the necessary timber for the erection of the school-house upon the same terms as at Ohaeawai, and they elected Mr. James Davis as their chairman. I was not able to enter into contracts before leaving Waimate for carrying out the foregoing arrangements, but I left for the Resident Magistrate, Mr. Edward Williams, the following rough estimate of the sums for which I considered the several schools should be completed, indicating, at the same time, that I did not wish to insist upon them too literally, if they should be found clearly insufficient, but merely desired that the Government should not pay more than would be paid by private persons; and I also suggested that it would be well to let the several chairmen and school committees contract with the carpenters to carry out the work, as they w rou!d be interested in getting it well done, and would be able to superintend its progress. I beg to enclose the names of school committees, chairmen, proposed trustees of school sites, and boundaries of school districts for the several schools already described. I have, &c, A. H. Russell.
BOUGH ESTIMATE OF PEOBABLE EXPENDITUEE FOB SCHOOLS. At Mangakahia ... ... ... ... ... £100 to 120 Waimate ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 Ohaeawai, Kaikohe, Pakaraka, and Punakitere, £60 each ... ... 240 School furniture for five schools, at £10 each ... ... .. ... 50 £415
Pakaeaka (Oeomahoe). School Committee. —Hemi Marupo, Tane Haratua, Henare Pou, Heteraka, Manihera, Himi Pu, Wirimu Pirihonga, Henry Williams (Chairman). Proposed Trustees. —Hetaraka Tauwhitu, Tane Haratua, Henry Williams. Boundaries of School District.—Beginning at Porotu; thence to Wero Wero ; thence to Ngahuha ; thence to Puketotara; thence to Te Ahu ; thence to Ohauparore ; thence to Oromahoe.
Ohaeawai. School Committee. —Heta te Haara, Eruera Waikerepuru, Wiremu Whiu, Henare Hokianga, Hone Horotai, Pene Taui, Henry Williams (Chairman). Proposed Trustees —Eruera Waikerepuru, Wirimu Whiu, Henry Williams. Boundaries of School District. —Commencing at Kanohimaui; thence to Pepehanga; thence to Waitangihuia; thence to Huria; thence to Ipurua ; thence to Eoehau ; thence to Waipukenui; thence to Kaiwhakairi.
Kaikohe. School Committee. —Wiremu Hongi te Ripi (Chairman), Archdeacon Edward Clarke, Hirini Taiwhanga, Hapukiniha te Whai, Tiatoa te Awa, Wiremu te Whareumu, Hepata. Proposed Trustees.—Archdeacon Edward Clarke, Hirini Taiwhanga, Hepata. Boundaries of School District.—Beginning at Te Putahi; thence to Parahirahi, thence to Kotuku; thence to Kirioke ; thence to Kaikohe ; and thence to starting point.
Punakiteee. School Committee. —Komene Poakatahi, Akaripa Haki, Noa Pomare, Te Whata, Hukiki te Whata, Nopere Whitinga, James Davis (Chairman). Proposed Trustees. —Akaripa Haki, Wiremu te Whareumu, Mr. James Davis. Boundaries of School District. —Commencing at Ruatuna ; thence to Otaua , thence to Mataraua ; thence to Komokoreia ; thence following Punakitere River to Ruatuna.
No. IG. The Inspectob of Schools to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Sib,— Napier, 31st May, 1872. With reference to my letter from Auckland, dated 16th April last, I have now the honor to annex the names of the Committee of the Waimate Native School. Also, of the Chairman, Trustees of School site, and boundaries of the proposed Waimate School District. I have, &c, A. H. Russell. 5
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Waimate. School Committee. —Mr. Marsden Clarke (Chairman), Hone Karahina, Pirini te Eiwha, Hcremaia Pirika, Hare Naapia, Mihaka Pehiriri, Hone Tarawau. Proposed Trustees of School Site. —Hare Wirikake, Hone Peti, Archdeacon Edward Clarke. Boundaries of proposed School District. —Commencing at Mangataraire, thence to W. Hau's place at Waitangi, thence to Matatewhaa, thence to Whangai-Makariri, thence to Wharengarahu, thence to Pateretere, thence to Weranga, thence to Te Urupa, thence to Pimiro, thence to Tangatapu, thence to Whareoparetiki, thence to Earakareao, thence to Tokakopuru, thence to Waimimiti, thence toWaitaiki, thence to Te Ngako, thence to Haowhenua, thence to Ngakihakiha, thence to Puataraire, along Mr. Clarke's boundary to Mapukaroro, thence to Tapahuarua to Mr. H. Williams' boundary thence to Waikaramu, thence to Paremata, back to starting point.
No. 17. The Inspectoe of Schools to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Sic,— Poverty Bay, 6th February, 1872. I have the honor to transmit herewith the names of members of the several School Committees elected upon the East Coast, viz.: Turanganui, Whakato, Tuparoa, Waiapu. Also, the names of the Trustees, whom they submit to His Excellency the Governor for the several school sites so soon as surveys shall have been made, and the land (where necessary) shall have been passed through the Native Land Court. Also, of the boundaries of the several School Districts, for publication in the Kahiti, as required by clause 6 of " The Native Schools Act, 1867." I have, See., A. H. Russell. N.B. —Similar returns will be forwarded for LTawa, Tolago Bay, and Tokomaru as soon a* received. A. H. R.
Whakato. Names of School Committee. —Major C. Westrupp (Chairman), Mr. F. G. Skipworth, Hirini te Kani, Hapi Kiniha, Hami Mataora, Paora Kati, Rutene Ahunuku. Names of proposed Trustees of School Site. —Tamehana Ruatapu, F. G. Skipworth. Proposed Boundaries of Whakato School District. —Commencing at the mouth of the Waipaoa River, thence by the coast line to Paritu, thence by a straight line bearing west 30 ° 30' north for a distance of ten miles, thence by a straight line to the junction of the Waikohu and Waipaoa Rivers,, thence by the Waipaoa Eiver to its outlet to the sea, at the commencing point.
Waiapu. Names of School Committee.—J. H. Campbell, R.M. (Chairman), Hohepa, Hoani Ngatai, Hotene Tunanui, Eev- Mohi Turei, Rutene, Ruka. Names of proposed Trustees of School Sites. —Hoani Ngatai, Hotene Tunanui, Tiopira. Proposed Boundaries of Waiapu School District. —Commencing at Te Karaka, thence in a straightline to Kakariki, thence to Turitaka. to Pukemaire, to Tikitiki, to Rangitukia, to Mangati; thence to Awanui, to Taumata, to Te Hatepe ; thence to the commencing point at Te Karaka.
Tupaeoa. Names of School Committee. —In consequence of the wife of the Eev. Eaniera being in a dying state, he desired to suspend the election of the School Committee and Trustees of School Site until he could give his attention to the subject. I will forward them as soon as obtained. He is the leading chief, both by rank and position, as I am informed, and is very anxious for the establishment of these schools. A. H. R. Names of proposed Trustees of School Site.- —(As above). Proposed Boundaries of Tuparoa School District. —Commencing at the southern boundary of the Waiapu School District, at Te Karaka ; thence south to Awatere, to Reporua, to Whareponga, to Mataahu, to Waipiro, to Waikawa; thence west to Heperone, to Oruru, to Popoti; thence north to Taumata, to Omihi, to Manutahi, to Kakariki; thence east to Karaka, the commencing point.
TUEANGA-NUI. Names of School Committee. —Dr. Ncsbitt, R.M. (Chairman), Captain Porter, Wi Pere, Kerehona, Rutene Piwaka, Hare Wahie, Rev. Hare Tawha. Names of proposed Trustees of School Site.—Hirini Te Kani, Rutene Teeke. Proposed boundaries of Turanga-nui School District. —Commencing at Gable End Foreland; thence by a straight line bearing west 30 ° north, for a distance of ten miles ; thence by a straight line bearing west 24 ° south to a point on the Waipara Eiver, at the junction of the Waikohu and Waipaoa Eivers; thence by the Waipaoa River to its outlet to the sea ; thence by the coast line to the commencing point. ______________________
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No. 18. The Inspectoe of Schools to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Moorland's, Napier, Sib, — Bth January, 1872, The accompanying letter from the Resident Magistrate of Poverty Bay, with its enclosure from the Bishop of Waiapu, has re-called my attention to the debates in the Legislative Council last Session, upon the Religious, Educational, and Charitable Endowments Bill, when a Committee was appointed upon my motion to investigate the subject. But, after several long discussions, it was found so impossible to mould the Bill introduced by the Hon. Mr. Sewell (compiled from an English Act, not suitable to the circumstances of this Colony) into a form in which it would be likely to pass, that it was tacitly allowed to lapse. But I already find, without going beyond this Province, that considerable dissatisfaction exists as to the administration of the lands which have been granted by the Natives to Trustees for the education of Native and half-caste children. These lands appear to have been given very liberally, and if well administered, would be a most valuable supplement to the provision made by the General Assembly for Native education. For instance, the endowment spoken of in Dr. Nesbitt's letter might, I have little doubt, be made to bear half the cost of school buildings, and half the salaries of masters for the two schools which the Natives are anxious to establish, and in a year or two should be sufficient to bear the whole cost. In other parts of the Island, also, there are very valuable endowments which only require looking after In the very valuable "Third Eeport" of the Commissioners appointed on tho 3rd February, 1869, to investigate this subject, I find the following recommendation (Page 4.) : —" With respect to all the above Estates and Institutions, as well as to the few which have been attended with success, the Commissioners recommend that a Commissioner should be appointed, to whom all Trustees should in the month of April in every year furnish reports, showing the condition of the trusts and the degree in which the objects for which they were created are being effected, together with a balance-sheet, showing all the receipts and expenditure, asssets and liabilities, connected with the Trusts during the previous year • such Commissioner to cause the accounts to be audited, and to send in a Eeport annually, in time for presentation to both Houses of Legislature." I believe that if you thought it desirable to carry out this recommendation of the Commissioners, much good might be effected before the next meeting of the Assembly ; and as I believe I could, whilst visiting the several localities, and enquiring into school management, also enquire into the management of those endowments, and encourage the Trustees to turn them to account, I beg to offer my services if you think they could be beneficially employed. I have, Sec., A. H. Russell.
Enclosure in No. 18. The Eesident Magisteate, Poverty Bay to the Inspectoe of Schools. Sib,— Gisborne, 15th December, 1871. Having ascertained from the enclosed letter, dated Napier, 12th December, from Mr Locke, that communications relative to Native Schools are in the future to be made to you, I have the honor to state that the Committees of Management of the Native schools in this district are under the impression that it is not necessary that a collection should be made by the Natives for the purpose of building school houses. They think that the school endowment is so valuable, and so immediately available, that the Government would be justified in commencing the work at once, having such ample security for the repayment of any expenses they may incur in the first instance. I may add that the Natives are very anxious that the school-houses should be commenced at once ; and I fear that the necessity for collecting any large sum for that purpose now would lead to considerable delay. The land for both school-houses has already been allotted by the Committees, and we only await the authority of the Government to commence operations. Will you be good enough to favor the Committees with your decision on the matter as soon as convenient. I think you have in your possession all the information at present obtainable here. I have See., W. K. Nesbitt, R.M., Member of Gisborne Native School Committee.
Sub-Enclosure 1 in No. 18. S. Locke, Esq., Napier, to the Eesident Magisteate, Poverty Bay. Sic, — Napier, 12th December, 1871. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd October, in reply to mine of the 31st August, with memorandum by the Bishop of Waiapu enclosed, having reference to the erection of Maori Schools in Poverty Bay, under " The Native Schools Act, 1867," and " Amendment Act, 1871." I observe that a committee of management has been formed in accordance with the Acts above referred to, but before any arrangement can be finally arrived at it will be necessary for the Committee
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to meet and consider how much can be collected towards the building, &c, in accordance with clause 8 ol " The Native Schools Act, 1867," and to inform the Government accordingly. In the Report of the Commission of Enquiry into condition and nature of Trust Estates, for religious, charitable, and educational purposes, it is stated that there are 593 acres for school purposes at Waerenga-a-hika, but no mention is made of any lands at Whakato as being set apart for that purpose. Since the commencement of schools in the East Coast District, under " The Native Schools Act, 1867," Colonel Eussell has been appointed Inspector of Native Schools for this Island, and it is with him all correspondence in reference to this question will in future be carried on. I have forwarded your letter of 23rd October, with the Bishop of Waiapu's memorandum, to Colonel Russell. I have, &c, S. Locke.
Sub-Enclosure 2 in No. 18. The Resident Magisteate, Poverty Bay, to S. Locke, Esq., Napier. Sic,— Gisborne, 23rd October, 1871. I have the honor, in reply to your letter of the 31st August, relative to Native Schools in this district, to state that hitherto there has been a difficulty in establishing schools, as the Natives did not see their way to handing over a block of land as an endowment. Within the last few days I have had a conversation with tho Bishop of Waiapu, on the subject, and he informs me that Waerenga-a-hika has already been given by the Natives as an endowment for school purposes, and there appears to be no difficulty in carrying out the original intentions under the Native Schools Act. I enclose a memorandum of the Bishop's on the subject. It appears to me that this is a very valuable endowment, and that, on its being made available, the Government would be justified in at once advancing the sums necessary for building two schoolhouses. Two acres have been given by the Natives at Gisborne. The Bishop has kindly offered to give two acres at Whakato, the other side of the river, so that if the Government can arrange with the Bishop so as to get possession of Waerenga-a-hika, operations may be commenced at once. I shall be happy to try and carry out any further instructions you may favor me with. I have, Sec., W. K. Nesbitt.
Sub-enclosure 3 in No. 18. Memoeandum bt the Bishop of Waiapu. A site has been given on the east side of the river at Turanganui, in a suitable position, to contain two acres, in accordance with the terms of the Native Schools Act. A Committee has been appointed by the Natives to consist of the following persons : —Dr. Nesbitt, Mr. Skipworth, Rutene Piwaka, Hone Te Rangianiwa, Hare Wahie, Henere Ruru, AViremu Pere. The estate at Waerenga-a-hika was given for the support of a school for Natives. It was leased two years ago at a low rental, in consequence of the disturbed state of the country. The rent was five shillings an acre, that is, £150 for the whole block, with this proviso, that the first year's rent should be spent — 1. Upon the repairs of the dwelling-house, according to an estimate agreed upon. 2. Upon the repair of the fence to render it sufficient against the passage of sheep. The rent of the second year might also be required in the whole, or in part, for the same purpose. At the expiration of the third year it is presumed that the rental will be greatly increased, so that there will be a considerable income for the support of the schools of Turanga. These rents are subject to a reduction for money borrowed by the Bishop, to the extent of £500, more or less, but the Bishop is not able to speak definitely, not having his papers here. The Natives on the opposite side of the Bay, at Whakato, wish also to have a similar school established. They are ready to give over the two acres of land required by the Act, and will also appoint a Committee, according to the terms of the Act. It is presumed that funds from the Waerenga-a-hika estate will also be available for this second school.
No. 19. The Resident Magisteate, Waiapu, to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Sib,— Waiapu, 26th December, 1871. I have the honor to inform you that by the " Tawera'" from Auckland last week I received the parchment deeds, dated respectively the 22nd day of February, 1862, and the 2nd of July, 1862, and signed by certain leading chiefs of Ngatiporou, duly attested, conveying to Her Majesty, her heirs, the Kings and Queens who may succeed her, and their assigns for ever, two pieces of land .situated in this district, one consisting of some two or three hundred acres, on which this house is
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built; the other, the boundaries of which are defined in the deed, but the exact acreage of which I cannot at present state, for the purpose of school endowment. I heard some time ago of the existence of these deeds, but, although I made every enquiry at Wellington and Auckland I could get no trace of them. Two months ago I requested a brother-in-law of the late Mr. Baker, R.M., of Waiapu, who was going to Auckland, to ascertain from Mrs. Baker, widow of the late R.M., whether they might possibly be among any family papers. They were found and immediately forwarded to me. I shall be glad to receive instructions with regard to these parchments. I understand that Mr. Ormond is shortly to visit this coast. It might be well to hand them over to him. I have, &c, J. H. Campbell, R.M.
No. 20. The Assistant Undeb-Seceetaby, Native Office, to the Resident Magisteate, Waiapu. Native Office, Wellington, Sib,— 19th January, 1872. Referring to your letter of December 26th, on the subject of two parchment deeds signed by leading chiefs of Ngatiporou, conveying lands to the Crown, I have the honor, by direction of Mr. M'Lean, to request you to cause copies of the deeds to be made for record in your office, and transmit the originals to Wellington. Tou are requested to furnish the name of the person who forwarded the deeds to you. I have, See., H. Halse, Assistant Under-Secretary.
No. 21. The Resident Magisteate, Waiapu, to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Sic, Waiapu, 15th February, 1872. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 19th January, and, according to instructions, I forward by this mail the two deeds of land at Waiapu. I have ascertained from Morgan and others that the Manutahi block contains between one and two thousand acres. It is impossible to know accurately as it has not been surveyed. Being good land, it may prove a valuable support to schools if well let. The deeds were found by Mr. Green, of Auckland, father-in-law of the late Mr. Baker, among some other papers. Colonel Eussel met with a very good reception from the Natives, and the work of school building will be proceeded with as soon as the necessary materials can be landed from Auckland. Any report of mine on the subject at present would only be a recapitulation of former proceedings reported six months ago. Hick's Bay, Waiapu, Tuparoa, and Tokomaru will be the school districts for the present, and are likely, I should suppose, to prove sufficient for the future. I have, Sec., J. H. Campbell, EM.
No. 22. The Resident Magisteate, Opotiki, to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Sic,— Opotiki, 14th February, 1872. I have the honor to inform you that, in accordance with verbal instructions which I received from Mr. Commissioner Clarke, immediately on my arrival here I endeavored to direct the attention of the Whakatohea Natives to the establishment of a Native school. On tho sth instant, at Waiawa, T conversed with a considerable number of Natives, including the principal chiefs of Whakatohea on this subject. I explained to them that the Government would expect them to bear a portion of the cost of erecting a building for this purpose ; they, however, complain of being badly off, of their crops having failed, &c, and state that they could not raise their share of the cost, unless, indeed, they were employed on public works: in which case, they say they would set apart a portion of their earnings for this purpose. This plan, however, would involve delay. Under these circumstances, they have asked me to submit to you the following proposal:—That two buildings be erected; I—-A school-house forty feet by sixteen feet, capable of accommodating about eighty children ; 2—A cottage for the schoolmaster, the size of this to depend on the fact of bis being married or not, &c. The Natives propose to erect one of these houses (say the first) themselves; the building to be a Native one of raupo, the posts to be of totara, and the inside lined with reeds, and finished in the best and most substantial Native manner; the Government to find doo-r, windows, flooring, and fittings for the building. The other building they propose should be erected of timber, at the cost of the Government. The Natives would also find house-blocks for the timber building, fencing for the school reserve; if required, 6
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would cart timber or other material from Opotiki to the proposed site, and would assist in any other way to the best of their ability. They propose to set apart a site at Omarumutu, about five miles from Opotiki, which appears to me to be a suitable one, and is centrally situated. I beg respectfully to recommend that this proposal of the Whakatohea Natives be approved of; but in the event of its not meeting with your approval, I have the honor to request that I may be informed of the wishes of the Government in the matter. I may add that the Natives assume that the Government are willing to pay the schoolmaster's salary. I have, &c., Heebeet W. Beabant, R.M.
No. 23. The Hon. the Native Ministee to the Resident Magisteate, Opotiki. Sic,— Opotiki, 15th April, 1872. Referring to your letter of the 14th February last, in reference to a school for the Whakatohea children at Omarumutu, I quite concur in the necessity that exists for the erection of such a school, and will, when the Natives give a necessary site of not less than two acres for the school, be prepared to accept the contributions in work and material offered by them as forming the contribution required by the Native Schools Acts, 1867-71. In relaxing the provisions of these Acts, I have been influenced by the consideration of the poor condition of the Natives, and losses sustained by them during the war, and I hope that you will impress upon them that they are expected from time to time, as their means improve, to give more substantial contributions than those now offered. Having obtained the site, you will at once contract for the necessary buildings, upon which you are authorized to expend a sum not exceeding £250. I have Sec., Donald McLean.
No. 24. The Hon. the Native Ministeb to the Resident Magisteate, Opotiki. Sic,— Opotiki, 15th April, 1872. With reference to your letter of the 14th ultimo, in which you state that the Natives assume that the Government will pay the schoolmaster's salary, I have the honor to inform you that the Rev. James Martin, who has had experience in education, will take charge of the school which is to be established at Omaramutu, or whatever spot may be fixed. I have, See., Donald M'Lean.
No. 25. H. T. Kemp, Civil Commissioner's Office, Auckland, to the Undee Seceetaet, Native Office, Wellington. Civil Commissioner's Office, Sic, — Auckland, 21st December, 1871. I have the honor to forward herewith, for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister, copy of a letter received from the Hon. Colonel Russell, on the subject of the establishment of Native schools, together with my reply. Also copy of letter addressed by me to various officers and clergymen in the Auckland district. I have, &c, H. T. Kemp.
Enclosure 1 in No. 25. The Inspectoe of Schools to the Civil Commissionee, Auckland. Moorlands, Napier, Sib,— 28th November, 1871. Having been requested by the Government to inspect and report upon the schools established or to be established under the Native Schools Acts of 1867 and 1871,1 propose to visit those upon the East Coast as early in the year as possible, in the following order:—Turanganui, Waiapu, Opotiki, Whakatane, Tauranga, Auckland, Thames, Whangarei, Bay of Islands, Kaitaia, Mangonui, See. As I fear the demands upon the services of the " Luna" will limit my time at each place, I give you this early notice that you may have time to make any necessary arrangements as regards the preliminary meetings, for the purpose of constituting educational districts by consent of a majority of Native adult inhabitants, providing proportion of funds for the erection of school and masters' houses, and for the yearly income of the master, for the election by the meeeting of a School Committee, and by the Committee of their Chairman. Also, for the recommendation to the Governor of Trustees, for setting aside sites for school and masters' houses (and, if they desire it, of land for the endowment of the school).
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I should be glad, also, if you should be able to recommend any persons whom you may think qualified to carry out the views of Government as teachers in village schools. I find the natives generally very anxious to have their children taught English, and I am desirous of knowing where to put my hand upon fitting teachers. I will write again when I am able to give you more precise information, and I should like, if possible, to put the schools at once in motion when I visit you. I have, &c, A. H. Russell. P.S. —This refers chiefly to applications from Opotiki, Whakatane, Tauranga, Thames, Eoto-iti and Mangakahia, as well as many other localities within your district, where you conceive the intentions of the Government can be well carried out. A. H. E.
Enclosure 2 in No. 25. H. T. Kemp, Civil Commissioner's Office, Auckland, to the Inspectoe of Schools. Civil Commissioner's Office, Sic, — Auckland, 20th December, 1871. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt this day of your letter of 28th November, in anticipation of an early visit to the districts in the North, with reference to the organization of Native schools under the Acts of 1867 and 1871, respectively, and I have the pleasure to inform you that letters have been addressed to the principal officers and other clerical gentlemen in the district, suggesting that no time should be lost in making the preliminary arrangements set forth in your letter. I have also forwarded a copy to the Civil Commissioner at Tauranga, who will cause the necessary arrangements to be made in the Bay of Plenty district; and would venture at the same time, on my own part, to suggest that a reasonably sufficient length of time be allowed for carrying out those arrangements, as it J_ay be fairly assumed that the approaching holidays will leave but little leisure for the efficient working out of the plan proposed. I have, <fee, H. T. Kemp, Acting Civil Commissioner.
Enclosure 3 in No. 25. H. T. Kemp to the Eev. C. Schnackenbeeg, Eaglan. Civil Commissioner's Office, Sic, — Auckland, 20th December, 1871. I do myself the honor to forward for your information and guidance the enclosed copy of a letter received from the Inspector of Native Schools, together with my reply, and beg leave at the same time to recommend the subject to your early consideration, with a view to the establishment of efficient Native schools within your district under the provisions of the Acts of 1867 and 1871 respectively. I have, &c, H. T. Kemp.
Similar letters to Rev. R. Burrows, Auckland; E. M. Williams, Bay of Islands; W. N. Searancke, Waikato; S. Yon Stunner, Hokianga; E. W. Puckey, Thames; Archdeacon Clarke, Mangakahia :H. it. Aubrey, Whangarei; W. B. White, Mangonui; J. Rogan, Kaipara; Rev. W. Rouse, Hokianga.
No. 26. H. T. Kemp to the Undee-Seceetabi", Native Department. Civil Commissioner's Office, Sib, — Auckland, 16th January, 1872. In reference to my letter of 21st December last, I have the honor to state, for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister, that copies of Colonel Russell's letter on the subject of Native Schools, together with my reply, have since been forwarded to the following gentlemen, viz.: —Right Rev. Bishop Cowie, Right Rev. Bishop Croke, Rev. F. Gould, Rev. J. Buller, Rev. J. Gittos, Rev. G. Maunsell. I have also to request that you will be good enough to cause a few copies of the Native Schools Acts of 1867 and 1871 (two dozen copies of each at least) to be forwarded to this office, as applications are constantly made for them by clergymen interested in the establishment of Native schools. I have, &c, H. T. Kemp.
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No. 27. H. T. Kemp to the Undee-Secbetaet, Native Department. Civil Commissioner's Office, Sic, — Auckland, 23rd January, 1872. In further reference to my letter of 16th instant, I have the honor to forward herewith, for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister, copies of letters received in this office on the subject of Native schools. I have, See., H. T. Kemp.
Enclosure 1 in No. 27. Bishop's Court, Dear Sir, — Auckland, 6th January, 1872. I have to-day received the copy, which you were so good as to send me, of a letter received from the Inspector of Native Schools, and of your answer to the same, for which I am much obliged to you. Tours, &c, W. G. Auckland, Bishop.
Enclosure 2 in No. 27. Fbiend Kemp,— Te Kohe Kohe, 3rd January, 1872. Salutations to you. I have received a letter from Mr. Searancke, informing me of the receipt of a letter from you with reference to the establishment of Native Schools in the Waikato, and in which the Government promise to pay for the building of the school-house and the house for the residence of the teacher, while the Natives are to make their contributions in a piece of land, on which the school is to stand. Mr. Searancke has also said that if we like to build one here we may do so. Now, I am quite willing that a school should be built here at the Kokekohe, but should like first to know how many acres of land would be required for this purpose, and will the Government undertake entirely the building of the school-house and the house for the teacber, and will no more than the land be expected from the Maoris ? Let me know exactly, so that I may be able to make a clear statement to the people of this place. Let me know quickly the reply to these enquiries. Na Wi Te Wheoeo.
Enclosure 3 in No 27. The Rev. F. Gould to Daniel Pollen, Esq., General Government Agent. Sic, — Parsonage, Otahuhu, 9th January, 1872. The accompanying memorials from Aperahama and Te Eore have been drawn up after the Natives had been told the conditions of the Native Schools Act of 1867. The Natives are very desirous of having the benefits of a school established among them, and appear to understand the advantage to their children through the system of giving instruction in English. These memorials are the first step made by them in accordance with the Act. The terms, however, of the Act are such that, if carried out in every particular, a long time must be expected to elapse before a school can be actually established. It would be a great boon to the Natives if the Government would consent to pay in each case one year's salary (which should not be less than £160) for an approved teacher, and about £20 to procure stationery and temporary school fittings. By this plan the school can be commenced as soon as fit teachers can be secured—temporary accommodation for school and teacher being provided by the Natives. This encouragement from the Government would stimulate the Natives, and it may be presumed that by the end of the year the permanent arrangements for the schools will have been made. I visit the Kaipara about four times a year, and shall be happy to do anything in my power towards helping the Government to secure to the Natives of that district the benefits of education. I am, Sec, Feank Gould.
Enclosure 4 in No. 27. Kaihu, Wairoa, Kaipara, To the Seceetaet, — 15th December, 1871. Friend, salutations to you. We have seen the Schools Acts of 1867, and we are willing to have schools established here for our children at Te Taita, Opaneke, Waipoua, Waimamaku. That is all. From your loving friends, Te Robe Taoho, and 22 others.
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Enclosure 5 in No. 27. Feiend the Seceetaet, — Aratapu, 16th December, 1871. Salutations to you. We have seen the Schools Acts of 1867, and a piece of land has been set apart for a school. We are willing to have schools established here for our children at Te Aratapu, Te Kopuru, Oruariki, Opango, &c. From your loving friends, Apeeahama Taonui Henaee Taeamoeeou And 7 others.
No. 28. The Hon. the Native Ministeb to the Resident Maoisteate, Hokianga. Native Office, Sib,— Wellington, 27th October, 1871. With reference to your letter of 17th June, 1871, informing me of the offers made by Wiremu Tana Papahia for the establishment of a school at Hokianga, I have the honor to request you to apprise that chief that I consider his proposals very liberal, and that I feel very desirous they should be carried into effect with as little delay as possible. Tou will inform him that my absence from Wellington, and the press of business consequent on the meeting of the Assembly, have prevented a reply being sent earlier. With regard to the necessary action to be taken, I have to refer you to the " Native Schools Act, 1867," (a copy of which is forwarded herewith), and to request you will explain its provisions to Wiremu Papahia. Tou will observe that the first requisite step is that a considerable number of the Native adults are to memorialize the Colonial Secretary for the establishment of a school, specifying the limits of a district; a meeting will then be called by the Colonial Secretary, and if at this a majority declare their wish that their district shall be constituted an educational one, and are willing to assist in the expenses, it is to elect a committee of not less than three, or more than seven (the majority being Natives), who will choose a chairman and report to the Colonial Secretary. This Committee of Management is to be elected annually, and to carry on the school under the provisions of the Act, and under such regulations as may from time to time be issued. After the receipt of the above Report, the Governor has the power to subsidize the buildings, &c, but not before. In tho case in point, the offers made do away with the necessity of considering the proportion to be borne by the Government for tho erection of a school-house, and the latter arc prepared to comply with the request that they should build the teacher's residence. It must, however, be clearly understood that the endowment of 15 (fifteen) acres as proposed, is to be vested in Trustees, as laid down in Section 2 of Clause 8. On the endowment being settled, the Government will appoint a married schoolmaster, defray his salary, and provide books, Ac. Tou will have the goodness to explain to the Natives the provisions contained in Claues 10, 11, 12, and 21, relative to the method of collecting subscriptions, of making payments, and to the obligation that the English language shall be taught. In conclusion, I have to request you to urge the speedy convening of the preliminary meeting, in order that tenders may be called for at once for the erection of the teacher's house. I have, &c, Donald M'Lean.
No. 29. The Resident Magisteate, Hokianga, to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Resident Magistrate's Court, Sic, — Hokianga, 16th December, 1871. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, of the 27th of October last, with reference to the establishment of a school in this district, under the '' Native Schools Act, 1867," and in reply beg to state that I fully explained the Act to Wi Tana Papahia, and others, and that a meeting was called for the purpose of sending an answer to your letter. And a reply was forwarded to you by the last post, signed by the whole of the Natives present, (owing to a severe attack of illness I was unable to attend the meeting). I have since ascertained that the number of children represented by tho signatures to that letter will be upwards of sixty (60), between the ages of six and sixteen years. The piece of land set apart for the reserve is a portion of the Otuaka block, which has been surveyed and passed through the Native Land Court, and is well situated on the banks of the river, and admirably suited for a homestead, being rich land, with a constant supply of water. I have, Sec, Spencee Yon Stuemee, ■ Resident Magistrate.
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No. 30. Wi Tana Papahia, and 40 others, to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Hokianga, 6th December, 1871. Feiend, Me. M'Lean — Salutations to you. We have seen your letter to Mr. Yon Stunner relating *o schools, and we now consent to hand over a piece of land fifteen acres in extent, at Te Waitapu, as an endowment for the school, at any time that the Government may think fit. The boundaries of this reserve (gift) for the school commence at the mouth of the Hokianga river on the North side, along the Western bank to Herekino, then to its source, where it turns to Motu Kauri, down to the river, and on to the mouth, the point of commencement. The persons whom we have appointed as a committee to arrange about this are Mr. Yon Stunner, Wi Tana Papahia, Herewini Mangu Mangu, Hone Harimana. Mr. Yon Stunner to be chairman. That is all. From your friends, Wiremu Tana Papahia Manuera Herewini Mangumangu Pori Whira lahu Ngawaka Tehura Anipara Tipene (H.C) Tamati Alex. Boyce (H.C.) Mikahere Noki Karena Te ma tiu Eev. Piripi Patiki Matiu Henare Mangumangu Eitete Eemika Te Tai Wirihana Te Tai Papahia Paora Tia Pakeke Peneharara Kaperieri Eikihana Paraihe Tere Eapakoru HemiTiki Wikiripi Hapita Matakike Mihaka Petera Kahika Henare Marumoko Eihari Mita Hui Hohapata Mita Hana Himi Eewi Ngataierua Tupakihe.
No. 31. The Eesident Magisteate, Upper Whanganui, to the Undee-Seceetaet Native Department. Eesident Magistrate's Office, Sik,— Whanganui, 11th May, 1872. I would ask for authority to employ a surveyor of the Native Land Court to survey and map out the piece of land agreed to be given by Whanganui Natives as an endowment for a Native school, in order that a regular Trust Deed may be executed by the owners thereof, as ascertained by the Court; a course necessary to adopt before expending any Government money on the land in the shape of buildings, &c. I have been offered thirty acres by the chief Horima, at Maramara-totatara, about seventeen miles up this river, as a site for a school; but I shall accept Hakaria's offer of a much larger piece of land just above Parikino, twenty-six miles up the river, as it contains about two hundred (200) acres, and is in every way a most eligible site for the purposes required. It will also be advisable to have plans and specifications prepared at once of the necessary buildings, and a translation sent me of the different dimensions of timber required, in order that the Natives may furnish their quota of same, as may hereafter be agreed upon. I have, &c, E, W. Woon, E.M.
No 32. The Eesident Magisteate, Upper Whanganui, to the Assistant Undee-Sceetaet, Native Office. Eesident Magistrate's Office. Sic,— Whanganui, Bth July, 1872. I have the honor to forward a tracing of the Parikino Native Educational Native Eeserve, together with Mr. Monro's report on survey, Sec, along with an application by Hakaria to be forwarded to Judge Smith. I also beg to enclose Mr. Monro's account for approval. I have, See., Richabd W. Woon, R.M.
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Enclosure in No. 32. D. H. Moneo, Surveyor, to the Resident Magisteate, Upper Whanganui. Sic,— Whanganui, 3rd July, 1872. I have the honor of enclosing a tracing of my survey of the Educational Reserve, Parikino, together with an application to the Native Land Court, and my account, the latter under the contract terms approved by the Hon. the Native Minister ; under which I have done other surveys in connection with the purchase of Native lands by the General Government. There is some excellent land on the bank of the river, which will not require much clearing, and having a good deal of grass already on it; the balance is for the most part tolerably flat manuka land at a high level, also easily cleared. Where bush exists, it is of the Dest description for firewood, manuka, ake, rau, See. The enclosed application requires the signature of one of the applicants, either of them will do, and should then he forwarded to Thos. 11. Smith, Esq., Judge, N.L.C., Wellington. I have, Sec, Donald Hugh Moneo, Surveyor under Native Land Acts.
No. 33. The Resident Magisteate, Mangonui, to the Hon. the Native Ministek. Resident Magistrate's Office, Sic,— Mongonui, 22nd March, 1872. I have the honor to report that the Natives at Parengarenga propose to the Government to establish a school for their children, who are numerous. They will contribute sufficient timber to build a room twenty feet by thirty feet, eight feet studs, with three windows on each side, a large window at one end and a door at the other; this building to be used also as a church. Also, as by document attached, No. f,to contribute £40 per annum towards the salary of a teacher, and make over an allotment or two of land for the benefit of the school, if the Government will build a house for the teacher, pay an equal sum towards the salary of teacher, and, for the present at least, furnish the school with books, maps, &c. At Ahipara the resolution arrived at was similar in every respect (see document No. 2) as to salary. Perfect agreement as to making over a piece of land. With regard to the school-room, it appears they have entered into a contract with Mr. R. Matthews to erect a church. The timber has been collected on the spot, and a sum of £58 is to be paid for its erection. It is therefore proposed to turn this into a school-house, as at Parengarenga—indeed, all the resolutions are similar; but it was universally urged that the Government would contribute somewhat towards the sum of £58, which had to be collected for the building of the church and school. I did not until after reaching Kaitaia know what Colonel Russell proposed to do, as it appears he only met Te Morenga at Ahipara, who could give no account of what hud taken place. 1 think, therefore, it would be my duty to write to Colonel Russell on this subject, as I presume he is empowered to establish these schools. I have been long endeavouring to move the JNatives to some action. I trust, therefore, the Government will be enabled to confirm what I have done in this matter. I am quite convinced that there are no two places in the North where schools are more likely to be well supported, there being a large number of children. I should state that there are several well -qualified young men in the district who have intimated to me a desire to be employed as teachers. I have, Sea., W. B. White, Resident Magistrate.
Enclosure 1 in No. 33. Parengarenga, 11th March, 1872, Feiend, Me. White, — We agree to have a school established for our children at our place. We will give the teacher £40 a year. This is all. From your loving friends, Hemi Taitimu Hetaraka Hemi Euamakutu Niutaua te Mahia / Hatarana Whakaruru Harawira Houtaevva Wiki Riwhi and twenty-six (26) others.
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PAPERS RELATING TO NATIVE SCHOOLS.
Enclosure 2 in No. 33. Eeiend, Me. White,— 19th March, 1872. This is a word we have to say to you about establishing a school at Ahipara. This is our idea. We will erect a church, to be used as school-house and our church. We will also collect money for the teacher to the amount of £40 a year. Tou must supplement this sum, that is, the Government must. But the house for the teacher, you must see to that; we could not manage it. Another thing is, we have given a piece of land for the school. From us, the chiefs of Ahipara, Timoti Puhipi Waka Rangaunu Taipari Maihi te Huhu Kingi Wiremu Wharewhare Hohepa Poutama Hare Nepia Kihiringi.
No. 34. The Inspectoe of Schools to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Sic,— Wellington, 31st August, 1872. In continuation of my Report, dated Wellington, 25th July, 1872, I have the honor to report that I left Wellington for Otago on the 20th instant, arriving at Dunedin on the 22nd. After consulting with Mr. Watt, R.M., the gentleman in charge of Native interests in Otago, I proceeded, on the 23rd, to East Taiari and Tokomairiro, and inspected the school at the former place, kept by Miss Christie. I found the names of eleven pupils on the books, of whom nine were present in the school, in company with a somewhat larger number of European children, from whom they were scarcely to be distinguished. Their ages wore from four to twelve years, their appearance healthy and cleanly, and their progress in learning, such as was te be expected from their age, and the time that they had been attending school. They seemed to be attached to their teacher, by whom they appear to be treated with great kindness and gentleness. She receives but £4 per annum per pupil, for the average attendance, and I do not think a better arrangement could be made for their instruction,, as Miss Christie's school is in the neighbourhood of their Native reserve and kainga, and she seems to have their confidence. Returning on the 24th instant to Dunedin, I consulted with Mr. Watt as to the propriety of my visiting the schools in Southland, viz., those at Ruapuke, in Foveaux Strait, and Riverton, on the main land, when I was informed by him that he had, by your instruction, himself inspected those schools since your recent visit to Dunedin, and as the expense to Government had been from £20 to £30, it did not appear to me necessary that I should again incur so great an outlay after so short an interval, and, having telegraphed for your instructions, was informed that it was not considered necessary. On the 26th instant I accompanied Mr. Watt to tho chief settlement of the Natives at Otago Heads. The school is under charge of Mr. Walker, an experienced master, who receives a salary of £130 a year for himself, and £20 a year for his wife, who instructs the female pupils in needlework. There is a Church reserve, upon which the church, the school, and the schoolmaster's house are situated. The two former were originally built by the Natives, but the sum of £286 has been subsequently granted to erect the house, and to add to and improve the school. The reserve consists of ten acres. A small outlay of about £10 for school furniture, and £5 for painting the school is at present necessary, but I understood Mr. Watt to say that he has sufficient funds in hand for those purposes. The school was established on Ist January, 1871, but has been under the present master only since Ist January, 1872. The attendance is reported to be regular, and the conduct of the pupils quiet and orderly. I examined them in the usual branches of elementary instruction, and was satisfied with their progress ; the only language spoken is English, in which they conversed with me freely. The girls appeared to be well instructed in needlework, and to take pleasure in exhibiting their progress. There is a small charge of five shillings per quarter made against each pupil, which is deducted from the £130 paid to the master by the Government. As the amount realised thereby is so small I should recommend its not being required, but for the general opinion that the Natives, as a rule, value so much more anything for which they have to make a payment. I found the names of twenty-six pupils on the books, of whom eight were absent, viz., one, a son of Taiaroa, with his father at Wellington, two sick, and five absent without sufficient reason. The appearance of many of these children was, as at East Taiari, such as to scarcely distinguish them from Europeans, and it is evident that they have but a slight admixture of Maori blood. I conceive that in a few years it will be difficult to find a Maori in Otago. Returning to Dunedin I found that the teacher of the small Native school at Tipi-Tipi, near Waikouaiti, which I had arranged to visit on the following day, had left Waikouaiti for some days, and as the only steamer for some time for Welfington was to leave on the next day, and business pressed, I determined to return by her, more particularly as both Tipi-Tipi and a similar school, of which I had not previously heard (viz., "Brum's Point"), are under the supervision of Mr. Watt) I learnt from him that the last quarterly return from those schools showed an average of thirteen scholars at Tipi-Tipi, and eight at Brinn's Point, all of the latter being half-castes. The amount paid
PAPERS RELATING TO NATIVE SCHOOLS.
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by Government in each case is £3 per annum per pupil, with a small supply of books. With reference to the general question of Native education in Otago, the few (so-called) Natives who remain in the Province are so scattered and mixed up with the Europeans, that excepting at Otago Heads and Ruapuke, the only possible way in which they can be instructed is that pursued by Mr. Watt, viz., by placing them in the European schools which are nearest to their abodes. The probable annual expense may be stated as follows: — Otago Heads ... ... ... ... ... ... ... £150 East Taiari ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 25 Tipi-Tipi ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 40 Brum's Point ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 30 Ruapuke ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 345 For Books, Maps, &c. ... ... ... ... ~. ... 25 £370 Having previously been informed by you that the school at Kaiapoi, in the Province of Canterbury, had been burnt down, and the rebuilding entrusted to Mr. Tancred and to the Rev. Mr. Stack, I did not proceed to Kaiapoi, but am informed at the Native Office that it was established in April, 1866, and burnt down in 1870. The original cost appears to be variously stated at from £500 to nearly £1,000, but it is being rebuilt at a cost of £330. The Natives have given twenty acres of land as a school site. The greatest number of pupils at any time is stated as twenty-seven ; at the time of the fire it was sixteen, and the average cost has been £16 per annum per pupil. The new school has now been completed, and authority given for the appointment of a master. An application has been lately made by the Commissioner of Native Reserves at Nelson, at the request of the Natives near Whakapuaka, for the establishment of a school in that locality, and I understand that there are small numbers of Natives at Picton, and also in various localities upon the West Coast of the Middle Island, to whom attention should be given so soon as more pressing calls have been attended to ; the desire for instruction in the English language being equally strong in the Middle as in the Northern Island. I have, Sec, A. H. Russian.
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Bibliographic details
PAPERS RELATING TO NATIVE SCHOOLS., Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1872 Session I, F-05
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22,961PAPERS RELATING TO NATIVE SCHOOLS. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1872 Session I, F-05
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