NATIVE SCHOOLS.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1873 Session I, G-04a

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1873. NEW ZEALAND.

NATIVE SCHOOLS.

(FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO.) (In continuation of Papers presented 8th August, 1873.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by command of His Excellency.

No. 1. The Inspector of Schools to the Hon. the Native Minister. Sir,— Napier, 4th July, 1873. In continuation of my report upon the Native schools in the Province of Auckland, I have now the honor to report upon those of Hawke's Bay. St. Joseph's Providence, Napier. —That, on the Ist instant, I inspected the Native girls' school of St. Joseph's Providence, Napier. I found 20 pupils present in school, of whom 10 were Maori and 10 half-caste ; their ages varying between 9 and 18 years. It is a boarding school, and the hours of attendance in school are four, viz., from 9.30 a.m. to 12, and from 2 p.m. to 3.30. There are, however, other hours for study, needlework, ike., making up the whole number of hours per day employed in sedentary occupation to seven or eight. The appearance of the pupils was clean, neat, and healthy—their behaviour cheerful, orderly, and respectful, and the whole establishment continues to present the same air of admirable cleanliness and good order which I noticed last year when reporting upon this and the similar institution of St. Joseph's Providence, Wellington. The progress of the pupils in reading, writing, spelling, arithmetic, and geography, was good, and their understanding and speaking, as well as their pronounciation of English, better than in most of the village schools—a remark which occurred to me also in inspecting the boarding school of St. Stephen's, Auckland, and which circumstance is no doubt to be attributed to their seldom hearing or speaking any other language. The health of the pupils had been good ; there had indeed been no sickness—but three pupils had been sent to their homes during the year, from consumption, and had died there. As this is a very large per centage out of a general average of 21 pupils, and as the only other case of death from consumption reported to me was from St. Stephen's, Auckland (also a boarding school), it seems worthy of consideration, as bearing upon the question, " From what causes does the rapid diminution of the Native race arise, when brought into close contact with the European?" I have already had occasion to remark that the children attending the village schools (where the only departure from their ordinary habits of life consists in their attending school for a very limited time per day), are singularly healthy, not more than one or two deaths having been reported amongst all those pupils who have attended during the past year. This may not be even a slight indication of the extreme carefulness with which it is necessary to proceed in our endeavors to transform a barbarous or savage race into a civilised people ; but as the work which we are now carrying on in New Zealand is manifestly but the commencement of that which will extend to all the other islands of the Pacific, it would appear unwise to disregard any fact which seems to bear upon so important a subject. I think it right to call your attention to the number of half-caste children who are being educated at this school. A capitation allowance of j£2o a year per pupil is given by Government, and they are fed and clothed, as well as educated. But I understand the fathers of these half-caste children to be Europeans, who have no special claim upon the Colony, and are probably quite as well able to maintain them as the parents of European children. A school in connexion with this institution has been erected at Meanee for boys, and is intended for the accommodation of 30 pupils, for whom, I was informed last year, the same amount of capitation money (£2O per pupil) is expected. As I understand the school is not yet in operation, I did not visit it. There is also, I gather from the public papers, a school now established upon the school estate at Te Aute. It has been established by means of contributions of money by Government, and I believe from other sources, and by endowments from Government and from the Natives of this Province. As I understand it does not now receive assistance from Government, I have not visited it. But I think it right to call your attention to complaints that have already been made to me by the masters of village schools, of the effect which these schools will have upon them. One master complained that three of his best pupils had been already taken away; that he had been training them to assist him in conducting his school (a very large one) ; and that no intimation was given him that they were about to be taken from him. Another complained that he was about to lose one or more of his best pupils, who preferred going where they could be housed, and clothed, and fed, as well as educated, for nothing; and a third had been able to avoid losing pupils only by strong remonstrance.

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It will be seen, therefore, that we are in danger of subsidising two different kinds of schools—not one preparatory to, and acting iv conjunction with, the other; but both giving the same elementary education, and likely to be antagonistic. Pakowhai. —On the 2nd instant, I visited the school at Pakowhai, which presented a very different appearance to that which I reported last year. There were then 63 pupils in school, out of 65 on the books—there were now but 17, the average for the year being 24. But this falling off proceeds in a great degree from causes which are not to be regretted. One-half of the then pupils are now being taught at their own Kainga (Omahu), whilst a considerable number have moved away to Poverty Bay, where schools have also been established. The master, however, has had great difficulty in keeping his school together. The unhappy agitation of the Native mind, which sought to make them consider not only the Government but all the Europeans whom they most respected as their fraudulent enemies, has been much against the Pakowhai School, the two leading members of the Committee being those who took the most prominent part before the Commission lately sitting in Napier. Excepting from the chief Karaitiana, the master does not seem to have met with much support or encouragement. He complains that the books, which are not of the authorised kinds furnished from Auckland or Wellington, but upon the authority of the Committee from Napier, are not quite suitable, and upon those grounds, and also that a candidate who was unsuccessful when he was himself selected for the Pakowhai School has since been appointed to a Native school upon a higher salary, he appears to be disinclined to retain charge of the school. The Education Bill which has lately been passed in this Province will cause a demand for masters for the Provincial schools, and trained masters like Mr. Bissel will not care to retain charge of Native schools, unless they meet with aid and encouragement. The ages of the 17 present in school were from 6to 17 years. Their progress, so far as I could compare the 17 with the 63 of last year, seemed scarcely such as I had hoped; their reading, writing, spelling, and arithmetic not so good as it would probably have been had there been no disturbance of school routine. Their pronunciation of English was not equal to that of many other schools. I recommend that the Natives be encouraged to elect a new Committee, which should have time to attend to the school, and give all the help possible to the master; that all promises made to him as to salary, the fencing in of his land, (fee, should be promptly carried out ; and that the Committee should attend only to Pakowhai School, allowing Omahu to provide its own ; also, that a proper selection of books should be supplied through the usual channel. Omahu. —On the 3rd instant, I proceeded to inspect the Omahu school, but found the holidays had commenced the day before—-an evidence of the want of system which prevails as regards these schools, for both being under the same Committee, I found one at work, the other in vacation, the masters having been unable to obtain directions on that head from the Committee. I heard from the master that his greatest number had been 45, his least number 30, and his average 40, of whom 26 are Maori, 6 half-castes, and 6 Europeans, their ages varying from 6to 18 years. The hours of attendance are 4, viz., from 10 a.m. to 12, and from 1 p.m. to 3. Their health (as at Pakowhai also) had been good. There had been one death, that of a boy of 16, brought on by disease induced by a serious accident. A serious complication has arisen here which, if not promptly dealt with, may injure, or even break up, the school. The master states that he is authorised by the Committee to take European boys as boarders in the schoolhouse, in which he lives, and which was built, as I understand, partly with Native funds. The chief Renata Kawhepo, the great encourager of this school, and a man of generous instincts, does not object to this, but demands that Maori boys shall also be taken as boarders. This is objected to by the Europeans, and Renata has been offended, and nearly alienated from the school. I recommend that this boarding system be immediately put a stop to. Masters should accept their office upon a fixed salary, and not seek to add to it by other means, which I find invariably influence the school uufavorably. The same compl unt of want of interest on the part of the Committee, unsuitable description of books, <fee, is made here as at Pakowhai. I recommend here, also, the election of a new Committee, having time and inclination to do the work, with a carefully-selected Chairman, and care to do everything for the master's comfort which he can fairly ask. It will be seen by the foregoing that I do not look upon the state of the Native Schools in this Province as very satisfactory. St. Joseph's, Providence. —The expense of the 20 pupils at St. Joseph's Providence should educate 200 in village schools ; its political effect upon the .Natives is inappreciable; nor am I aware that it can be considered as even a charitable expenditure, seeing that the parents are able to pay for the support and education of their own children. Meanee. —The establishment of a similar institution at Meanee will. I consider, greatly augment the expense to the colony, and militate against the usefulness of the village schools. Te Ante. —To judge from the constant allusions to this establishment in the Provincial Press, and the debates in the Provincial Council, it gives intense dissatisfaction to both Europeans and Natives. It is a splendid and munificent provision for the education of the Natives, and they will not be satisfied until they see their intentions thoroughly carried out. Pakowhai and Omahu. —-These schools, which started with so much promise, require to be at once attended to. There is no reason why they should not achieve all that was hoped from them, but they must not be neglected. I have, <fee, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. A. H. Russell.

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No. 2. Mr. G. T. Fannin to the Hon. the Native Minister. Sir,— Napier, 30th December, 1872. I have the honor to forward you, enclosed, a statement of the present position of the Pakowhai and Omahu Schools, by which it is shewn that the two schools have cost in building, £788 13s. Id., of which the Government have contributed £553 12s. lid., and the Maoris £235 os. 2d. The two schools are respectively insured for £250 each, and all liabilities are met, including teachers' salaries, up to 31st December, 1872. I enclose a copy of the statement made by me as Chairman of Committee. The Committee of last year has been re-elected, consisting of Messrs. J. Chambers, R. P. Williams, Renata Kawepo, Karaitiana Takamoana, Noa Huke, and myself as Chairman. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister, Geo. Thos. Fannin, (pro S. Locke), Wellington. ■ Chairman.

Enclosure in No. 2. As the time has now arrived when, in accordance with Clause 7 of "The Native Schools Act, 1867," this Committee should resign, and a fresh one be elected for the coming year, I would, as Chairman, lay before you the following statement of what has been done during the past year, and also state the present position of our finances : —■ The Committee has met seven times during the past year. Since taking office two schools have been erected, each on a piece of land of about 2 acres and a half in extent, given by the Maoris for that purpose. Ist. The Pakowhai School, a handsome, substantial building, with schoolroom and four rooms for teachers, at total cost of £385. 2nd. The Omahu School is a building rather larger than the first, but in every other respect similar to it, at total cost of £405 Os sd. The school land has been substantially fenced and subdivided for play-ground, garden, &c. A teacher has been appointed to each school, at a salary of £100 a year (both married men). The Pakowhai School was opened on the 9th January, and the Omahu School, on the loth of August last. The daily average number of scholars attending, of both sexes, at Pakowhai, is 41 ; at Omahu, 45. The Maoi'is have collected, during the year, £572. This includes £100 given by Karaitiana, which does not appear in the Bank-book. This money has been expended as follows :—£loo towards Pakowhai school building; £135 towards Omahu school building ; £36 6s. Bd., the Maori one-third contribution for teacher's salary, Pakowhai, up to December 31st; £12 9s. lid., towards Maori one-third contribution teacher's salary, Omahu, to December 31st; £13 12s. for books; insurance of buildings in Victoria Insurance Office, £7 10s. ; and for fencing, <fee, £78 7s. 9d., as per receipts and statements now rendered. All accounts are paid to December 31st, leaving a clear balance in hand at Bank of £186 16s. Bd. As you are aware, the Maoris have endowed these schools with a block of land at Patea (behind Ruahine), estimated to contain about 60,000 acres. Steps have been taken to get a sketch survey of this land made without delay, when it can be placed under the care of Trustees, who should be European and Maori. It is then proposed to cut the land up into runs, and lease it by tender. Great praise is due to Messrs. Bissell and Tenuant for their zeal and patience in carrying on their arduous duties. Although the starting of a scheme like the present is attended with much inconvenience, more especially to some of the Committee, and I take this opportunity of thanking you for the advice and ready assistance I have always received, at the same time, I feel sure the Committee will join me in the gratification felt in the great success of the experiment in this district, to train up the rising generation of Maoris with a knowledge of the English language. Sufficient has been accomplished to prove that the greatest barrier that separates the two races can be overcome by patient perseverance. I have, &c, S. Locke, Chairman.

No. 3. Mr. S. Yon Stunner to the Inspector of Schools. Sir, — Hokianga, 21st June, 1873. I have just returned from a meeting at Waima. The principal men of the district were present, and it has been arranged that tenders for the erection of the schoolhouse be called for immediately. Most of the school fees have been paid to date, and there is every prospect of this school progressing favorably. There were 58 pupils in school. The Waitapu school is the theme of general conversation here, and the natives are sending their children from a great distance to attend it. It has been steadily improving from the first, and is a most decided success. On the 6th June, I took a party of visitors to see it. The visit was most unexpected on the part of Mr. Watkins and pupils, but we found everything correct, 44 pupils in school, and their progress seemed to strike the gentlemen with me with astonishment. Mr. Watkins asked me to inform

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you that his wife has great difficulty in getting the parents of children to supply materials for sewing, and thinks if the Government would supply a small quantity of cheap pieces of embroidery, with needles and thread, the work, when finished, could be forwarded to you for disposal for charitable purposes, <fee. Mrs. Watkins regularly spends one hour per day in the school, teaching the younger children, independent of the sewing lessons. In future, in sending books or other things over for school, please not to send them by way of Russell. The last parcel for Waitapu, besides costing me 10s. for carriage, was very much damaged, no less than 5 slates being broken, and several of the books being damaged by chafing and wet. There is at present a parcel at the Falls for the Waima School, and the Committee estimate the cost of gettiug it over to Hokianga at not less than £3, as it will have to be brought over on horseback; besides, it is sure to be more or less damaged, more particularly at this wet season of the year. I am exceedingly sorry you could not come over this season, as I am sure you would have been pleased with the progress made. I have, &c, Colonel Russell, Inspector of Schools, . Spencer Yon Stunner. Napier.

No. 4. Mr. H. Williams to the Inspector of Native Schools. Sir, — Pouerua, Bay of Islands, 12th June, 1873. I have the honor to inform you that on the 2nd instant, the school at Oromahoe was opened, with a muster roll of 43 children, 38 of whom are in daily attendance. Mr. Jamieson, the schoolmaster, takes to his work very heartily, and appears to give every satisfaction to the Natives. The Committee paid me their quota of the schoolmaster's salary for the first month, and appear highly delighted with the school. With reference to the books used, I would suggest that a supply of Lessons in the English Language for Maori Schools, Part 1., as published by authority of the Government, be supplied. I had the acre of ground upon which the schoolhouse stands marked off, and would advise that a regular deed of conveyance be executed, which the Natives are prepared to do. I have, tte, The Hon. Colonel Russell, H. Williams, Inspector of Native Schools. Chairman School Committee.

No. 5. Mr. E. M. Williams, E.M., to the Inspector of Schools. Resident Magistrate's Office, Sir,— Waimate,- Bay of Islands, 13th June, 1873. In compliance with the request contained in your letter of the 6th of May last, that I should inspect the Waimate Native School, and furnish you with particulars, I have the honor to offer the following remarks—first apologising for the delay in responding to your wishes, occasioned by my time having been so fully occupied as to prevent my visiting the school at an earlier date. In reporting upon my visit to this school, I consider it better to answer the series of questions proposed by you in the order in which they are given. Ist. The greatest number of pupils on the books since the school opened has been 79 ; the greatest number of attendance, 48; the least number of attendance, 6, during wet weather. Date ol opening of the school, 2nd September, 1872 ; on the books, 13th June, 1873, 33 pupils. 2nd. Of pupils, the respective numbers have been—Europeans, nil; half-castes, 3 ; Natives, 76. 3rd. The greatest age in the school, 18 years ; the least age, 6 years. 4th. Their progress in speaking and pronouncing English is imperfect. In reading, writing, and arithmetic, good advance has been made. Geography is but little taught. sth. English alone is used in the school, except in the explanation of words or sentences. 6th. The number of discharges from the school have been, nil; the number of deaths, 3 ; and the number of withdrawals, 43. 7th. The only sickness amongst the pupils has been influenza, generally prevalent in the District. Bth. The hours of instruction are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with an interval of half-an-hour for dinner. In no way can the health of the pupils be affected by these hours. 9th. The pupils are healthy, and orderly in school, but their attendance has not been regular, and and some of them are not attired in the most cleanly manner, their parents evidently manifesting but little interest in their welfare. 10th. The schoolmaster possesses the respect of the pupils and of the Committee ; nor can blame be attached to him for the falling off which has taken place in the number and attendance of pupils. 11th. I would not recommend the higher rate of salary until an improvement takes place in the state of the school. 12th. No needlework is taught the female pupils. 13th. The Committee do not take sufficient interest in the success of the school. The master has complained that with the exception of the Chairman little or no support has been rendered. 14th. The Native contribution to the master's salary has been regularly paid. 15th. The school is well supplied with books, slates, &c. 16tb. The building is not well adapted for school purposes. It was originally erected for a Native Hostelry, and being situated close to the Court House, and near to the public road, the attention of the

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pupils is often diverted by what is passing on the outside. It is not sufficiently lighted, and if to be continued as a schoolhouse, I would recommend an addition of three or four windows in the back, the front windows to be stained, and a door placed in the end of the building, the present entrances being closed. These alterations would render it more suitable for school purposes. The following is the average of attendance for each month, since the opening of the school:— September, 1872 ... ... 41 pupils October „ ... ... 35 „ November „ ... ... 31 „ December „ ... ... 26 „ January, 1873 ... ... 25 „ February „ ... ... 20 „ March „ ... ... 20 „ April „ ... ... 13 „ May „ 11 „ I have, &c, Colonel Russell, Inspector of Schools, E. M. Williams, E.M. Napier.

By Authority : Gborgk Didsbcry, Government Printer, Wellington. [Price, Gd.]