58

Replies of the Right Reverend P. T. Viard, Catholic Bishop of Wellington, to the Queries of the Commissioners appointed by the General Government to inspect the Native and Halfcaste Schools in the Province of Wellington, New Zealand.

I,—Q. The date of the commencement of the Institution under your charge? A. Ist September, 1852. 2.— Q. What Teachers are employed, and in what Departments? A. Two Eeligious Sisters; they teach English Reading, Writing, Grammar, Arithmetic, Needle-work, &c, and the elder girls are employed in turn in Cooking, Cleaning, Washing, Ironing, &c, &c. 3.— Q. Their Salaries? A. None. 4.— Q. Are they exclusively employed in teaching? A. They are exclusively employed in teaching. 5.— Q. How many Scholars of each Sex, and what Ages, are actually attending the School, distinguishing the Day Scholars and Boarders, and Aboriginal from Half-caste? A. At the beginning of the year 1858 — 4 Girls, about 7 years old. 6 " 9 " 2 " 11 " 3 " 12 " 15 Girls, all Boarders—9 Half-caste and 6 Maori. 6.— Q. How many have attended annually since the commencement of the School (distinguishing as in the preceding question) ? A. First year 19 Pupils—lo Maori, 9 Half-caste. Second " 19 " —10 " 9 " Third " 15 " —- 4 " 11 « Fourth "17 " — 5 "12 " Fifth " 19 " — 6 " 13 " All Boarders. 7.— Q. Has their attendance been uniform and regular, or only occasional? A Their attendance has been uniform and regular. 8. —Q. A statement is requested of the maximum and minimum of Weekly Attendance during each year; also the means adopted to check the regularity of attend § cc? A. Answered above. 9.— Q. Have any Grants of Land been received for its establishment and maintenance; if any, to what extent, when, and by whom? A. One Grant of Land, given by Sir G. Grey, 16th October, 1854, 66 links frontage, 236 links in depth, on Lambton Quay. 10.— Q. What Income is derivable from this source? A. £20 per annum. 11.—Q, What Grants of Money have been received towards its maintenance from the Government or other sources, respectively? A. In the course of five years and four months there has been received— From the Government ...£l,lll 13 4 " Bishop Viard 139 0 10J " Parents 77 0 0 " Benefactors 55 0 0 « Kent of House 60 0 0 £1,442 14 2£ 12.— Q. Are any Investments created by these Funds held by the Institution; if any, of what nature, and to what extent. A. None.