E—No. 4

MEMORANDUM FROM THE COLONIAL SECRETARY TO THE INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS. The Colonial Secretary has intimated to Bishop Pompallier that, in conformity with the recommendation ot the Inspectors, the grant to St. Mary's School, North Shore, will be discontinued at the end of the month. Since this intimation was given, the Bishop has waited on Mr. Fox, and endeavoured to persuade him not to do so. The result of a long interview was, that Mr. Fox promised to place the Inspector of Schools in communication with the Bishop immediately, and if, before the end of the month, that Officer was satisfied that steps had been taken which would reorganize the school, make it efficient, and ensure the fulfilment of the intentions of the Legislature in making the grant, it should be continued, Mr. Taylor will, therefore, be so good as to see the Bishop as soon as convenient, aud discuss the subject with him. W. Fox.

THE INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS TO THE COLONIAL SECRETARY. Native Schools Department, April 19th, 1862. I waited upon Bishop Pompallier this afternoon, in obedience to your instructions, and proposed to His Lordship the following changes as absolutely necessary to ensure the efficiency of the school. 1. The removal of the present teacher. 2. The erasure from the Government returns of the names of some five or six of the scholars, who from age and other natural infirmities, were incapable of receiving instruction. 3. A much more careful supervision over the pupils than has heretofore existed, to be secured by the transfer of several of the scholars from their own whares to the College. 4. A close adherence to the Regulations of the Government in keeping the returns. His Lordship admitted the propriety of these suggestions, and promised to give immediate effect to them. I shall make it my business to inspect the school before the end of the month. Henry Taylor, Inspector of Native Schools. Honourable ths Colonial Secretary. Native Schools Department, May sth, 1862. I have the honor to inform you that on Friday last, May 2nd, I inspected St. Mary's College, North Shore, and have pleasure in reporting that a change very much for the better has taken place in that establishment. The late teacher, Mr. Macdonald, has been superseded by Mr. Coveney, a man of years, discretion, and experience, and very much calculated to secure the confidence and respect of the Natives. Six of the pupiis are now comfortably housed in the College, and active preparations are being made for the immediate reception of twelve more. The inmates of the College are under the immediate supervision of a resident Clergyman. The school-register is now kept in accordance with the printed instructions of the Governor. There are 25 scholars on the roll, all of such an age as may derive benefit from instruction. The school-house is to be put in thorough repair, and made comfortable and attractive to the pupils. The work has been already commenced. It is the intention of the Superintendent to locate the families and such of the pupils as cannot be accomodated in the College, in substantial houses in the immediate neighbourhood of the school-house. This cannot be effected at once; it will require time to complete the necessary buildings, and management to wean the Natives from their more primitive style of living. I have confidence that, under careful supervision, this institution will shortly undergo a very material change, and will arrive at a creditable state of efficiency. On the whole, I have to express satisfaction at the reformation that has taken place, and hope the Government will continue the grant heretofore made to this institution. Henry Taylor, Inspector pf Native Schools. The Honourable, the Colonial Secretary.

Vn.—REPORT BY MR. DONALDSON, NATIVE INSTRUCTOR AT NAPIER. Napier, 17th March, 1862. According to instructions of Ist Feb., I have the honor to forward the information desired. On January 1861, I commenced my first schools at Pawhakairoand Otanenuiorangi, subsequently I have also taught at Matahiwi and Karamu, besides visiting the pas on the East Coast, leaving them books and giving a lesson here and there whenever opportunity offered ; the numbers of my pupils were in the four pas above named, say seventy young and old. I must now explain my plan and system. For years I have been watching the Natives with interest. I had always heard it stated that, owing to their language being a language chiefly of vowels and sonorous words, our alphabet, especially

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ON NATIVE SCHOOLS, 1862.