E—No. 4

REPORT BY MESSRS. HARPER, CHURTON, TAYLOR, AND ALLISON, ON THE WANGANUI SCHOOL. With regard to the Wanganui Native Industrial School, we are informed by the local Trustees, that there has been no instruction given to the Native scholars, nor has there been any Government aid received by the Trustees during the last financial year. We, therefore, consider any further remark respecting this Institution unnecessary. But we consider an inspection of the Wanganui Industrial School should be entered upon. We have, &c, T. Harper, J.P., H. Churton, Thomas B. Taylor, J. P., • James Allison, J.P. The Native Secretary.

X.—REPORT FROM W. B. BAKER, ESQ., ON THE WAERENGAAHIKA (TURANGA) SCHOOL. Rangitukia, 6th May, 1862. The Waerengaahika school is situated in the valley of Turanga, near the course of the Turanganiu river, from the mouth of which it is distant about nine miles. The site was obtained by deed of gilt from the Titangamahaki tribe, and contains about five hundred and ninety acres. Of this extent about one hundred and sixty acres are enclosed within a fence, and from eighty to ninety broken up and under cultivation. The land is level, fertile, and easily cultivable, but so wet as to render it necessary that a regular system of drainage should be carried out in order to bring it into proper condition. The produce is for the most part consumed on the premises. Last year there was a small surplus, which was disposed of tor the benefit of the school; for the present year however there is a deficiency, mainly attributable to the wetness of the harvest season. There is a herd of about one hundred and fifty head of cattle belonging to the school. The necessary outbuildings, stockyard, &c, for the purposes of the school farm are erected in a substantial manner; these are in good condition, but a portion of the fencing is unsound and falling rapidly to decay. A one-horse flour mill was being worked by some of the scholars at the time of inspection. A large and airy school-room has been built, but in consequence of one half of it being partitioned off as a dining room for the scholars, the portion at present devoted to the school is insufficient, causing confusion by overcrowding. To obviate this, a spacious dining hall is much required. The scholars live in Maori huts; the married couples each occupying a separate whare; the young men, several together, the boys in portions of the men's huts partitioned off for their use. In all the whares that were visited the occupants slept upon flax mats laid upon the ground in the customary Maori style. Some improvement in this particular appears necessary. Besides these, there is a large house now in course of erection and approaching completion, for the Bishop; also a new house for the manager, and the house at present occupied by the latter, which will shortly be available for an English teacher. During the hours devoted to industrial training, some of the young men assist the European carpenters, and appear to do their work in a satisfactory manner. The school is under the management of the Reverend W. L. Williams, who is at present without any English assistant, the Rev. C. S. Volckner (who resided at Waerengaahika for a time) having removed to another station. The younger scholars are principally taught by the Rev. Tamihana Huatau, who however is unable to give them any instruction in the English language. An English teacher is much required. The Church Missionary Society has promised to send one from England, but whether he is to be a married man or not is unknown. In the latter case, a matron will be indispensible to the establishment of a girls' school. An Pmglish superintendent or foreman resides on the premises, who has the management ol the Natives while engaged in industrial pursuits. His salary however is provided for by private funds, and is not made chargeable against the Government grant. A great deal has been done, particularly iv the removal of the school from the old station at Whakato to the present site, by private resources. The annual sum granted by the Government is far from being adequate to the expenses of the establishment. The manager could not state what was the cost per annum of each scholar. The clothing of the men and boys is pretty good, and apparently sufficient for the climate: it is principally or altogether made up on the premises by the wives of the married men. It would however be more economical to procure the men's clothing ready made, this would afford the women ample time to keep the growing boys well supplied. Bedding is partly supplied by the school, such as blankets and material for making chaff mattrasses; the use of the latter is optional, and did not appear to be freely availed of. The washing of the men is done by themselves, except in cases where they have wives, that of the boys by a washing machine. A greater attention to cleanliness both iv person and apparel is desirable. Food is given out daily, and consists of—Breakfast, broad and tea : Dinner, meat a small quantity (\ lb.) to the senior scholars, potatoes, pumpkins, and other vegetables. The latter they are allowed to cultivate in small patches, the produce of which tends to help the general supply. Tea, bread and tea. The health of the scholars is said to be good, though a deeply-rooted impression to the contrary exists among the Natives. There is no provision for medical attendance.

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REPORTS OF INSPECTORS