PAPERS RELATIVE TO NATIVE SCHOOLS.

5

A.—No. 3.

all the pupils in the school who could write on slates take down a few sentences from dictation. I gave the following sentences: — (1.) We get oil from the whale. (2.) Shall I boil the eggs ? (3.) Boys and girls play in the field. Only five boys tried the exercise, and only two were fairly correct. I then inspected the bedrooms. In one of these rooms, occupied by thirteen girls, there were sheets and mattresses. In the remaining three dormitories there were no mattresses or sheets. In all, the bedding appeared to me, on examination, very dirty. I think it objectionable that two and sometimes three boys should be allowed to sleep in one bed. On the whole there were sixty-five beds to seventy-seven children. Clothing and Cleanliness. —I only saw two children with shoes ; and there was a general want of cleanliness and tidiness throughout the school, both in their clothes and their persons. On inspecting the place where I was told the morning's washing took place, I found that the barrels from which the supply of water was ordinarily obtained leaked and were empty, and that any water which might be used would have to be brought from a considerable distance from the building. Two towels of the dirtiest description were hanging in the washing-room. I was informed that the children bathed twice a week. There is no industrial work carried on in the school, other than some ordinary farm and garden work. The master, Mr. Arthur, had been three years second master at the Wesley College in Auckland, but does not, so far as I could judge, appear to have the method requisite for success in teaching so large a number of children. According to his statement the expenditure in the institution, during the September quarter amounted to £276 4s. 2|d., giving an average cost per head, for the quarter, of £3 13s. 7fd. The cost per head in clothes being, 16s. 7d.; in food, £1 3s. 3|d.; miscellaneous charges, £1 13s. 9d.; total, £3 13s. 7Jd. The average cost per head, not taking salaries into account, is £2 12s. 6d. The salaries paid are as follows: —Principal, £200 per annum ; master and matron, £75 ; seamstress, £20; total, £295. I have applied to the Eev. Mr. Buller for further information as to the management of the trust estate, and for a statement of the receipts and expenditure of the institution during the year ending September 30th, 1867, and will forward his reply, when received, to the Government. I requested Dr. Kinderdine, in a letter (copy enclosed), to report upon the health and general condition of the children maintained at this school. I enclose his report on the subject, with observations in the margin on some of the statements contained in it. Auckland, 21st December, 1866. W. Eolleston.

Sub-Enclosures in No. 1. LIST of PUPILS in the THREE KINGS INSTITUTION.

Name. Age. Where from. By whom supported. Length of Residence. Average days at School per month. \Iokaraka (a) ..." Fohn Hopkins Helen Hopkins (i) ... William Reid (c) ... Jeorgc Reid Sobert Reid (c) Fohn Reid ... Herbert Slade Jichard Slade (c) ... Mwin Isaacs 3-eorge Southgate ... tf aria Lewis 3dward Lewis Andrew Lewis ilmma Burton William Burton fames Cooper 5-eorge Cooper ?aroline Edwards ... iVilliam EdwarcW.. Elizabeth Boyd .. Jeorge Naylor Folin Naylor Samuel Naylor Uary Steele i.nnie Steele Harion Steele lenry Dowsing Vnnie Dowsing iarah Law ... iValter Mellett Bertrand Mellett ... ilerbert Young Edward Young(d) ... Benjamin Culpan ... iVilliam Culpan E. G. Suitor Bertha Suitor Foseph Young SVilliam Young Foanna Young 2 26 12 14 " 15 13 11 9 16 14 8 13 14 12 6 11 9 11 8 10 7 10 7 5 3 10 4 6 10 7 6 13 11 8 6 11 9 11 5 14 11 7 Ngatikorokoro ... Half-caste, Waipa General G-overnment 6 years 5 years 5 years 1 year 10 months 2 years „ Whangaroa... j> >> » )» 11 11 11 )t „ Bay of Islands British, Auckland )> )» >> »» ■■• » »» M W n *> j> n »j >» ••• „ Onohunga >> >> j> »> H it ».' J) tr )) »> j> ji J» )> )» Prorincial GoTernment »» j) >» 31 J> JJ H II )1 )> J» >' II »» )) >» >> H 1 year 10 months 1 year 0 months n M it J> 5) 1 year 5 months 1 year 3 months 14 3-5 m 19 18 1-5 20 1-5 25i 16 1-5 18 4-5 20i 19 18 21 25 24 21 23 25 23 22 23 26 26 26 21 22 22 20 22 22 20 21 22 23 22 22 21 23 15 19 2* )> » »» » J» )> ii ,, Auckland ») >» ii 2 years )» II >> j» ••* >» 1) ii „ Onehunga )» l» ii 1 year 7 months J» )» „ Auckland „ Oncliunga J» »» J5 1 year 6 months )) )) 3> J» Half-caste, Auckland ... General Government ii 1 year 5 months British, Auckland Provincial Government j> j» >» >» jt ji »> n » »» >» i» »> j» n »» m i) ii n » jt •■• »> »» a j» ji ••• >» »> ii