TO NATIVE SCHOOLS.

13

A.—No. G.

in the event of his heing appointed he would require to he forwarded from here, which would, I estimate, cost ahout £16 or £17. Some furniture also would he required for the masters house and also for the schoolhouse, the hooks, I understand, can be forwarded from "Wellington. If it should be considered advisable to appoint him, I would beg to be apprised of it by telegram. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. I. Newto_* Watt.

No. 6. Telegram from H. Halse, Esq., to I. N. "Watt, Esq. "Wellington, 2nd July, 1868. Me. Henri may be engaged. It should be understood that the duration of the engagement must depend in the first place on his success as a teacher. A sum not exceeding fifty pounds will be allowed for passage money and furniture. Books will be sent by first opportunity. H. llalse, Assistant Under Secretary.

No. 7. Copy of a Letter from Alex. Mackay, Esq., to the Under Secbetaey, Native Department. Sir,— Bluff, Southland, 22nd June, 1368. I have the honor to inform you that, at a meeting held at Ruapuke on the 18th instant, the undermentioned persons were duly elected as a committee of management for the school there, viz.:— John Topi Patuki, Ihaia AVhaitiri, Harry "West (half-caste), Walter Joss (half-caste), Tioti te Rauparaha, and Rev. Mr. "Wohlers. The Rev. Mr. "Wolhers was elected as chairman. The following resolution was also proposed and carried: —" That the General Government be respectfully informed 'that the Natives of Ruapuko are of opinion that the proportion of the school fees required by the Act to be provided by the Native inhabitants should be charged against and defrayed out of the amount due to them as their fair share of the interest or any other profit accruing or likely to accrue from the third instalment of the Stewart's Island purchase money, as this amount was set apart specially to provide a fund for educational purposes. But in consideration of the limited amount likely to be available for a master's salary, either from this fund or from the share of the Government subsidy to which they may be entitled, and foreseeing that this may probably be the means of preventing a suitable person from undertaking the office, the Natives of Ruapuke will endeavour by a contribution raised amongst themselves, independent of the one-fourth to be borne by the endowment fund, to make up the amount of fees if possible to £5 per annum for each scholar in regular attendance ; but at the same time they would beg to represent to the Government the difficulties they have to contend with in an island like Ruapuke to acquire even sufficient money for the common necessities of life." They also requested me to represent to the Government on their behalf that as the whole of the expense of erecting the schoolroom and master's residence had been defrayed out of moneys to which they were entitled, and in addition to this they had set apart ten acres of land as a school site, whether they would not be fairly entitled, in accordance with the Act, to expect that a portion of the amount so expended would be refunded to them; and if the Government were of opinion that they were entitled to consideration in the matter, they would suggest that the proportion payable to them from this source might be handed over to their chairman to be placed in the bank, to aid them in defraying the first expenses of the school. "With reference to the proportion of the fees to be provided by the Native inhabitants for the maintenance of the schools, it will be seen by the foregoing resolution that the Natives are under the impression that this amount should bo borne by the third instalment of the Stewart's Island purchase money ; they urge that this money was withheld from them against their will in the first place, under the plea that it was to bo made available for educational purposes. If, therefore, they are not to bo benefited by that arrangement, now that the time has arrived to appreciate its advantages, they assert it would have been better that the money should have been shared amongst them at the time ; and if this course had been pursued, they would be better able to understand why they are now called on to subscribe money for school purposes. From the present temper of the Natives, I am fully convinced that nothing satisfactory can bo done towards procuring the necessary funds for carrying on the school, as far as they are concerned, until they are first assured that money will be forthcoming from the aforesaid source. On that being definitely understood, I have every hope that they will render such assistance as lays in their power to promote the success of the school. As it is very important that the school should be opened with as little delay as possible, I would beg to recommend, as the Natives have been led to believe that they would not be called on to provide any portion of the cost, that the Government, in consideration of the Stewart's Island money being still unproductive, and likely to bo so for some time to come, would guarantee the payment of the onefourth payable by the Native inhabitants, in. addition to the three-fourths payable under the Act, for two years certain, or until such time as their own fund is in a position to bear the expenditure. There is another very important matter that requires immediate attention, and that is, that the necessary school furniture should be provided as soon as possible. The schoolroom at present is entirely bare of accommodation, and if a master were to arrive at once, there is not the least convenience for carrying on the work of the school. A supply of books, slates, and other school requisites, are also required for immediate use. I also recommended in my report of February last, that a few fixtures should be made in the master's house, in the shape of a cupboard, dresser, &c.; it would be as well also to have a few shelves made at the same time. At present there is not the least accommodation in the house saving the bare walls, everything will have to be placed on the floor; the occupant who-