TO NATIVE SCHOOLS.

15

A.—No. 6

taking in the cause, will in the end become tired of a work, the remuneration for which is based on such a very precarious foundation, viz., on the regular attendance of the children, and the punctual payment by the parents of their proportion of the fees. As both the local committees of Waimatemate and Arowhenua declined to admit Native children to the local schools, I have written recently to the masters of each of these places, asking them if they would undertake to teach the Native children at these settlements, after their usual school hours were over. I have not received an answer as yet, and lam afraid from what little I have learnt personally that they do not favour the project. I also wrote to the committee at the Bluff, asking if they would have any objection to admit Native children to the local' school. I have not received a definite answer as yet, but I am inclined to think from personal conversation with several members of the committee that no objection will be raised by them. I am fully convinced from the little interest the Natives are likely to take in the matter, after the first novelty is worn off, that however anxious the Government may be to bring education within their reach, without someone can be found near each of the settlements, who will take an interest in the schools after they are established, and make it his duty to continually urge upon the Natives the necessity of sending their children regularly, that little success can be hoped for. Two of the districts are fortunately provided in that way, viz., Kaiapoi and Ruapuke, the one has Mr. Stack, and the other Mr. Wohlers, to promote the welfare of each school. There are four places in the Province of Otago, viz., Moeraki, Waikouaiti, Otakou Heads, and the Taieri, in which admission to the local schools is quite out of the question for the Native children, the distance from the settlements being too great to admit of their attending. At Moeraki the difficulty will most likely be overcome by the establishment of a side school near the Maori settlement. At Waikouaiti, however, a special arrangement will have to be made to bring education within reach of the children there by establishing a school if possible at the settlement, as the local school is at too great a distance; there is also a tidal creek to cross between the settlement and the town of Hawkesbury, which in itself is a very great obstacle to little children going to and fro daily. At Otakou Heads the case is the same as far as regards distance, as also at the Taieri. There are also several places in Canterbury, one especially, where a large number of children are located, at which special arrangements will have to be made if schools are to be established in their neighbourhood. When at Canterbury the other day, His Honor the Superintendent informed me that it was his intention to place the whole subject of education for the Natives resident in this Province under the management of the local boards, as he considered it was a duty the Province owed to the Natives. If that measure is carried out it will in all probability prove the most satisfactory mode of furthering the object in view, as far as the Natives of Canterbury are concerned. In Otago, the able co-operation of Mr. Hislop, the Inspector of Schools, can always be relied on, as far as it is possible for him to assist, in furthering the establishment of schools for the Natives in that Province. I cannot point at present to any one in Southland who would be likely to assist in promoting the work there. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Alexander Mackay, Native Department, Wellington. Native Commissioner.

No. 9. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Rotjebt H. Eyton to the Hon. J. C. Richmond. Sib, — Auckland, 2nd June, 1868. Referring to my former letter to you, in which I stated that I had been refused admittance at St. Mary's College, I have the honor now to inform you that on the Ist instant I again visited this school, and was admitted without demur. Accordingly, I beg to enclose my report of the condition of the school. I have, &c, The Hon. J. C. Richmond, Wellington. Robt. H. Eyton, Inspector of Native Schools.

Enclosure in No. 9. Copy of a Report on St. Mary's College, North Shore (Eonnm Catholic), visited Ist June, 1868. This institution is under the management of Mr. Mellhone, who holds a second-class certificate (not third class, as stated by Mr. Eolleston) ; Mrs. Mellhone acts as matron. Like the other schools which I visited, St. Mary's College is much embarrassed by debt; and the withdrawal by the Provincial Government of a considerable portion of the subsidy formerly paid has had the effect of diminishing to a great extent the utility of the school. Until lately an assistant-teacher was kept, and his salary provided for by the Provincial Government. This assistance is now withdrawn, and the consequence is that Mr. Mellhone, who has to attend to the school-farm as well as to the education of the children, has more work upon his hands than he can perform in an efficient manner. The secular instruction of the children has in consequence suffered considerably; and Mr. Mellhone informed me that on an average there had not been more than an hour per diem devoted to those branches of education for which the General Government grant is given, during the present quarter; in the meantime, however, the farm work is still continued, and yields a considerable sum. I understand that it is intended to get assistance in teaching next quarter, and that the usual hours of instruction (three per diem) will then be resumed. Without entering into the question whether this neglect of the school was rendered unavoidable by pecuniary difficulties, it appears to me that one hour per diem is quite insufficient, and that unless assistance is obtained, and more attention bestowed upon the objects contemplated by the 5