F.—No. 5

22

PAPERS RELATING TO NATIVE SCHOOLS.

would cart timber or other material from Opotiki to the proposed site, and would assist in any other way to the best of their ability. They propose to set apart a site at Omarumutu, about five miles from Opotiki, which appears to me to be a suitable one, and is centrally situated. I beg respectfully to recommend that this proposal of the Whakatohea Natives be approved of; but in the event of its not meeting with your approval, I have the honor to request that I may be informed of the wishes of the Government in the matter. I may add that the Natives assume that the Government are willing to pay the schoolmaster's salary. I have, &c., Heebeet W. Beabant, R.M.

No. 23. The Hon. the Native Ministee to the Resident Magisteate, Opotiki. Sic,— Opotiki, 15th April, 1872. Referring to your letter of the 14th February last, in reference to a school for the Whakatohea children at Omarumutu, I quite concur in the necessity that exists for the erection of such a school, and will, when the Natives give a necessary site of not less than two acres for the school, be prepared to accept the contributions in work and material offered by them as forming the contribution required by the Native Schools Acts, 1867-71. In relaxing the provisions of these Acts, I have been influenced by the consideration of the poor condition of the Natives, and losses sustained by them during the war, and I hope that you will impress upon them that they are expected from time to time, as their means improve, to give more substantial contributions than those now offered. Having obtained the site, you will at once contract for the necessary buildings, upon which you are authorized to expend a sum not exceeding £250. I have Sec., Donald McLean.

No. 24. The Hon. the Native Ministeb to the Resident Magisteate, Opotiki. Sic,— Opotiki, 15th April, 1872. With reference to your letter of the 14th ultimo, in which you state that the Natives assume that the Government will pay the schoolmaster's salary, I have the honor to inform you that the Rev. James Martin, who has had experience in education, will take charge of the school which is to be established at Omaramutu, or whatever spot may be fixed. I have, See., Donald M'Lean.

No. 25. H. T. Kemp, Civil Commissioner's Office, Auckland, to the Undee Seceetaet, Native Office, Wellington. Civil Commissioner's Office, Sic, — Auckland, 21st December, 1871. I have the honor to forward herewith, for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister, copy of a letter received from the Hon. Colonel Russell, on the subject of the establishment of Native schools, together with my reply. Also copy of letter addressed by me to various officers and clergymen in the Auckland district. I have, &c, H. T. Kemp.

Enclosure 1 in No. 25. The Inspectoe of Schools to the Civil Commissionee, Auckland. Moorlands, Napier, Sib,— 28th November, 1871. Having been requested by the Government to inspect and report upon the schools established or to be established under the Native Schools Acts of 1867 and 1871,1 propose to visit those upon the East Coast as early in the year as possible, in the following order:—Turanganui, Waiapu, Opotiki, Whakatane, Tauranga, Auckland, Thames, Whangarei, Bay of Islands, Kaitaia, Mangonui, See. As I fear the demands upon the services of the " Luna" will limit my time at each place, I give you this early notice that you may have time to make any necessary arrangements as regards the preliminary meetings, for the purpose of constituting educational districts by consent of a majority of Native adult inhabitants, providing proportion of funds for the erection of school and masters' houses, and for the yearly income of the master, for the election by the meeeting of a School Committee, and by the Committee of their Chairman. Also, for the recommendation to the Governor of Trustees, for setting aside sites for school and masters' houses (and, if they desire it, of land for the endowment of the school).