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Enclosure 6. Mr. Civil Commissioner Clabke to the Inspectoe of Schoois. I took an opportunity, when on a visit to the Lake District last week, to make a hurried inspection of tho Tarawera School, under the charge of Mr. Cowan. I found a good attendance of children, of ages varying from eight to fifteen years. There were present thirty-nine boys and twenty-nine girls. The school has been too recently established (five weeks) to say much as to their general progress. Some few of the boys are advancing satisfactorily; and from the earnestness of the scholars, I hope that the school will ultimately prove a success. We can hardly expect that the large attendance of children above noticed will be kept up. After the novelty of the thing has worn off, we shall bo better able to judge what the average attendance will be. I venture the opinion that it will be high, seeing that the Tuhourangi have contributed a considerable sum of money towards the establishment of the school. They have given 2{- acres of land in a delightful situation, and have contributed the sum of £50 towards schoolhouse. The Hon. the Native Minister has added to this the sum of £100, which I think sufficient for the purpose intended. The school buildings have not yet been erected, but the Natives have, as a temporary arrangement, given up a house containing five rooms to the schoolmaster, and the Rev. S. M. Spencer has kindly allowed the church to be used as a schoolroom. I considered this a good arrangement, and far better than hurrying the building of a house with green or unseasoned timber. I hope to have the building up in the early part of next summer. Mr. Cowan furnished me with a list of books that he now requires. I have ventured to suggest some reductions, as I have thought it advisable to cut the supply as low as possible till the school is in a thorough working condition. He will however require forms and desks at once, which could be moved into the schoolhouse when built. Would you give me authority for this expenditure ? I have, &c, H. T. CIABKE, Tauranga, 25th May, 1873. Civil Commissioner. By Authority : Georgb Dissbc-y, Government Printer* Wellington.—lSTS. [Price 9d.]