G.-S

1874. NEW ZEALAND.

NATIVE SCHOOLS. (REPORTS OF INSPECTING OFFICERS.)

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by command of His Excellency.

No. 1. Mr. H. T. Kemp, Civil Commissioner, Auckland, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. g IB Civil Commissioner's Office, Auckland, 20th November, 1873. I have the honor to report that, during my recent tour to the Bay of Islands District, I had an opportunity (without warning) of visiting the Waiomio School, and have pleasure in reporting that, for the short time it has been in operation, a favourable impression has been made as to its progress,—the average daily attendance being about 35, more pupils being A mixed committee is also being formed, into whose hands will be intrusted the management of the endowments ; and when surveyed, tenders, as directed, will be invited for building the schoolhouse. In the meantime the classes meet in the chief Marsh Brown's dwelling-house. Mr. Lorrigan is assisted by his daughter, who has been educated in one of the convent schools, and is," for so young a person, proficient in her mode of teaching. lam further happy to report that not one word of Maori is spoken in this school. I have also the satisfaction to report that schools are being organized, with promise of endowments, at Wangaroaand Te Ngaere, in the north, and at Orakei andMahurangi; while, at the same time, I regret to say that the school at Waimate has, from whatever cause, ceased almost to exist, and is now, I believe, virtually abandoned. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. H. T. Kemp.

No. 2. Mr W. B. White, Native Agent, Mangonui, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. g IR _ Native Agent's Office, Mangonui, 14th January, 1874. 1 have the honor to report that I visited the schools at Pukepoto and Ahipara when breaking up for the holidays. Through the kindness of the Rev. J. Matthews and friends, an entertainment was given at Pukepoto to the children, who seemed to enjoy themselves very much In the distribution of prizes, I examined the various classes, and found that great progress had been made; indeed, I feel surprised at the progress of the children each time I visit the school I was so much interested as to pass the greater part of the day there Mr. J. Masters of Ahipara, had been so overworked as to be quite ill; and as I had examined the scholars a few weeks before, they were dismissed on the same day without the cake and pudding supplied to the other school. I feel much gratified at the successful promise of these children ; their clean and healthy appearance, the regular habits engendered, and their obedient and discreet conduct, give them quite a home-school appearance. W. B. White, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Native Agent. I—G. 8.