G.—B

14

in copy-books, and some were especially good. Some neat specimens of mapping were also exhibited by some of the pupils. Music and singing are also amongst the branches of education taught the children. The children appeared to be docile and generally obedient. Their attendance is not quite so regular as could be wished, but there are many causes which operate against it—the distance that some have to travel, and the heedlessness in some instances manifested by the parents. The average daily attendance for the year ended 30th June, 1873, was 17, viz., 12 males and 5 females. The girls are taught sewing by Mrs. Walker, who receives a salary of .£2O per annum for the duty. Five of the girls exhibited specimens of sewing and fancy work, all well and neatly done. They can all do plain sewing, and some make their own clothing. The progress attained by the pupils in all stages of proficiency in the school reflects the highest credit upon ■ their teachers, and shows what might be effected in other places, if the Natives would only co-operate, and equally good teachers were forthcoming. The Natives of Molyneux are desirous that a school should be established there for their children, but the number is too few to warrant the expense being incurred. At present there are only 12 children—B boys and 4 girls—at the settlement. I attach a letter (Appendix B) from Hori Kcrei Taiaroa on the subject. Taieri. —My protracted stay in Southland prevented me visiting the Native settlement at Taieri, and I was consequently obliged to depute the duty to Mr. Watt to visit the schools there receiving aid from the Government, which he subsequently did on the 28th May. There are two schools in the district receiving aid from the Government for the education of the Native and half-caste children—one at Taieri Ferry, and the other at Taieri Beach. It would seem, however, from Mr. Watt's report, that the attendance of the children is most irregular. Of the 7 pupils on the books at Taieri Ferry School, only 4 were present. Three out of the number could read fairly in the Fourth and Third " Royal Reader/ and the " Second Scottish National Series," and the other one read indifferently in the " Fourth Royal Reader;" but none of them appeared to have much knowledge of what they read. In arithmetic they only could do the first three simple rules; and of geography, they knew next to nothing. The parents when questioned concerning the irregular attendance of the children, attributed it to their being required at home, and to illness which has been prevalent amongst them. The aggregate number of Native and half-caste children at the Taieri by the last census is 50, viz., 27 males and 23 females; of these, 17 only appear to have attended school. There was a much better attendance a few years ago, when the majority of the parents lived at one place. Two schools were in operation for a short time to the north of Dunedin, one at Brinn's Point, and the other at Tipitipi, Waikouaiti. The latter was kept by a Miss Robinson; there was a fair attendance, and the school was gaining in importance, when the teacher had to resign her situation to proceed to England, and since then matters have relapsed into their former condition. The Natives at this settlement are extremely anxious to have a school there. The present number of children is 16 —7 males and 9 females; and besides these, there are a number of half-caste children at Brinn's Point who would also attend. A site has been given for the purpose by the Provincial Government, comprising two quarter-acre sections, Nos. 12 and 13, Block VII., in a township contiguous to the Native reserve. The probable cost of a suitable building, including master's house, would be £250; and I would beg to recommend that their request be acceded to, for, independent of their right to consideration in the matter, the Natives at this settlement deserve special encouragement as well for their creditable condition as a community. Purakaunui. —A European school has been recently opened at Purakaunui, under an efficient master, to which the Native and half-caste children obtain admission. Only 4 children and 2 adults attend at present, the distance from the settlement being too great to admit of young children doing so, besides having a tidal flat to cross. I visited the school on the way to the Native settlement, but only found one out of the 4 children present. The attainments of the scholars, from information furnished by the master, appears to be as follows : —ln reading, 2 could read fairly in the " Fourth Book, Royal Reader," lin the Third, and lin the First. In arithmetic, 1 could do compound addition, and 1 simple addition ; the others had not been taught. In writing, 2 could write very creditably in copybooks, and lon a slate. One of the scholars, David Mamaru, appears to have a talent for drawing; some very creditable specimens done by him were exhibited by the master, and I afterwards saw some at the Native settlement equally as good. At Moeraki, Waimate, aud Arowhenua, the children have been prevented from attending the local schools, owing to the opposition evinced by some of the principal men to the payment by the parents of any part of the fees, on the ground that they were promised schools for their children free of charge. Another idea also prevails, that if they consent to the children attending school, it will prejudice their claim on the Government for compensation for non-fulfilment of these promises. The same feeling also prevails amongst the Natives residing at Banks Peninsula. Independent of these causes, the want on the part of the parents of a due appreciation of the benefits of education, has operated unfavourably against the establishment of schools. They see illiterate persons amongst the Europeans amass wealth and prosper, and argue from thence the inutility of learning. They are not slow to notice also the apathy shown by Europeans who neglect to send their children to schools within reach of their homes, either because they cannot afford to do so, or else have other employment for them.