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I showed them at the meeting the great importance of keeping their children more constantly at school, and I believe they (the parents) will in future take a greater interest in the school than they have hitherto done. I have, &c, James Booth, R.M. The Under Secretary, Native Department, Wellington.

No. 13. The Resident Magistrate, Hamilton, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Hamilton, 7th July, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd ultimo, in reference to the school at Taupiri, and have the honor to state, for the information of the Native Minister, that I have had frequent opportunity of seeing the school at Taupiri during the last six months; also, on yesterday, the 6th instant. There is at present an average attendance of 13 children. There are 4 others who have been regular attendants at school for some time, but were sent away by the Rev. Heta Tarawhiti to try and get some supplies of food from their parents and friends; their return to the school depends, I believe, on the supplies of food obtained by them. On my occasional, visits at Taupiri, I have invariably found the children clean and neatly dressed, and orderly in their manner in school. Their attainments are limited, the elder children (4) only being able to read, the others reading and spelling words of one and two syllables. Several of them wrote very well; in fact, all were more advanced in writing than I expected; and in figures and ciphering some progress had been made. The children generally appeared to be kept well under control by Miss Mary Heta Tarawhiti who evidently takes great interest in their progress. She has also instructed them in singing and music, and I was much surprised at their efficiency. On the whole, the school is well conducted, and I think, progressive, and but for the uncertainty of their supplies of food, would make much better progress. While I was there half a ton of flour arrived, which had been purchased by the Rev. Heta Tarawhiti for the school. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, W. N. Searancke. Wellington.

No. 14. Mr. S. Locke, Resident Magistrate, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir,— Napier, 13th July, 1874. I have the honor to forward the following report of the Omahu and Pakowhai Native Schools, in this province, estahlished under the provisions of " The Native Schools Acts, 1867-71." The Pakowhai School was opened on the 9th January, and the Omahu School on the 15th August, 1872. Both schools are good, substantial buildings, each consisting of a large, well-ventilated school-room, four rooms for teachers, and play-ground and garden attached. The average attendance at the Pakowhai School for the past year has been—lo girls and 14 boys (Maoris), and 7 Europeans., At Omahu, the average attendance has been 14 girls and 15 boys. Mr. Bissell has been teacher of the Pakowhai School from the commencement. He has proved himself to be most efficient and painstaking. His salary at present is £150 a year—twothirds of which amount is paid by Government, and the remaining one-third by the Natives. Mr. Bower, the teacher of the Omahu School, only commenced in November last, on the same salary as Mr. Bissell. Mrs. Bower deserves great credit for the interest she takes in teaching the girls sewing, knitting, and the general requirements of housework. This is an important point (which has been somewhat overlooked), if permanent improvement is to be attained. The teachers of the Omahu and Pakowhai schools speak very highly of the usefulness of the small school book written by Mr. Colenso, called " Willies First English Book." As far as means would allow, all English games, such as cricket, football, &c., have been encouraged. The Committee of the Pakowhai School has now a clear balance of £90 12s. lid.; and the Omahu School Committee has £193 13s. Id. The survey of the block of land at Ohaoko, Patea, of about 60,000 acres (mentioned in a former report), as given by Renata Kawepo and others as an endowment for the Omahu School, is now completed, and will be leased by tender or auction without delay. Of the success of the endeavour to teach the rising generation of Maoris the English language, as far as this district is concerned, there can be no doubt. Some of the youths have so far progressed, that it is time to consider whether a further step should not be taken in apprenticing a few of the more advanced to some useful trades. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. S. Locke.