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Kawdkawa. —lnspected September 1. The school is at Waiomio, about five miles from the landing place and three from the coal mines. It was commenced in October, 1873, with 27 children, viz.: 15 boys and 12 girls. 21 were present at the inspection, which was unexpected. Tho first class, of 11, are reading the second (2nd) series of "The Young Ecader," while the other class, of 10, are in " Step by Step." In arithmetic 3of the more advanced are in simple division, though nearly all can say the multiplication table, and those of weights and measures. There are no desks, maps, nor black-board, and only about half enough books and slates. The singing was particularly nice. Considering the difficulties which the teacher, Mr. Lorrigau, has to contend with, owing to the limited accommodation, the inadequate supply of books, and the distance he has to walk to and from the school (about three miles), tho progress of the scholars is very gratifying. I am informed that the chairman of the committee sent a requisition for school materials nine months ago, but they have not yet arrived. The school is held in the private house of the chief Maihi Paraone Kauiti, under every disadvantage. Maihi told me that he had set apart 120 acres of valuable land in four different blocks for school purposes, and that Mr. H. T. Kemp had promised that, as soon as the land was transferred, a house should be built. As I understand that the surveys and necessary documents have been forwarded to Auckland, may I urge the immediate erection of the building, as absolutely necessary for carrying on the most promising school in the district of the Bay of Islands ? Waimate. —Inspected September 2. Established in September, 1872, with 70 children. At the end of the first quarter these decreased to 35. The average for tho quarter ending June 30, of the current year, was 5, and that of last month (August) was 3. There were only 2 present at the inspection to-day. The most advanced pupils at the end of 1873 could read an easy chapter in the New Testament. The highest in arithmetic were in compound addition. The school is held in the Native hostelry attached to the court-house, and is well supplied with all requisites excepting a black-board. I attribute the falling off of the school to the distance at which the children live from it, as none are nearer than a mile, while many of tho most regular travelled three or four miles. I regret that I had not time to visit Parengarenga. As the journey is rather a formidable one for this time of year, it would have occasioned a longer absence from my clerical duties than I could feel justified in incurring. In concluding may I venture to offer two or three suggestions ? 1. That the Government offer one prize to the best scholar of, say, a school of 20, and two prizes to one of 35. The prizes might be in the form of clothes or books to a certain value. 2. That there be an annual examination of all the schools, and that the 2 scholars out of tho whole Northern district who pass the best examination (the standard to be fixed by the Government) should be maintained at an English school for three years at tho public expense. Boys would then have a definite object in view, which would stimulate them to greater diligence than they now manifest. 3. That all the teachers bo required to drill the children, both boys and girls; for I cannot conceive of anything so conducive to habits of order and obedience as the discipline involved in having to movo at the word of command. I have, &c, To the Hon. the Native Minister. ' E. B. Claeke.

No. 2. Mr. S. Yon Stuemee, Eesidcnt Magistrate, Hokianga, to the Undee Seceetaet, Native Department. Sic, — Eesident Magistrate's Office, Hokianga, 7th January, 1875. The Native Schools being now in Christmas vacation, I beg to forward, for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister, a report on the state of the five Native Schools in this district now in operation. Two of them, viz., those of Pakia and Eakau Para, having only been opened during the past quarter, I can make no report as to the progress of the pupils ; in each case they are presided over by a master and mistress. On every occasion that I have visited these Schools I have found them properly conducted. At Pakia the attendance since the commencement has averaged 41, of all ages from six to seventeen years, and the numbers are likely to be more numerous during the present year. At Eakau Para the attendance has been 50, between the ages of six and seventeen years; in addition to this, Mr. Harrison, the teacher at this school, has, at the request of the natives, opened a night school for the instruction of adults, which has been well attended, each pupil paying Mr. Harrison one shilling per week. Hori Karaka Tawhiti, the Chairman of School Committee, informs me that he believes it will be necessary to enlarge the schoolroom, as at the re-opening of the school he anticipates an attendance of upwards of 80 children. In October last I attended an examination of the school children at Waima, when upwards of 60 pupils were in attendance, and the progress made by them in reading, writing, spelling, and the English language was most marked. Several small prizes were given to the more advanced pupils, the prize for speaking and writing English being awarded to Kereama Tawhai, grandson of Mohi Tawhai. I have visited this school several times during the half-year last past, and have always found Mr. Moore, the teacher, at his post, doing his duty in a most efficient manner, his pupils and schoolroom neat and clean, a credit to himself and tho district. The attendance for the past quarter at this school has averaged 40. I examined the children at the Whirinaki School on the 16th December. There were 41 in attendance. I found the progress made to be most satisfactory; the first class, containing about 18 pupils, being able to read, speak, and write easy sentences of English correctly, showing also a fair knowledge of geography and arithmetic. I visited Waitapu early in December; but found the attendance small. The children here have made a considerable advance in all the branches of an English education; but lam sorry to say the