G.—2a

5

As regards the school at Otamatea, I inspected the buildings, and, after conferring with Arama Karaka and the two Paikeas, I ascertained that they were willing to accept £200 for the buildings and 28 acres upon which they are situated. Arama Karaka also proposed to give 100 acres on the opposite side of the bay as a school endowment. They stated that they would write to me on the subject. When I receive their letter I will forward it to you, with the other papers in my possession relating to this establishment. I next inspected the school and examined the scholars, and was much pleased with their progress, particularly in English and geography. Mr. Haszard's way of teaching his pupils seems to work admirably, and he deserves much credit for having brought them on so well, both in knowledge and discipline. This establishment deserves to be fostered by the G-overnment. At Kopuru I found that Mr. Walker has £71 in his possession, being subscriptions from Tirarau and Parore and others for the establishment of a Native school on the Wairoa. I strongly recommend that this sum may be doubled by the Government, and that steps may be taken to have a suitable school-house erected. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister. John Jeemyn Symonds, E.M.

No. 6. Memorandum of a Visit by the Hon. the Native Minister to the Parawai School, Thames. On December 14, 1874, the Hon. the Native Minister visited the Parawai School, and was received by Mr. Allom, chairman, and other members of the School Board. The number of pupils present was about 87, of whom 14 are Native children, averaging 13 and 9 years old. The Native children were examined in reading and spelling, and, considering that some of them have only attended the school for three months, the examination was very satisfactory. They were also asked questions from pictures of natural history, in which they acquitted themselves well. Questions in addition in mental arithmetic were asked, and were well answered. The progress in writing was very marked. The children were clean and tidy, and, according to all appearances, the discipline of the school was well carried out. At the close all the children sang two or three verses of the National Anthem. Sir Donald McLean expressed himself to the teacher as being pleased with the condition and progress of the children. Subsequently, Mr. Allom asked whether the Grovernment would afford any help to the enlargement of the school, stating that there were many children, both European and Native, whose parents wished them to be admitted into the school, but that the Board, much against their will, could not grant their request, owing to the limited accommodation. He also spoke of the good feeling existing between the Native and European residents at Parawai, which was strengthened by the children of both races mixing one with another. Sir Donald, in reply, said that he quite recognised the advantages arising from the intermixing of the two races, and that he would see what could be done, conditional on the school reverting to its old status.

Enclosure in No. 6. MEMORANDUM for Sir DONALD McLEAN, K.C.M.G., re the Maori Pupils in above-named School. Parawai School, Thames, 18th December, 1874.

Name. Age. Date of Admission. Prize-holders (to-day). 'upara 'iaperahama itarete Turipona 'iomita [ihaua 12 11 10 6 11 7 5 8 (i 6 7 14 15 12 11 8 8th October, 1873 ... „ (left) English Grammar. » JJ 2nd March, 1874 ... 1st April „ h (left) irown 'ahimana 'irimona V^iropi Merimana V^aina loni likaera 20th „ 7th July „ 17th Aug. „ (left) 7th Sept. „ ... Eecitation. Arithmetic. » j) ••• jj >) 'era 2nd Nov. "„ lerama J. CoBrEN, Teacher. The Hon. Sir Donald McLean, I Defence and Native Minis' :.c.m. ■j er.