G.—2a

14

I was glad to find that, although the total number of children attending the schools was smaller than it ought to have been, the registers showed a good average attendance. It is a proof that those parents who value education aid the teachers in their endeavours to secure regular attendance. Now that the experiment of day-schools has proved a success, I think that the school hours might be lengthened with advantage, and a nearer approach made to the system prevailing in the English primary schools as regards school hours and holidays. A small sum (say thirty shillings) expended on prizes at each school, to be distributed at the annual examination held by the Inspector, would serve as an incentive to the children, and would be favourably regarded by the parents. Some of the schools were wanting the necessary appliances for teaching. It would be well if these could be supplied as soon as the requisitions for them are sent in, as no teacher can possibly do his duty properly without them. As the schools are regarded as one of the chief civilizing agencies, it is desirable that the teachers should be encouraged to keep the buildings and premises in good order, and advised to enlist the sympathies of the neighbouring settlers in their work ; for the Maoris are proud of showing off before their Pakeha friends the acquirements of their children, and, while their vanity is fed, they are unconsciously being weaned from Maori prejudices, and they and their children trained to regard with greater favour the educational advantages with which the Government has provided them. Efforts are being made to establish schools at Little River, in Canterbury, and at Waikouaiti, in Otago, and, where the Maoris are allowed, I hope a larger number will in future send their children to the English schools ; so that next year we may hope that a larger proportion of the Native children in this island will be under instruction. James ~W. Stack, Inspector.

Appendix containing information respecting the Establishment of the Schools at Whakaptjaka, Waibaij, and Aeahuea. WhahapuaTca School: Edward Jennings, Master. —Salary, £100 per annum. School opened 2nd September, 1874. Average attendance, 11. School building, 45 feet 9 in. xl4 feet, divided into three rooms :—(1.) Schoolroom, 20 x 13, 10 feet high in the walls, with a fireplace at one end. Calculated to accommodate 30 pupils. (2.) Teacher's sitting room, 13 x 11, 10 feet high in the walls, with a fireplace at one end. (3.) Bedroom, 13 x B.}, same height. The building was erected at the expense of the Nelson Native Reserve Fund, at a cost of £103. The master's salary is also paid from the same source. No aid has been received from the Government. It is submitted, however, that as the conditions of clause 14 of " The Native Schools Act, 1867," have been complied with, a proportion of the master's salary should be defrayed out of the vote for Native schools. Wairau School : John Curling, Master.—Salary, £120 per annum, paid equally out of school vote and the Nelson Native Reserve Fund. School opened 4th March, 1874. Number of children attending during the quarter ended 31st March 1875, 14—8 boys and 6 girls. Dimensions of original building, 42 x 18, divided into three rooms : —(1.) Schoolroom, 30 x 18. (2.) Master's room, 12 x 12. (3.) Bedroom, 6 x 12. Cost, £150, of which £50 was paid by the Government, and £100 by the Nelson Native Reserve Fund. £10 was also paid by the Government for furniture and books, and other requisites have also been supplied from the same source. A wing 20 x 18, divided into two rooms, has been added at the eastern end of the original building, to give additional accommodation, at a cost of £210, borne equally by the Government and the Nelson Native Reserve Fund. In addition to this, £64 15s. 9d. has been expended out of the fund for extras, and £67 to enclose the land around the school premises. The total sum expended on the premises amounts to £501 15s. 9d., of which the Government paid £165, and the Native Reserve Fund £336 15s 9d. Arahura School: Samuel Fittall, Master. —Salary, £150 per annum, paid equally out of school vote and Greymouth Native Reserve Fund. School opened in October, 1874. The school building, including furniture and fittings, cost £169. An addition has recently been made to the premises, at a cost of £82 10s., making an aggregate sum of £251; the whole of which has been borne by the Greymouth Native Reserve Fund. Besides the above-mentioned schools, it is important that provision should be made for the Native children residing in Queen Charlotte Sound, and at the Pelorus and Kaikoura. In the Sound there are over 40 children, at the Pelorus there are 23, and at Kaikoura about 30. The Local Board of Education in the Pelorus has recently received a grant of £100 from the Provincial Government for the erection of a supplementary school in that district, but as this sum is insufficient, aid is asked from the Native funds on the condition that the school is to be available for the Native children belonging to the district. This would be a good opportunity of bringing education within their reach. With regard to the children residing in Queen Charlotte Sound, a special school would be requisite, and "Waikawa would be the best position for it. There is a small Government reserve adjacent to the beach, in the centre of the Native land, that would answer admirably as a site for the school buildings, if sufficient funds were forthcoming for the purpose. The expense, however, would have to be met by the General Government, as the Native Reserve Fund is at too low an ebb to bear any extra charge. Arrangements might be possibly made with the Local Boards at Kaikoura for the admission of the children belonging to that locality. In any case it is a difficult district to make provision for, owing to the scattered manner in which the Natives live. Alexandee Mackat.

No. 15. Rev. J. W. Stack, Christchurch, to the Hon. the Native Ministeb. Report of Native School, Kaiapoi, for Quarter ending 30th June, 1875. I ah glad to report that the school continues in a satisfactory condition, both as regards numbers and the progress of the children.