3

G.—2

rally admitted that the progress made by the whole of the pupils was in the highest degree creditable to the masters and children. The distribution of prizes took place after the children had had a supply of plum cakes and other edibles, to which they did full justice. The dux of the schools on receiving his prize, a very handsome writing-desk, was loudly cheered by the boys who were not so fortunate as himself, and, when the prizes had been distributed to the successful competitors, three ringing cheers were given each for His Excellency the Governor, Sir Donald McLean, and the examiners. The day was unfortunately very wet, and the children were consequently debarred from engaging in out-door sports; but, Professor Jacobs being in the district, he at the cost of a few friends gave an entertainment of ventriloquism and magic, at which 108 of the children were present, and enjoyed it immensely. At the close of the performance each pupil received a supply of sweetmeats; and so ended the first gathering of the pupils from various Native schools, after having a very pleasant day. Such a meeting as we had must be productive of the most beneficial results, as the prospect of similar reunions annually will prove an incentive to both teachers and taught to obtain for their respective schools the highest honors. I have, &c., Spencer yon Stunner, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Resident Magistrate.

No. 4. Mr. S. yon Stunner, R.M., Hokianga, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Hokianga, 28th April, 1876. I have the honor herewith to report that during the past twelve months I have repeatedly inspected the five Native schools in operation in this district, and feel great pleasure in stating that I have on every occasion found them to be working in a most satisfactory manner. After having existed for upwards of three years, it is extremely gratifying, as will be shown by the quarterly returns, to find that the attendance of pupils has not fallen off, and that the Natives have not in any way become careless or indifferent to the advantages to be derived from the education of their children in the English language. The number of children actually attending these schools during the quarter ending the 31st of March last was, —Boys, 133; girls, 107 —giving an average of 48 for each school; and the amount of school fees paid to me by the school committees during the year ending the 31st of March has reached the very respectable sum of £96 9s. 2d. I have no complaints to make of any of the teachers, who have been, and I believe are, doing their duty in a most efficient manner, the progress made by the pupils of all these schools being highly satisfactory. One great advantage which is more particularly noticed by strangers is the improvement in the personal appearance of the children at the various settlements, they being at all times well clad and tidy, the habits of cleanliness which are most rigidly enforced being the cause of this most pleasing change. At Waitapu, owing to the very isolated position of the school, the attendance is not large, averaging about 17, and I see but little prospect of an increase in the number, though at the same time I believe it is not likely to fall off. Mrs. Hill, the schoolmistress, I am sorry to say, has been very ill during the past four months, which has in a measure prevented the girls making that progress with their sewing which I could have wished; but in every other respect the children under the management of Mr. Hill have'made a considerable advance. The committee have suffered a severe loss in the death of the late Wiremu Tana Papahia, who took an active interest in this school, and who, as long as health permitted him, was a zealous and painstaking committeeman. Singing is taught in the whole of the schools, of which the children are exceedingly fond, and for which they show great aptitude. The Maori-English school books, as supplied by Government, are now getting into use, and it is surprising to see the ease and correctness with which many of the more advanced pupils translate a sentence into English from the Maori language. Except in this instance, no Maori is allowed to be spoken in school, and at some of the schools where European children attend English is the language of play-hours also, and to hear the children, while playing cricket, rounders, or croquet, of which latter game they are very fond, making use of the ordinary terms of English school children, is in itself a proof of the great advance they are making in the knowledge of our language. The Natives of Lower Waihou—a Rarawa settlement on the north bank of the river, the residence of the Assessor Re Te Tai Papahai—seeing the benefits to be derived from these schools, have lately placed in my hands the sum of .€SO as their subscription towards the erection of the same. The average attendance at this school, when opened, will, I believe, be not less than 40. Circumstances like the above go far to show that the Natives are fully alive to the advantages to be derived from a European education, and I feel convinced that no Act of the Legislature affecting the Maori people has been more beneficial to them, or will have done more