G.—2

6

ing between the teacher and the Natives, but, as this matter will be reported on separately, it is unnecessary further to allude to it here. 8. Ohinemutu School. —This school has not been re-opened since the last teacher resigned, nor can I recommend its re-establishment for the present, because the building formerly used, ruinous enough then, has since become quite useless, and further, there are no quarters for a teacher. I held a meeting of the resident Natives, urging on them the criminality of their neglecting the education of their children. I succeeded in getting a promise from them to subscribe ,£SO towards a building, and when this is in hand I propose to recommend for your favourable consideration their application for a school-house. About half this sum has already been promised, and the subscription list was very kindly taken charge of by Messrs. Mitchell and Young, Government Land Purchase Agents, at present at Ohinemutu, who, as you are aware, feel great interest in the education of the Natives. They have promised to communicate with me when the amount is in hand, which they expect will be very shortly. The Natives have already set apart a site for a school, which has been approved of by Mr. Hamlin, R.M. 9. Rotoiti School. —When I was at Rotoiti on 21st December, I found that Major Wood, formerly teacher here, but who had been removed to the North, had now, at the special request of Te Wata and his tribe, returned to this school. This I believe to be a wise step, as I find that the success of Native schools so much depends on the cordiality or otherwise which exists between the teacher and the parents of the children. As Major Wood has only been here a few days, his school could not be expected to be in working order, but some of the children had already commenced attendance, and I found that, although the school had been shut for some time, the pupils had not forgotten all they had learnt. 10. Ohiwa School. —l inspected Ohiwa School on 23rd December. There were 10 present (2 Europeans), out of 15 on the roll. The school never was a large one, and as most of the original pupils have left for Rotorua, and their places been supplied by young children, the progress is not so apparent as it would have been. Two of the original pupils were examined in reading, spelling, arithmetic, dictation, translating English into Maori, tables, geography, &c, when they showed improvement. The other children had made some advancement in easy reading. The Natives here have a project, not yet quite matured, for removing the master and school to Ruhirua, on Rotorua Lake, which I see no reason to oppose, as it would most probably considerably increase the number under instruction. This concludes the list of schools at present under my inspection, which, notwithstanding the many drawbacks, I am happy to be able to report in a progressive state. I have, &c, Herbert W. Brabant, District Inspector, Native Schools. The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. 0 _________________

No. 7. Mr. J. H. Campbell, E.M., Waiapu, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir,— Waiapu, 28th November, 1875. I have the honor to report that Mr. and Mrs. Green, teachers for the Waiapu School, arrived here on the 21st instant, and the school is to open on Monday next. I have returned from an examination of the Akuaku School, ■which was highly satisfactory. The progress made by the scholars and their general proficiency in reading, writing, and geography, is really surprising. There were 40 present, the proper complement being between 50 and GO. I was much pleased at hearing them all repeat the Creed, Lord's Prayer, and Ten Commandments in English, almost as distinctly as we could; and in geography there was no part of the continents of Europe, Asia, Africa, or America, that they were not able to point out, naming at the same time the Kings, Emperors, Presidents, &c., of the various countries. A feast is to take place on the 16th proximo, at the closing for the Christmas holidays, to which the parents, and one or two Europeans, with myself, are contributing. It would, I think, be very judicious and encouraging to the children if a small amount, say £5, were allowed by the Hon. Native Minister to be expended in small prizes to a few of the most deserving scholars. I would take this opportunity of again recommending that a few bats and balls or something of the kind be allowed for this school and Akuaku, to entice the children to regular attendance. I have, &c., The Under Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. J. H. Campbell.

No. 8. Mr. J. A. Wilson, Gisborne, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Land Purchase Office, Gisbome, 21st September, 1875. I have the honor to report during the past montli I have visited all the schools in my district, namely the schools at Tokomaru, Tologa, and Whakato. All the schools were visited by