G.— 2.

12

Reading: Ist Class. —Number in class, 9. Book, No. 1, Irish series. One, very well j three, fairly; five, imperfectly. Spelling : Two, good; seven, fair. Dictation : One, good ; eight, fair. Arithmetic: A.,D.,M.: Two, good; four, fair; one, imperfect. Comp. A. and M.: One good ; one, fair. Mental arithmetic and tables : All did fairly. Writing: All writing in copybooks; books clean and carefully written. The writing on slates was very good. Geography: New Zealand and Map of World. Two, good ; five, fair; four, imperfect. Drill: All the boys were proficient. I was accompanied to Wakapuaka by Mr. Commissioner Mackay, who takes a warm interest in the welfare of this school. I found the schoolroom clean, and the children clean and tidy. The discipline of the school seemed good, and fair progress had been made since my last inspection in all the subjects taught, and Mr. Jennings deserves great credit for the manner in which he has discharged his duties. I was glad to find that the schoolroom is about to be lined, as the building stands in rather an exposed situation, and, as long as it is unlined, must be very cold. The day was unfortunately so wet that the Natives were prevented being present during the examination, as were also the Bishop of Nelson and the Rev. Mr. Grace, who had kindly promised to be there. I was sorry to miss the opportunity of addressing the parents, who need to be constantly reminded of their duties towards their children. Motueka Church of England Board's School: Inspected, 3rd May, 1876. Master, Mr. J. Baker.—Highest number on books, 10. Present at inspection, 6 girls, 3 boys : total 9. Schoolroom clean and neatly furnished. Reading books and maps wanted. Reading: Ist Class.—Number in class, 3. Book, " Third Reading Book" (one copy for the class). Two, fair; one, imperfect. All understood the meaning of the text, and could speak most of the words in the reading lesson. 2nd Class. —Number in class, 4. Book, " Spelling Book for Maori Children/ published in 1852 (a more suitable book ought to be provided). Two, fair; two, imperfect. 3rd Class. —Two, easy words of one syllable. Dictation : Two wrote easy words well; rest made no attempt. Arithmetic: Compound multiplication and division : One, good; one, fair. Simple multiplication : Three, imperfect. Addition : One, fair. All knew multiplication tables well; six money tables and weights. Writing : Copybooks clean and fairly written. One, good ; four, fair. Music : Just commencing to learn by notes. Geography : No map of New Zealand. Two could point out the continents in map of the world; rest seemed to know very little about it. Recitation : Three of the girls recited pieces of poetry; one a piece of twenty-three verses remarkably well. Sewing: The plain sewing and fancy work were beautifully executed, and reflected very great credit on Mrs. Baker, who must have bestowed much pains in teaching the girls. Mr. and Mrs. Baker seem very zealous in the discharge of their duties, and merit greater encouragement than they receive from both parents and children. Motueka: Report on the Motueka Church of England Native School. —At the request of the Bishop of Nelson, I visited and inspected this school on the 3rd May, 1876. The school was formerly carried on in a building known as the College, but for various reasons it was found impossible to continue it there, and it was accordingly moved to premises situated nearer to where the Maoris live. A house was secured by the Bishop for the master, and adjoining it a room, 20ft. by 14ft., was built as a schoolroom and dining-room, the dormitory being above it. There is a fireplace in the schoolroom,but,as the buildingis unlined,it must bevery cold in winter. The kitchen opens into the schoolroom and connects it with the master's apartments. I did not see the children at their meals, and could not judge of the quality of their food, but from their appearance I have no hesitation in saying that they were in the habit of faring very well. I found nine children at the school, one less than their full number, —six boys and three boys. They were all clean and well clad. The boys go home at night, the girls only sleeping on the premises. The attendance is very small, owing to a deep-rooted prejudice of old standing existing in the minds of the Maoris against the school, and so successfully have the parents instilled their opinions into the minds of their children that when they do attend many of them seemed determined not to learn. Anything more discouraging that the work of teaching the Motueka School can hardly be conceived ; for, while the parents are ready enough to complain of want of progress made by the children, they encourage them to neglect their lessons and will not permit them to be punished for neglecting them. Both parents and children (with one or two exceptions) seem bent on thwarting, in every way they can, the object for which the school is established. (A full account of the origin of this ill feeling towards the school will be found at page 291 of Blue Book on Native Affairs, South Island, Vol. II.) It is highly probable that the Maoris have been told that the .reserves would lapse unless the provisions of the trust were carried out, and that they hope to effect this by keeping back their children, forgetting that if they did lapse they would not come into their possession, but revert to the Crown. The industrial training is limited to the girls, who do the cooking and home work, and the making and mending of clothes. This domestic training is of the highest importance for the future well-being of the Native race, and we can only regret that so few are receiving the benefit of it.