15

G.— 2

St. Stephen's School: Auckland, 7th April, 1876. —On roll: 19 boys. Present, 18. Maps, &c. : Hemispheres, Europe, Asia, Africa, America, World, New Zealand, Palestine, &c. Desks, sufficient. Writing, fair; reading, fair; apprehension of the meaning of words, fair; arithmetic, fair; copying from books on slate, very good; spelling, fair; geography, fair; composition, very fair. I consider that the school is conducted in a satisfactory manner. A few Europeans attend as day scholars, which is beneficial to the Native pupils. The school-room has been improved since my last visit. A map of the Pacific, one of the British Isles (showing the counties), and another black-board are required. Some time since the Hon. the Native Minister made a grant of £\Q to purchase entertaining English books for the pupils of this school, with a view to give them a taste for reading. The master informs me that the books have been read with avidity over and over again, and that the pupils are very desirous of a fresh supply. The domestic arrangements of the establishment are fully as good as can be fairly expected. Teacher, 1: Mr. Davis. Otamatea School: 26th April, 1876.—0n roll: Boys, 30; girls, 20=50. Present, 29. Maps, &c.: Hemispheres, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Africa, Asia; Royal Wall-cards, blackboard, ball-frame. Three desks each 12 feet long, and three each 10 feet=66 feet. Writing, fair; reading, very fair; apprehension of the meaning of words, fair; arithmetic, fair; copying from books on slate, fair; geography, fair; composition, fair, so far as it went—requires to be more generally taught. Object teaching, practised. Needlework is taught, I learned, on two days each week, but difficulties sometimes arise from the girls not bringing materials. Some of them, I was informed, can cut out and make their own clothes. I was also informed that they get lessons in starching and cooking. Many of the pupils show a great taste for music, which the master endeavours to develop. lam of opinion that the school is conducted in a satisfactory manner. The master has evidently considerable natural aptitude for teaching. He appears to grasp every means within his reach of improving his methods. He adopts the plan of teaching but small portions at a time, and teaching these thoroughly : this is the true plan to adopt in Native schools, and indeed in all schools. The desks are too high. Two more desks and forms are required. Teachers, 2: Mr. and Mrs. Haszard. Note.—The small number in attendance is accounted for by many of the pupils having gone to a tangi. Taumarere (Kawakawa) School: 17th May, 1876. —On roll: Boys, 4; girls, 13=17. Present, 13. Maps, &c. : Maps, desks, and ball-frame required. Some of the children at this school are Europeans. There are twelve Native girls, boarders, paid for by the Government. Writing, fair; reading, fair; arithmetic, middling; copying from books on slate, fair; composition, requires to be more practised. The want of maps has precluded any knowledge of geography being imparted. The pupils appear to be carefully taught, and to make fair progress, when allowance is made for the want of apparatus and furniture. The boarders are taught to make their own dresses, to cook, and perform other household duties. The dormitory is very neat, but too small, and the ventilation requires to be looked to. The mistress of the school, Mrs. Tautari, has promised that an improvement shall take place in these matters. Waiomio School: 18th May, 1876.—0n roll: Boys, 18; girls, 10=28. Present: Boys, 10; girls, 4=14. Maps, &c. : World (physical), New Zealand, Mechanical Charts; no black-board sr ball-frame; 12 desks, each 7 feet long. Writing, fair; reading, fair;• apprehension of the meaning of words, fair; arithmetic, fair; geography, knowledge of, slight; composition, not hitherto sufficiently attended to. Recitation, practised. Needle-work taught twice a week : some of the girls, I was informed, can make up their own dresses, but cannot yet cut out. Singing is practised; neatness, fair. I consider that the school is on the whole very fairly conducted. The master shows a natural aptitude for teaching. The attendance is, from various causes, by no means regular. Some of the pupils, whose names appear on the roll, have left the district. Many of the pupils come from a distance, and lodge in the neighbourhood of the school. Some improvement in the manner these children are lodged and fed seems to be required. The map of the world in use is unsuitable. Nelson's Hemispheres should, I think, be supplied, as well as a map of the British Isles, showing the counties, and a black-board and ballframe. A bell to summon the pupils is also much required. The master tells me that he has been for some time anxious to organize a fife and drum band, but that the Natives are unable to contribute the requisite funds. A school-house 30 feet x 20 feet, and a dwelling-house of four rooms for the master, have been erected, and appear to be well built. Teachers, 2: Mr. and Mrs. Lorrigan. Oromohoe (Bay of Islands) School: 19th May, 1876.—0n roll: Boys, 19; girls, 5=24. Present, 13. Maps, &c.: Hemispheres, Europe, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Oceania, 3 black-boards; 8 desks, each 10 feet long. Writing, fair ; reading, fair; arithmetic, middling; copying from books on slate, fair; geography, fair; composition (English), should be more practised; apprehension of the meaning of words, fair. The pupils should be trained to explain in English.