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compelled his return. Should this opportunity to advantage the boys be continued yearly by Mr. Stuart, it will form a great stimulus to their zeal; but unless the parents or friends are prepared to contribute liberally towards placing a boy either in a profession or trade, I cannot help thinking it a doubtful experiment. Although admitting tho highly meritorious character of the attempt, my own views are practically confined to enabling the Native youth to communicate freely in English with the settlers—in fact, to substitute English for Maori, and to stimulate the energy and working capacity of these youths, too much inclined to idleness. However, the thanks of the whole community are due to the Rev. Mr. Stuart for his kind and disinterested action. Very little public interest has been manifested on this subject, the minds of the settlers being engaged on their own immediate concerns ; but it is one that must ultimately force itself on public attention, or New Zealand will be filled by a vagrant and criminal class of Maoris. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, W. B. White, "Wellington. Eesident Magistrate.

No. 2. Mr. S. yon Stunner, R.M., Hokianga, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir, —■ Resident Magistrate's Office, Hokianga, Ist August, 1876. I have the honor to inform you that at the invitation of Hori Hare and other chiefs, the descendants and relatives of the late Tamati Waka Nene, residing at the Upper Waihou, I attended a meeting at that place on the 29th July, the object of the meeting being to establish a school for the benefit of the Native children in the Utakura and Waihou Districts. An excellent site of two acres, having a frontage to the Waihou River, was selected on the farm of Mr. J. Ogle, that gentleman having expressed his willingness to hand the piece chosen over to the Government as a Native school reserve. Hori Hare having placed in my hands the sum of £50, being the amount subscribed by the Natives towards the erection of the necessary school buildings, the meeting proceeded to elect a committee, when the following persons were chosen, viz.: —Rihari Raumati, Horomona Whakau, Pita Anihana, Hohaia Patuone, Rapana te Waha, and James Ogle ; with Hori Hare as chairman. The Natives fully understand that they will have to contribute towards the salary of the teacher at the rate of £24 per annum. On the occasion of the late visit of His Excellency the Governor to the Bay of Islands, this matter was brought under the notice of the Hon. the Native Minister, and, I believe, approved by him. In recommending the establishment of a school at the Upper Waihou, I have the honor- to state that this will be the last required to meet the educational wants of the Natives on the banks of the Hokianga River and its tributaries. The number of children of an age to attend school residing at an easy distance from the site fixed upon exceeds 60, but an average attendance of 40 may be relied upon. The Natives are most anxious to have this school opened as soon as possible. If the Government approve of it, I should feel obliged if you would permit me to call for tenders for the erection of the buildings at once. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Spencer yon Stunner, Wellington. Resident Magistrate.

No. 3. The Under Secretary, Native Department, to S. yon Stunner, R.M., Hokianga. Sir,— Native Office, Wellington, 20th October, 1876. In reply to your letter of the Ist August last, on the subject of the establishment of a school for the benefit of Native children residing in the Utakura and Waihou Districts, I have the honor to inform you that the Honorable the Native Minister has authorized a similar amount of money being expended in the erection of school buildings in this instance as was allowed for the school at the Lower Waihou, and you are requested to be good enough to have tenders called for to carry out this work with as little delay as possible. Care should be taken that a deed of transfer is completed for the land alluded to in your letter intended as a school site. I have, <fee, Spencer yon Stunner, Esq., R.M., Richard John Gill, Hokianga. Secretary for Native Schools.

No. 4. Mr. S. yon Stunner, R.M., Hokianga, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Hokianga, 30th June, 1877. I have the honor to inform you that on the 23rd instant I proceeded to Upper Waihou for the purpose of inspecting and passing the Native school buildings lately erected there. lam glad to say that they are built and finished in a most satisfactory manner. I enclose herewith duplicate receipts for the sums of £50 and £148 10s. respectively, the former amount being the sum subscribed by the Natives, and the latter being the amount given by the Government in aid of their erection. Owing to heavy floods washing away a large portion of the material from the banks of the river, and the contractor having to get a second supply from Auckland, a delay of two months has been caused in