3

G.—4,

the opening of this school, which will take place at the end of the winter holidays, about the 16th July. The probable attendance will be between 30 and 40 pupils, though at the first opening it will most likely be a great deal larger. On the 28th instant I examined the Lower Waihou School, in charge of the Misses Lundon. I found 46 children from five to sixteen years of age in attendance, of whom 38 reside within a quarter of a mile of the school buildings. The children were remarkably neat and clean in their appearance, and I was glad to observe that the majority of them were under ten years of age, as I find that the younger children are much more apt and quicker in learning to speak English than those of a more mature age, who seldom, if ever, obtain a proper pronunciation of the letters B, D, L, and S. I examined them in reading, writing, mental arithmetic, and tables of weights and measures; but as the school has only been open since the 21st ultimo, and only three of the pupils had been to any other school, I found them very backward, but I have no doubt that on my next visit I shall find them vastly improved. They seemed to be very fond of their teachers, who are evidently doing their utmost to bring them forward. I was much pleased with the neatness of the pupils, and the order maintained in the schoolroom. The girls have regular sewing lessons every day, and are making great progress. A night class is held three evenings in every week for adults, which is well attended, each pupil paying one shilling per week to the Misses Lundon. After examining the school I held a meeting of the committee, and endeavoured to impress upon them tho necessity for regularity in the attendance of the children, and that the school could not be a real success unless they took an active interest in it themselves. I think it probable that after the novelty has somewhat worn off the attendance will not be quite so large or regular as at present; but, at the same time, Ido not think it will ever average less than 35 pupils. I have this day forwarded to the Public Account, at the Bank of New Zealand at Auckland, the sum of £17 25., amount of school fees collected for the quarter ended 31st March, 1877—viz., Pakia, £3; Waima, £6; Orira, £6 ; "Waitapu, £2 2s.—the duplicate receipt for which I will send you as soon as I receive it from Auckland. I am sorry to see the falling off" is so great at Pakia, and am of opinion that the teacher, Mr. Woods, is very much to blame for this. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Spencer yon Stunner, Wellington. Kesident Magistrate.

No. 5. Mr. H. T. Kemp, C.C., to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Civil Commissioner's Office, Auckland, 27th April, 1877. I do myself the honor to report, for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister, that, at the close of the proceedings which recently took place at a Native meeting held on the Otamatea, a request was made by the principal chiefs that an examination of the Native scholars attending the Government school might be made in the presence of the chiefs by the officer deputed to represent the Government, which was willingly undertaken, Mr. J. S. Clendon, the Clerk of the Kaipara Court, assisting. Por the convenience of all parties the Runanga-house, a spacious building, was occupied for the occasion, and much interest apparently shown by the parents and friends who attended to witness the examination. Mr. and Mrs. Haszard (in whose praise too much cannot be said) were both in attendance with their classes, and were able by a judicious arrangement of the scholars to lead off with spirit the subjects on which the pupils were to discourse. Although the number of pupils actually in attendance was rather below the average, still the ready manner with which the majority of them acquitted themselves in the several departments of reading, writing, spelling, dictation, and arithmetic, left no doubt as to the zealous efforts made by the master, and the steady attention given on the part of many of the scholars. The English pronunciation also was in some few cases remarkably good. Por the younger classes the system of object teaching, introduced by Mr. Haszard, made it comparatively easy to fix on the memory what in the ordinary mode of teaching would take so much longer time, patience, and perseverance. The result was, I am glad to say satisfactory, both to the scholars and their friends; after which, the pupils were briefly addressed by Paul Tuhaere in Maori, and by myself in English, after which the pupils partook of a tea, which was in part contributed at the Government expense. I should not omit to mention that I availed myself of the occasion to inspect the school buildings recently purchased and repaired by the Government. Ventilation has not been lost sight of, and the whole, when completely fenced, will form a compact and I think attractive institution, specially designed, as it purports to be, for acquiring a knowledge of the " English language." I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, H. T. Kemp, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

No. 6. Mr. H. W. Brabant, R.M., Tauranga, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Tauranga, 31st March, 1877. I have the honor to submit the following as my half-yearly report on Native schools in the Bay of Plenty District. Owing to the large amount of work which has been thrown on me since my