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removal to Tauranga, I was unable to absent myself for a long enough period to make a complete tour of the schools at one time ; but I have at various times, and as interfered least with my other duties visited each school in my district. 1. Matata School: Teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Creeke. —This school I visited on the 11th December last. There were then 31 on the roll, of whom 26 were present. I examined all the children in the usual subjects, and found good progress made since my last visit. The reading and writing of all were very good, and the pupils recited various poetical selections better than I have yet heard in a Native school. The discipline is good, and I may add that this school sustains its reputation of being the best in the district. 2. Whakatane School: Teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Stewart. —When I inspected this school on December 18th, there were present 40 children, out of 68 on the books. I carefully examined them, and traced considerable progress; arithmetic being, as I have before remarked, better taught than the other branches. The discipline continues defective, but I have always thought that to give the teacher a fair chance, considering the large number attending, there should be au assistant teacher here. 3. Maketu School: Teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Pinker. —I was at this school on December 20th. I found 26 present, out of 45 on the roll. This school for some time past had been very poorly attended, and at one time I thought it would have to be closed, but during the latter half of 1876 the attendance has greatly increased, and the Natives seem to be again taking interest in it. I found considerable progress made by the few scholars who had been in attendance any length of time, but the greater number were beginners. 4. Omarumutu School.- —I visited this school on January 27th, but found the master had not resumed his duties since the Christmas holidays. After inquiry, his services were dispensed with, and I have been endeavouring to find a suitable man as a successor, but at present without success. 5. Opotiki Provincial School: Teacher, Mr. Wyatt and two others.—This is a large European school of about 100 scholars. When I visited it on January 28th there were 7 Native children attendiug, mostly from Hira te Popo's settlement: one of them is a Native half-caste, who has been taught English at this school, and is now as far advanced as the Europeans of the same age. The others have only attended for a short time. The placing of Native children in the European common schools is a plan which, in my opinion, should be extended wherever practicable, as the results are always gratifying. Ido not find that it is objected to by the parents of the European children :in fact the only difficulty is to get the Natives to send the children, their excuse being that they are unable always to find them in clothes, while their pride will not allow them to let them go worse dressed than the Europeans. 6. Omaio School: Teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Hill.—This school was only established in November last. When I inspected it on January 30th there were no fewer than 65 scholars present—certainly more than the schoolroom could conveniently hold, or the master manage. Judging from former experience, however, it is not likely that after the novelty has worn off the attendance will be so high. Mr. Hill appears to have taken great pains with them, and to have made fully as much progress as could be expected in the time. The greatest good feeling appeared to exist between the Natives and Mr. and Mrs. Hill, who, I am glad to say, were also pleased and enthusiastic about the place and their work. 7. Maraetai School, Te Kaha: Teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Levert.—l was at Te Kaha School on January 31st. I found 36 present, out of 56 on the roll. The pupils at this school are older than is usual, many of them being young men and women who have had no schooling when they were children. They all appear, however, to attend with considerable regularity, and to be very earnest in the matter. 1 examined them, and found them making good progress. The teacher has ability, and evidently takes pains with his scholars. An addition has just been completed to his house accommodation, which, as he has a family, will add to his comfort. I made arrangements while there with the chief Mihaere for providing fencing for the school reserve. On passing Torere I spoke to Wi Kingi and his party about the projected school there, the late Sir Donald McLean having, some years ago, promised to build the Ngaitai a school if they would raise £50 towards its cost. He promised to raise the balance of the money. They have since done so ; and I have just called for tenders for the erection of the building, which will be erected on a site (two acres) which was set apart by the Natives for the purpose about three years ago. 8. Wairoa School, Tarawera Lake: Teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Haszard, who are assisted by their daughter. —I visited Te Wairoa on Eebruary 28th, and was much pleased at the contrast between the present state of the school and its appearance at my last visit. On that occasion, owing to a quarrel between the late teacher and the Natives, the attendance at the school had dwindled down to nil. Toil will remember that it was found impossible to reconcile the differences of teacher and the Natives, and at their request he was removed at the end of the year, and Mr. Haszard sent in his place. The latter, as far as lam able to judge at present, appears to be remarkably well fitted for the work. He and his family are very T popular with the Natives, and he, his wife and daughter, all seem to teach well, and to take a pleasure in doing it. I found considerable progress had been made even in the short time Mr. Haszard had been there; his method of teaching by object lessons appeared to me particularly good. I have frequently myself suggested this method to teachers, but as a rule find it difficult to get them to adopt it. I was glad to find Mr. Haszard intended fencing in some of the school reserve and cultivating the soil. 9. Roto-iti School: Teacher, Major Wood.—l visited this school on March Ist, when 15 were present, out of 44 on the books. I found considerable progress had been made since my last visit, and the teacher as painstaking as ever. 10. Te Awahou School. —l visited this school on March 3rd. It is at present held in a small building belonging to Te Katene Mapu, which is but ill fitted for the purpose. The Natives propose, however, to saw timber themselves for a proper building. The teacher, Mr. Avent, has been lately removed from Ohiwa, at the request of the Ngatirangiwewehi tribe, some of his pupils at Ohiwa accompanying him to the new school. He has got together a school numbering 67, but I regret to say that he has become afflicted with cataract in the eyes, and I have been compelled temporarily to close the school, and,