6.-1.

7

through the early spring; the more so as they have but little stock since the scabby sheer, were boiled down, scarcely any cattle, and but a few pigs. Even in the matter of fruit-trees I notice that they depend entirely upon the few old trees planted during the days of missionary influence : these are being rapidly destroyed by cattle and neglect, and no young trees are planted to replace them. These remarks made upon Ngatiporou will apply in a slightly less degree to Te Wairoa and Poverty Bay. Native Schools. The Ngatiporou Tribe appear to take greater interest in educational matters than the Poverty Bay or AVairoa tribes, but at the same time only a small percentage of the children attend the five schools in their district. Tologa Bay. —The master reports an average attendance of twenty-two children, with a fair proficiency in English and other branches. Up to within the last six months considerable jealousy existed between the hapus on either side of the river, caused by a dispute as to the site of the school, the disappointed hapu revenging themselves by refusing to send their children. This ill-feeling is now at an end, and a committee, chosen for each bank of the river, works in harmony. Tokomaru. —Mr. Warner reports that, notwithstanding the want of proper moral restraint on the children by their parents, the attendance (an average of twenty-one) is very satisfactory; their progress in the several branches of education, with the exception of arithmetic, is good; and that, although the facilities for conversation iv English are few, yet a very fair advance in this is obtaining among them. The Natives in this district look favourably on the school, and Mr. Warner is of opinion that the committee lately appointed in the Bay will be determined to encourage the acquirement of education among the children, and insist upon a more regular and punctual attendance. Akuaku. —The attendance at this school has been greatly affected by the large amount of sickness amongst the Natives ; the average amounts to about thirty-two for the year. Mr. Browne reports very favourably of the aptness of the pupils, and the progress they have made in acquiring the knowledge imparted to them. The Natives in this place have shown a very friendly spirit to himself and Mrs. Browne, and appear deeply sensible of the benefits to be derived from education. Waiomatatini. —The average attendance (thirty-eight) at this school has been greatly reduced by the flooded state of the rivers, much sickness, and numerous tangis. Mr. Green reports most favourably on his pupils, and the friendly disposition of the Natives, and especially the committee, of whom Major Ropata is the head. The master is also of opinion—and in which Ido most strongly second him, for obvious reasons —that it would be of great advantage to both the children and the masters to change their locale from time to time, a transfer of a new master introducing fresh matter into the business of the school, and the novelty (a feature dearly loved by the Maori) of a new teacher. The master, by change of scene, would have new life instilled into his system, and be renerved for the future performance of his duties. Kawakawa. —This school was without a master for about twelve months, but a gentleman has lately been appointed who is appreciated by the Maoris. This, in itself, is greatly in his favour, for the two previous masters had leftiu disgust. There are no purely Native schools in the Poverty Bay District. Those that have been opened were a failure, for the Maoris did not appreciate the advantages of education. The few Maori scholars who do attend are at European schools, and doubtless obtain a greater proficiency in a given time than would be the case in a Maori school. Wairoa. —There is one school, ill attended, and not particularly well conducted. The Maori parents take no interest whatever in the institution, aud have refused to convey a piece of ground on which a school might be built. At present the class is held in an old church, which is so leaky and out of repair that attendance during wet weather is out of the question. One man objected to send his children to school on the ground that the master was paid to teach them, and he objected to any one making money out of his children. I have, &c., The Under Secretary, Native Department, AY. S. Gudgeon, Wellington. Resident Magistrate.

No. 8. Mr. J. S. Master, Native Officer, Napier, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir,— Napier, 23rd May, 1879. I have the honor to forward the following report on this district:— Hawke's Bay. The general state of the Natives in this part of the country for the past year has been quiet. A great many of the Natives of this part of the district have sent in claims to the Native Lands Court for subdivision, surveys, and succession to deceased persons. Large quantities of grain have been grown here by the Maoris during the past year, but I am afraid that they were not so successful with their potato crop on account of the long and continuous drought during the