E.—l

24

ten and fifteen, and 115 above the age of fifteen. The average attendance for the last quarter, compared with the roll number at the end of the year, shoAvs that the daily attendance is at the rate of 787 per cent, (the corresponding rate for the public schools being 78-l per cent.). The largest average attendance at any school for the fourth quarter of the year was 64; at four other schools it was above 40 each, and at 15 others it exceeded 25. The number of teachers at the end of the year (exclusive of 39 sewing-mistresses) was 60, of whom 9 Avere assistant mistresses, 3 pupil-teachers, and 48 teachers in full charge. In addition to the 1,623 pupils in village schools, there Avere maintained at the cost of the Government, in institutions where board and residence are provided, about 200 scholars, the numbers at the end of the year being 100 boys and 97 girls, or one boy and one girl less than the average number for the year. By arrangements of which notice was given before the end of the year, the number for this year will be less by about 50; and the term for which a child is admitted will be ordinarily limited to two years. The older boarders are being gradually removed, and their places supplied by boys and girls from the village schools who have passed the Eourth Standard of the Native Schools Code with credit. This amounts to the establishment of a simple scheme of scholarships, which there is reason to believe will work satisfactorily. It is intended to admit also a few children from districts that are without schools. The expenditure on Native schools for the year has been as follows :— £ s. cl. Village school salaries (1,240 in average attendance) ... 7,932 7 11 Boarding schools (199 children) ... ... ... ... 3,728 6 10 School requisities and contingencies ... ... ... 1,224 6 3 Buildings and furniture ... ... ... ... 1,908 19 9 Inspection (including travelling) ... ... ... ... 877 7 0 Office salaries and clerical assistance ... ... ... 156 7 4 Apprenticeship and maintenance of sons of chiefs ... ... 1,070 12 3 £16,898 7 4 The department is greatly indebted to some of the Government officers in Native districts, and particularly to Mr. 11. W. Brabant, Mr. R. S. Bush, Mr. J. S. Clendon, Mr. J. H. Greenway, Mr. G. Kelly, Major Mair, Capt. Porter, Capt. Preece, Mr. A. P. Ratcliffe, Mr. S. C. E. Vickers, and Mr. S. Yon Stunner, whose local influence and knowledge of Native affairs have enabled them to render very valuable services as District Superintendents or in other capacities. Deae-and-Dumb Institution. The Deaf-and-Dumb Institution was opened at Sumner on the Ist of March, ISBO, by Mr. and Mrs. Van Ascli, whose labours have been attended with marked success. The system of instruction is that which is known as " the articulation system," by which deaf-mutes are trained to the use of the organs of speech, and learn both to speak —in the ordinary sense of the word —and to understand (from the motion of the lips) the speech of others. The use of finger-signs or other conventions employed as substitutes for speech is strictly excluded. The course of instruction includes reading and writing in the first instance, followed by English composition, arithmetic, geography, history, drawing, &c. Eor a time the two buildings which had been rented for the purposes of the institution proved sufficient; but towards the close of the past year the number of pupils in attendance and in prospect rendered it advisable to provide increased accommodation, and advantage was taken of a very opportune offer of the lease, on reasonable terms, of premises at Sumner, which had been occupied as a boarding-school. The house is a commodious one, with a large dining-room, a detached schoolhouse (comprising two pleasant and well-ventilated classrooms), a good garden, a large play-ground, and other useful adjuncts. The three detached residences now occupied are in many respects well adapted to the purposes of such an institution. They afford better facilities for satisfactory separation, according