11

E.—2,

enough to go to school. Formerly before European settlers had come to the south of New Zealand, and when the Maoris were in an uncivilized state, the Island of Euapuke, situated in Foveaux Strait, between two large islands, was an important place, and therefore well populated. But that is changed since European settlements have been established in the South, and Maoris have been civilised. Now the energetic and advancing families have left the island and are mostly settled at Stewart Island hence so few children for our Native school at Euapuke now There are no Europeans on- this island, Euapuke, besides myself and my wife." Oolac. — Forty-one children were present at inspection. The inspection was extremely satisfactory no Native-school stands this test better The examination results were not quite so good but, on the whole, fair progress had been made during the year. The juniors were, relatively, not nearly so good as the seniors. Bather serious disagreements between the teacher and the Natives have rendered it desirable that the teacher should go to another school. The new teacher-is from Waikawa he has there done good work for several years, and is much respected by Natives and Europeans. His opportunities will be much greater at his new school, which is an important one, and likely to become still more so. The Neck, Stewart Island. —l have again to speak most favourably of this school and all belonging to it. If the attendance were somewhat larger there would not be a more useful school in the colony Twenty-five children were present at inspection. A high percentage was obtained, and the passes were numerous. The foregoing remarks show that the South Island schools are nearly all very efficient. It has been mentioned in former reports that the Native schools of the South Island have a great advantage over those of the North, in that the southern children are so much more in the way of hearing English spoken. This advantage is being diminished year by year , but, as may be seen from the following figures, the South Island is still distinctly ahead of the North: — Children examined. Passed. Percentage. North Island .. .. 1,060 410 ~ 38-6 South Island ... 282 .. 130 46-0 If only the number of children that passed the two higher standards, those that involve a really serviceable knowledge of English, be taken into account, the superiority of the South over the North becomes still more apparent while only 21 1 per cent, of the children examined belong to the South Island, 44-2 per cent, of those that passed in Standards 111. and IV are southern children. The somewhat larger proportion of white children in the southern schools makes a little difference, but not very much. Boarding Schools. St. Mary's, Auckland. —There are now only,two Native scholars at St. Mary's, Ponsonby. The number is too small to make it worth the teachers' while to give the children special instruction in the standard work they take their chance with the other children attending the school. St. Stephen's Parnell. —Thirty-nine boys were present at inspection. The attendance is considerably smaller than it was last year A very high percentage, 89-58, and twenty-two good passes, were obtained from twenty-five boys qualified for examination by attendance. The senior boys know a great deal more than enough to satisfy the standard requirements, and are very strong indeed in arithmetic, composition, and geography. The circumstances of the school being considered, the organization is satisfactory The very different stages of progress of the boys, and the fact that one master has to do all the work, render it necessary that the written work should bear a larger ratio to the oral than is, on general grounds, desirable. The order, which is very good, is secured by means of regularity and system, there is no corporal punishment, and the relations existing between master and pupils are very satisfactory I have to suggest two things, that -would be great improvements to this school. It would be well if some provision were made for teaching the boys gymnastics , they are exceedingly well drilled, but they require something more. In one or two of the other schools Maoris with rather weak chests have been greatly benefited by a course of gymnastics, and, as hardly any of the Natives are.particularly sound in- the lungs, there can be no doubt that the kind of training referred to would suit them particularly* well. The department gets suitable apparatus made for about £11, £20 would certainly purchase everything that would be required for this school. The other suggestion is that better lavatory accommodation should be provided. At present the boys have to cross the yard in order to wash or to bathe this must often bo inconvenient, and would sometimes lead to neglect of cleanliness. It would be easy to erect a lavatory, with suitable basins and one or two baths, between the principal divisions of the dormitory St. Joseph s Providence, Napier. —There were only nine pupils for examination this year The cause of the falling-off is that the Department now refuses to receive as Native pupils children that are virtually Europeans. It seems likely, however, that, many of the vacancies will be filled again shortly, Maori children of the right sort arc now being admitted pretty freely This is a capital school, there is an abundance of teaching power, and this makes organization a very .simple matter. The school tone is very good, and so is the teaching. The sewing and the singing are remarkably good here. St. Mary's, Meanee. —Here there were only five scholars present at inspection. From this school also the too numerous quarter-castes have been eliminated. Vacancies are gradually being properly filled. I think St. Mary's is going to revive. Several hopeful signs were noticeable at my last visit. Hukarrere. —Forty-seven girls were present at inspection, but only twenty of these are Government scholars. This is a very interesting and useful school. There can be no doubt that it is doing good service to the cause of Native education. It is found to be the case in many districts that the mothers of children are the real obstacle in the way of their boy's' going to school, the fathers