E.—2

4

building, however, is worn out and not worth putting into a state of repair. Whareponga is a much more suitable place for a school than Akuaku is. If, therefore, the coast people do not go inland, "Whareponga should be chosen as the permanent site for the coast school; perhaps a very inexpensive one would suffice. On the other hand, there seems to be no reason for delay in establishing a school at Waipiro, which is about three miles from Akuaku, communication between the two places being difficult in the winter time, unless when the tide is favourable. The Waipiro people have for some years, under very great discouragement, shown much earnestness about getting their children educated. The population is large, and it is rapidly increasing, many Europeans having settled in the neighbourhood. There is a considerable settlement at Waikawa (which lies to the south of Waipiro) that could send a pretty large contingent to Waipiro, but hardly to Akuaku. All these circumstances being taken into consideration, it would seem that want of funds is the only reason that could justify delay in establishing a school at Waipiro. This and the Akuaku school might well be worked by the same teachers. The proposal to hand over the Whakatane school to the Auckland Board involves almost necessarily the establishment of a new school at Poroporo, some three miles up the Whakatane Eiver. Here there is a large Native population, now very anxious to have their children educated. A dangerous river flows between Poroporo and the school. There can be no doubt that the difficulties caused by the river have done much to prevent Whakatane from being as successful as the other schools on the shores of the Bay of Plenty. The people living at Ti, near Awanui, at the south of the mouth of the Waiapu Eiver, are anxious to have a school. There are already three schools in the district within a few miles of each other, but these are separated, even in moderately rough weather, by dangerous rivers. Ti and Wi-o-matatini are not so separated. No doubt Ti could easily support a large school, and in the winter time the road between the two places is very bad ; but, on the whole, it may be said that, while there is need for a school here, it can hardly be considered urgent. The proposal to establish a school at Purunoihu, Waipa, is still a proposal; no advance has been made during the year. Nor has it yet been found possible to make the necessary final arrangements for rebuilding the school at Eoto-iti. It may be hoped, however, that this very necessary work will soon be undertaken. Proposals for the erection of schools in other places have been received, but, with one exception, that from the Natives of Moawhango, near Brehwon, Hawke's Bay, they all seem to refer to cases that are not yet urgent, and that may safely be left for consideration until a more convenient season arrives. Schools in full Wobk. The schools are dealt with in groups, geographical position being taken as the basis of classification. To avoid monotony and repetition nearly all the information with regard to the literary work and general efficiency of individual schools has been tabulated, and placed in the Appendix. Table No. 6 shows the examination results. In Table No. 7 a statement of the results of each inspection will be found. Other matters relating to individual schools are briefly referred to in the following paragraphs. The Far North.—District Superintendent, Mr. H. W. Bishop, B.M. Te Kao, Parengarenga Harbour. —The school was in excellent working order. Very good results may be expected at next year's examination. Awanui. —At inspection-time some improvement was perceptible, but it was found that a change was unavoidable. The master of Matakohe school, a very competent teacher, has been sent to Awanui. Pamapuria. —This school is, and always has been, remarkable for the excellence of its " English." The Committee deserve credit for their attention to their duties. Ahipara.— This is one of the most useful of the northern schools. It has passed through very severe trials, but its position is now well assured. Puhepoto. —The teacher's illness injuriously affected the results. Last year the Natives showed much interest in the school. The beginning made this year has been less satisfactory. Peria. —During the whole of last year the Committee worked very hard to keep up the attendance. There is reason to bo well pleased with the results of these efforts, and with the work done by the teachers. Te Moari, Kaeo. —This school has become far more European than Maori, and it has been handed over to the Auckland Board. Whangape. —The children of this settlement never hear English except in school. Backwardness in this subject involves backwardness in all subjects. It is plain, therefore, that the Whangape teacher has very uphill work, seeing that the only road to general success lies through success in teaching one subject under exceptional disadvantages. Whalcarapa. —A considerable amount of useful work has been done here by the mistress, and when all the circumstances are taken into consideration they show that she is a teacher of decided ability. Lower Waihou. —The results obtained here were almost inappreciable. Now that a road has been made between the two places there seems to be no sound reason for bearing the expense of a second school so close to that at Whakarapa, which all the Native children in the district might easily attend if their parents felt disposed to send them. Waitapu. —ln spite of great difficulties, caused by the want of children in the district, the master works on with constant determination. He should be removed to a more promising field when an opportunity occurs. Motukaraka. —The founding of a special settlement in the neighbourhood has made this, to some extent, a mixed school. Many of the children are young, but good results should be forthcoming at the next examination.