E.—2

5

Mangamuha. —This school, although it is now smaller than it ought to be, impresses a visitor very favourably. Upper Waihou was closed towards the end of last year because the attendance had fallen to zero through the rise and progress of a new Hauhau sect. The Natives now ask that the school be reopened under a new master. Waimamaku. —There has been some little friction owing to misunderstanding as to the limits of the Committee's duties; but such difficulties generally occur at the outset of Native-school work. Time always sets things right when the teacher's work is really good, as it is in this case. Pahia. —ln spite of lack of form in some important respects, much honest and useful work is done here. Whirinaki. —The Committee make laudable efforts to keep the attendance regular, and not altogether without success ; but local differences and jealousies tend to make their task difficult. The school did as well as could be expected in view of its past history. Better results maybe looked for during the current year. Omanaia. —ln spite of some defects in method, the zeal and conscientiousness of the teachers produce substantial results. Wainia. —This is one of the schools in which good, solid work may always be expected. Besides this, the whole establishment may be fairly considered a pattern of neatness and order. Otaua. —Very muddy roads and the election, held the previous day, of a Maori M.11.E. had made the school premises have an untidy appearance ; but the school did really well at examination, arithmetic being a specially strong point. Bay of Islands. — District Superintendent, Mr. J. H. Greemvay. Mangaltahia. —Several large meetings, with the attendant consumption of food, have left the Natives nearly destitute. This is much to be regretted, seeing that at the examination the school made a creditable appearance, and there seemed to be great reason to hope for success that would be very gratifying when obtained in this remote district. Kaikohe,- —This school is in very good form, and is working steadily ; the impression that it makes on a visitor's mind is that the work is solid and its civilising effect very decided. At the time of the examination, however, the school had not yet quite recovered from the effects of a severe and long-continued fever epidemic. Ohaeawai. —The Maoris of this district have naver taken very great interest in their school, which, however, is pretty fairly successful. Paihia.— This small subsidised school is useful. Under new arrangements the attendance has improved considerably. Te Ahuahii. —At the examination indications were not wanting that much higher results would probably be obtained at the next examinations. The teachers had evidently worked hard and well. Waikare.-— -The renewed zeal of the Committee has led to a large increase in the attendance. Kare.tu. —A good beginning was made at Karetu, and, so far, the success of the school has been without a break. Taumarere. —The increased attendance has made this a village school. Very good work is being done. Whangarei and Kaipara. — District Superintendent, Mr. James Clendon, B.M. Ngunguru. —Such success as has rewarded the teacher's efforts has been achieved in spite of much apathy and some disaffection on the part of the Natives. This has ( nevcr been a satisfactory school. Poroti. —The Natives are doing their best to keep up a satisfactory attendance. There are, however, some causes (hard to comprehend) of disagreement between them and the teachers. They are possibly real misunderstandings, which may disappear as time goes on. Tangiteroria. —A good start had been made when the examination took place. Taita. —Here, too, a good beginning has been made, and there should be numerous strong passes at the next examination. Matakohe. —The results obtained at the examination were, in spite of irregular attendance, so good that it seemed advisable to remove the teacher to a school affording greater scope for his industry and skill. Pouto Point. —'Notwithstanding the existence of many discouragements the teacher's work is full of life and vigour, and the results obtained by him are very good. He deserves a better school. Otainatea. —The results obtained were poor. The plan of working this school in connection with that at Oruawharo has evidently not answered. Oruaivliaro. —The work here was much more fruitful than that done at Otamatea. The attendance at Oruawharo, however, became too small to warrant the continuance of the school, and it was therefore closed. Thames and Waikato. — District Superintendent, Mr. G. T. Wilkinson. Kirikiri. —lrregularity of attendance is the great drawback here ; the European children that attend the school are the worst offenders in this respect. The children did not lose ground appreciably through the change of teachers which had taken place. Waitetuna. —This is very unsatisfactory. On a great many occasions the school has been closed owing to non-attendance of the children. It is unnecessary to say that such a state of matters ought not to be allowed to continue. Kopua. —The scholars are mostly half- or quarter-castes. Probably as time goes on the pure Maoris will abandon their present attitude of passive hostility, and will send their children to school. The teachers appear to have completely gained the confidence of the Natives.