E.—2

6

in a Native school, established for the purpose of teaching the Maoris to speak English, as the part of Hamlet in the play of that name. Waiomatatini. —This, almost the oldest successful East Coast school, is still doing well. Here, however1, as at Tikitiki, there is considerable weakness in English. It is, perhaps, not sufficiently borne in mind that an English lesson is thoroughly successful only as it results in the production of correct and fluent English by the pupils. Tuparoa. —The instruction given here has produced creditable results. The English work, however, needs constant care ; if this is not bestowed, bad habits will be formed almost insensibly, and these will be difficult to eradicate. On the whole, very considerable success has been achieved. Akuaku. —Much hard and good work has been done, and the appearance at examination was very satisfactory. Pronunciation needs more attention. Tokomaru. —A few minor defects were noted in the methods, but these were made up for by very hard and conscientious work. The school has made very decided and substantial progress during the year. The relations between teacher and scholars and teacher and parents are very good. Wairarapa and South Island Schools. Te Oreore. —This school has now been closed; the attendance was insufficient to warrant its being kept open ; also, the results obtained at examination were inappreciable. Papawai. —The attendance increased so largely as to render an increase of accommodation indispensable. The examination work was very good indeed, and altogether the school is a capital one. D' Urville Island. —This little Cook Strait school is valuable, and does honest work. Waikawa. —Except on the principle that we ought to let well alone, there is little reason for continuing to maintain a Native school here. Good work, however, is undoubtedly being done, and for that reason outside pressure ought perhaps to be waited for before steps are taken to transfer the school to the Board. The present master shows much aptitude for Native-school work, and laudable enthusiasm in the discharge of his duty. Wairau. —At the examination the work in arithmetic was poor; but in other respects the school did well. This small school is partly supported by a contribution from a Native reserve fund. Mangamaumt. —The smallness and irregularity of the attendance, along with the poorness of the results obtained, compelled the Government to close this school, which there was, on other grounds, good reason for keeping open as long as possible. Bapa.i. —All things considered, the examination was decidedly satisfactory, and the new master gives promise of becoming a successful Native-school teacher. All the difficulties which a short time ago seemed to beset the school have now disappeared. Wairewa. —This school was taught for many years by Captain Curling with much vigour and effectiveness. While good work was being done by an old public servant, it seemed advisable to keep the school going; but the decease of Captain Curling at once raised the question of the desirability of maintaining a Native school in a place where most of the Maoris can speak English, and where there is a public school close at hand. The question has been answered in the negative, and the school has been closed. Kaiapoi. —This has now become a little children's school, and so presents a great contrast to the Kaiapoi of the past. The master has worked hard and conscientiously, but somehow he is entirely out of touch with the Natives. His removal to another school seems to be unavoidable. Onuku. —The examination was on the whole fairly satisfactory, but there was a deplorable absence of strong passes : children very good in most of the subjects showed surprising weakness in the others. There is reason to believe that the school is now working smoothly, and that the relations between teacher and parents have improved. Waikouaiti. —The examination was a satisfactory one, and clearly proved that the good appearance of the school at inspection was the result of solid work. Waikouaiti heads the list of Native schools this year. Port Molyneux. —This school, having become decidedly European in character, might, without disadvantage, be handed over to the Otago Board; the mistress deserves appointment to some other Native school. Colac. —The work in this school is, as usual, good, but there is room for improvement in writing and spelling. It is desirable also that very close attention should be paid to the use of the letter " h," seeing that habitual disregard of it by pupils is sure to reflect discredit on their teachers. The Neck. —The children here understand English so well that they could work in accordance with the standards for Europeans. It seems likely, however, that the form of government that would be brought to bear on the school by placing it under a Board would not be so suitable as the present one to the character of the community. The examination results were quite satisfactory. This portion of the report may fitly conclude with the statement that five schools have succeeded this year in making a gross percentage of over 80. These are—l, Waikouaiti, 86-5 ; 2, Omaio, 85-8 ; 3, Te Kahu, 85-4 ; 4, Raukokore, 82-0; 5, The Neck, 81-4. Boaeding-schools. Under this heading nothing more is needed than a brief mention of the principal features of the work done at each of the schools during the year 1889. St. Joseph's Providence, Napier (Boman Catholic Girls' School). —The examination of this school took place in December. Twenty-one pupils were present, but only fifteen were Government scholars. Of these, two passed Standard 11. and three passed Standard I.; two of the senior pupils passed the first-year examination and two completed their Native-school work. In all, nine