7

£.—2

of the Government pupils passed and six failed. Two of those who failed were new comers. There is much to admire in the methods used and in the work done here. The domestic arrangements throughout are unexceptionable. Protectant Native Girls' School, Hukarere, Napier. —Of the thirty-four present at examination twenty were Government scholars. Of the whole number, seven completed their Native-school work by passing the final examinations, and two satisfied the requirements for the first year. Of the juniors, one passed Standard IV., five passed Standard 111., five passed Standard 11., and six passed Standard I. Thus, twenty-six girls out of thirty-four succeeded in passing. Most of the failures (seven) occurred in the lower division of the senior girls, many of whom had been but a short time at this school. Great improvement in the English work, and in the knowledge of domestic economy, had taken place since the previous examination, as well as in the less essential, but still important, subjects, singing and physical exercises. Admirable needlework was shown here. Native Boys' Boarding-school, St. Stephen's, Parnell, Auckland. —At the examination held in July, 1889, two boys passed the final examination and none failed. For the first year's senior work three passed and five failed; there were five others in this class whose time for passing had not yet come. Of eleven pupils that were not exempt from examination ten passed well; three others, whose time had not yet come, also passed. On the whole, good work was shown. It is gratifying to find that the master, although he is inclined to think that he is asked to do more than ought to be expected of him, is yet doing his best to meet the views and satisfy the wishes of the department. The indications of this are to be found in the modifications of the time-table to suit the code syllabus, in the increased attention to the teaching of English, and in the attempt to widen the science work, and to deepen the boys' insight into arithmetic. A fine lavatory, and a large and convenient gymnasium and playshed, are about to be put up here; both of these will be of great use. Perhaps the Maori has more to learn from the European about personal cleanliness than about anything else; and there can be no doubt that young Maoris who are working hard with their heads should have as much gymnastic and other athletic exercise as possible. The Native College, Te Aute, Ilaivke's Bay. —Sixty-four pupils (ten Government scholars, and fifty-four others) were examined. Of these, fourteen passed the second-year examination, or higher ; fifteen passed the first-year examination. The arrangements in the lower school differ very considerably from those contemplated in the code, and it would be difficult to give a correct statement, in code terms, of the work done in the three lower classes of the school. Perhaps the average percentage of marks gained at the examination would give the best possible idea of the general character of the work done in the three lower classes. In the third class, the highest of the three, the average percentage was 51-8; in the second class, 67'6; and in the first, 53'4. With one exception, the buildings, gardens, and grounds are in admirable order, and the domestic arrangements are really first-rate. It would, of course, be a great mistake to leave nothing for the boys to do for themselves; this mistake is quite avoided, while at the same time they are made thoroughly comfortable. The kitchen is a very striking feature of the institution ; it is kept in admirable order. The living rooms and the dormitories are clean and wholesome, and generally there is an air of comfort about the place that is very satisfactory. The kitchen garden, the lawn, and the borders and flower plots all have a very pleasing appearance. The exception referred to above is connected with the location and drainage of the water-closets. Much improvement is needed, if evil consequences are to be avoided; the difficulties in the way are great, but no efforts should be spared to overcome them. The examination work was better than it had ever been before, and that is saying a great deal. It may be noticed especially that two new subjects—elementary chemistry and the government and laws of New Zealand —had been treated by the senior class with great success ; but all the work was very good, evidently the outcome of improvement all along the line. Te Makarini Scltolarships Examinations. —At least one of these examinations is held every year, and the scholarships are provided for from a fund established by R. D. Douglas McLean, Esq., in accordance with the views and wishes of the late Sir Donald McLean, and in memory of him. Seven candidates in all presented themselves, but one of these (a Te Aute candidate) was found to be disqualified. Of the six admitted, five were from Te Aute, and the sixth was from Omaio. The trustees awarded three scholarships : the senior scholarship was given to Timutimu Tawhai, of Omaio and St. Stephen's; the other two were awarded to Tutere Wirepa and Tuhi Tare Wirepa, both of whom had been trained at Te Kaha and Te Aute. Statistics. A statement of the expenditure incurred in connection with Native schools will be found in Tables Nos. I. and 11. of the Appendix. Of the total net Government expenditure on Native schools, £15,865 (shillings and pence are neglected), the sum of £13,760 was paid for salaries and allowances, inspection, general school requisites, travelling, and other ordinary charges in connection with village schools ; the remainder defrayed the cost of boarding-schools, £1,547, and of building, fencing, furniture, &c, £558. As reckoned on the basis of the average attendance for the year, 2,044'6, the cost per head of the children attending Native village schools was £6 14s. 7d. Table No. 3 gives the ages of the children whose names were on the books of the riative schools at the end of the December quarter; 93'83 per cent, of these children are between the ages of five and fifteen. This percentage shows an increase of exactly 1 per cent. Table No. 4 gives statistics of the year's attendance ; there has been a-falling off in the average for the year of 25-02. This has been caused by the closing of certain small schools, which in one way or another had become inefficient. The number of-scholars belonging to the schools at t]je end of 1889 was 2,462, as against 2,512 at the end of 1888. Table No. 5 contains information which enables us to find the ratio between Maoris