E.—2

4

Whaharapa (examined 26th April, 1893). —The pupils seem to like the school, and their attendance is fairly good. The master, who had been less than a year at work, had had many serious difficulties to overcome, but had, apparently established himself firmly Waimamaku (examined 27th April, 1893). —The Committee are enthusiastic about their school, and very energetic. The school-room presents a very pleasing appearance, which is largely due to the apparatus made by the teacher, or belonging to him. Whirinaki (examined 6th September, 1893). —It was very interesting, if rather inconvenient,, to have a large number of Maoris, male and female, watching intently from 9 a.m. till 5.30 p.m. every turn of the examination, which gave pleasing results. Omanaia (examined 7th September, 1893) .< —It is difficult to doubt that the various physical exercises gone through by the pupils have tended to make them more robust than they were formerly At any rate, there is a very striking difference between the Omanaia young people of 1893 and those seen there in 1881. Motukaraka (examined 2nd September, 1893). —Frequent and continued illness of pupils, and their absence on the gumfields, which was enforced by scarcity of food, caused the results of the year's work to fall far below the usual standard. Rangialiua (examined 18th April, 1893). —There had been a change of teachers, with the usual result —a certain amount of shortcoming. There is reason to expect that there will be a well-pre-pared set of children for the next examination. Waima (examined Bth September, 1893). —After the examination, which gave pleasing results, a meeting was held , the speakers made it plain that they prize very highly the work done at their school. Otaua (examined 9th September, 1893). —The general appearance of the school, and also its prospects, were much more cheering than they had been at the previous inspection. A fall in the price of gum had probably been an important cause of the improvement that had taken place in the attendance. Kaikohe (examined 15th April, 1893). —After twelve years' faithful and effective service the teachers have, at their own request, been removed to another district. Their places are to be taken by Mr and Mrs. A. G Hamilton, formerly of Onuku and Akuaku Native schools, and late of Tonga. Mangakahia (examined 13th April, 1893). —The examination was held during the absence of the master Mr. W H. Quinlan, who had gone to Auckland to be treated for a dangerous illness, which, unfortunately, speedily proved fatal. The work done at examination afforded ground for believing that when Mr Quinlan was cut off so unexpectedly he was about to achieve as much success as is possible in this remote district. Ohaeawai (examined 31st August, 1893). —The weak point here was the absence of passes in the higher standards. As soon as children are able to work they go to the gumfields, or, in the case of boys, become bullock-drivers. This state of matters means " hard lines " for the teacher. Te Ahuahu (examined Ist September, 1893). —The condition of this school is improving as time goes on, the Maoris, having got rid of former rather extravagant expectations, take an intelligent interest in the school and its work, and put themselves to trouble to secure its success. Taumarere (examined 29th August, 1893). —The attendance here is very small—perhaps too small. Nothing but the maintenance of a high standard of work could justify the school's continuance. Kareiu (examined 30th August, 1893). —The valley of the Karetu, with its securely-fenced and well-grassed pastures, its tidy and fruitful gardens, and its ever-busy inhabitants, is as good a lesson on Maori capabilities as could be wished for. The school is worthy of the settlement. Whangaruru (examined 10th April, 1893). —This district, being far out of the way of all ordinary traffic, is of considerable importance from the Native school point of view The Whangaruru Maoris appear to take a satisfactory amount of interest and pleasure in the little school that has recently been established here. Poroti (examined 12th April, 1893). —The interest taken in school matters and the maintenance of a fair attendance by the people clearly show that the teacher has great tact, and that he is highly esteemed in this district, formerly the most "difficult" in the colony Tangiteroria (examined 17th March, 1893). —Work has been stopped here because the Maori attendance, and the results disclosed at the examination, were insufficient. Matakohe (examined 15th March, 1893). —The school had become " very white," and the time for offering it to the Board had evidently arrived, Native-school operations were, therefore, put an end to. Otamatea (examined 14th March, 1893). —The parents evidently desired to have a school, but go often failed to keep up a satisfactory attendance that it became necessary to close. Pouto (examined 13th March, 1893). —There was a considerable want of form here, although some good work had been done. Experience shows that want of system in a school is an almost certain precursor of decay. Pouto is getting a further trial under a new teacher Thames and Waikato. — District Superintendent, Mr G T. Wilkinson, Otorohanga. Kirikiri (examined 16th September, 1893). —This school has now been handed over to the Board. The results at the last inspection and examination were very good indeed, and the tone of the school was excellent. Great credit is due to Mr. H. E. Kirkman and Mrs. Kirkman for being successful in spite of great difficulties. Otorohanga (examined 17th June, 1893). —The Department has not yet succeeded in getting the Maoris of this district to take an interest in the education of their children. The land question seems to be of so much importance here that it overrides all others. Tapapa (examined 20th June, 1893). —At present this school is unsatisfactory The attendance ought to be, at least, moderately large, it is too often miserably small.