5

E.—2

Bay of Plenty and Hot Lakes. — District Superintendent, Lieutenant-Colonel Boberts, S.M Te Waotu (examined 19th June, 1893). —A pleasing change has taken place in the aspect of school affairs here. At examination time the Maoris appeared to be most anxious to secure the success of the school. Te Awahou (examined 21st June, 1893). —The intelligence of the children has been admirably called forth since the school was reopened. There is much truth in the remark of Te Matenga, an Awahou chief, "One year now seems as good as twenty formerly" [There has since been a> falling off.] Fort Galatea (examined 23rd June, 1893). —The fluctuations in the attendance during the course of the year have been troublesome. Of these, some have been caused by heavy floods in the Rangitaiki, others by the outbreak of hostilities between the Galatea people and those living at Whirinaki. Paeroa (examined 24th August, 1893). —The parents have apathetic intervals, but generally they show themselves proud of their school and their teachers. The relations between pupils and teachers are excellent. Huria (visited 26th August, 1893) —By the 14th August last the continuous rain, the measles epidemic, and scarcity of food had reduced the attendance to nothing, and the school was closed. It was reopened on the 23rd October on a different basis, and with promising prospects. Maungatapu (examined 23rd August, 1893). —The measles epidemic had been severe, typhoid had seemed imminent, the " king " had been at Karikari, five miles off, and there had been consequent feasting there , also, there had been a long spell of bad weather. These circumstances combined had made the Maoris somewhat apathetic, and there had been a serious falling-off in the attendance. Te Matai (examined 26th June, 1893). —The rule here is gentle and kindly, and punishments are seldom needed. The parents are again most enthusiastic about their school, just as they were when it was first opened. The examination was held just when the pupils were sickening for measles. Maketu (examined 4tb July, 1893). —-The examination took place, with the consent of the master, before the measles epidemic was quite over, most of the work shown, however, was well up to the mark. Matata (examined 27th June, 1893).: —Representative Maoris attended at the examination, and spoke of the teachers in terms of esteem and respect. This school holds its own fairly well, in spite of the powerful (but perfectly honourable) opposition it has to encounter. Te Teko (examined 29th June, 1893). —The Maoris here, as in many other places, are taking very gratifying interest in the education of their children. To many of the people, examination-day evidently appears to be one of the most important in the year Otamauru (inspected 30th June, 1893). —A good start has been made at this new school, which had been opened, a little more than two months when the Inspector's visit took place. Poroporo (examined Ist July, 1893). —The attendance at this school is now large and regular, and excellent all-round work is being done in it by the teachers. Wai-o-weka (examined 13th May, 1893). —A chronic complaint of serious nature led to the resignation of Mr F H. Brittain, the master of the school, who had been many years in the service, and had done much good work. Omarumutu (examined 12th May, 1893). —The attendance, ordinarily large and regular, has been greatly interfered with by the measles epidemic. The Omarumutu Committee show decided interest in the school, and have done much to make it successful. Torere (examined 15th May, 1893). —Parents and children all do their best for the school, but a great change has taken place here. Eight years ago the school had a large " head " of big boys and girls , now it has a large " tail " of little ones. Omaio (examined 16th May, 1893). —The present teachers succeeded a very capable staff, but the change seems to have produced no weakness. It maybe worth while to note here an interesting and useful lesson given before the Inspector it was on some of the illustrated papers supplied by the Department. From the interest shown by the pupils, and the frequency with which they asked for information, it was plain that such a lesson must powerfully stimulate and develop the children's powers of observation. Te Kaha (examined 17th May, 1893). —The pupils here are clean and well dressed, and they work with honesty, enthusiasm, and success. The respect and affection of the parents and the children for their teachers continue undiminished. Baukokore (examined 19th May, 1893). —The attendance has now sunk to its normal condition, the big boys and girls that joined the school in its earliest years have left and gone to work. All the children attend except the little ones, and the Maoris speak highly of the efforts of the teacher. East Goast. — District Superintendent, Mr. J. Booth, S.M., Gisborne. Wharekahika (examined 22nd May, 1893). —Three teachers had had charge since the previous examination took place. The appearance made by the school in spite of these changes was very creditable. Te Araroa (examined 23rd May, 1893). —At the meeting held after the examination of this excellent school the Maoris showed themselves anxious that arrangements should be made for carrying the education of their children somewhat beyond the limits laid down in the Native-school standards. Bangitukia (examined 25th May, 1893). —This school has gradually approached the position it ought to hold as the largest and one of the very best of the Native schools. This position cannot now be secured very readily the distance from the rear rank to the front is much greater than it used to be.