E.—2

6

Tikitiki (examined 29th May, 1893).—The death of Mrs. Hyde took place immediately before the Inspector's visit. Under the circumstances no inspection was held, only the examination of the pupils. Mr. Hyde's loss has caused him to leave the service and take up work of a different kind. Wai-o-matatini (examined 30th May, 1893). —The weather affects the attendance here to an unusual extent. On the examination-day very wet weather kept all the children away although they knew that the examination was to take place. The teacher had been in charge for only four months. His relations with his pupils were pleasing. Tuparoa (examined 31st May 1893). —The continued prevalence of fever during the previous teacher's time had somewhat disorganized this school, but its value as a civilising agency is still very high. Ahuahu (examined Ist June, 1893). —The work of the children is honest, and it is done with earnestness. The buildings are in a very bad condition, but it is hoped that before long the removal to a better site will take place. It would be unfair to the pupils, the teachers, and the Department if the present deplorable state of affairs were allowed to continue. Tohomaru (examined 2nd June, 1893). —This is a very satisfactory and successful school, it has been found necessary to increase the accommodation by building a new school-room and turning the present one into a class-room. Wairarapa and South Island. Papawai (examined 16th December, 1893). —It is to be regretted that the Wairarapa Maoris do not make full use of their opportunities. The Papawai School would do them much good if they would only let it. Waikawa (examined 19th December 1893). —A considerable amount of apathy is shown at times by parents, irregular attendance is the outcome of such apathy Decidedly useful work, however, is being done, and improvement is taking place in spite of drawbacks. Wairau (examined 21st December, 1893). —There appears to have been good reason for reopening this school, which was closed for a time in 1892. The attendance is now fair, but there is still room for improvement. Kaiapoi (examined 26th October 1893) Kaiapoi is no longer quite up to its old standard, but it is doing good work. The garden is remarkably well kept, and the surroundings are pleasing. Little River (Wairewa) (examined 25th October, 1893). —The attendance is still large and regular, and the Maoris are doing their best to keep it so. On the whole, the state of affairs here is pleasing. Hapaki (examined 24th October, 1893). —This school is small, but useful and satisfactory. Its civilising influence can be distinctly traced in the improved and improving appearance of the village. Waikouaiti (examined 11th November, 1893). —The attendance is now very small. It would be a matter for much regret if a school so well conducted as this should fall through on account of insufficient attendance. Colac Bay (examined 31st October, 1893). —The advance made during the year is quite remarkable. The surroundings of the school are becoming very satisfactory The Neck, Steioart Island (examined 2nd November 1893). —The Eev C. Connor, for many years master at The Neck, has just retired from the service on account of increasing age. It is proper that reference should here be made to the good that he has done to the Maoris of the island, to the esteem in which he is held by the people generally, and to their sorrow at losing him. Mr Connor has striven honestly and well to make the school successful in the highest sense. The following schools have this year obtained a gross percentage of over 80 Eangitukia School, under Mr. H. A. Hamilton, made 95 per cent. , Te Araroa, under Mr T Beattie, 92-7 , Omaio, Bay of Plenty, 89-3, Colac, near Eiverton, 89' Karetu, Bay of Islands, 862 Kaikohe, Bay of Islands, 85; 1, Te Kahu, Bay of Plenty 84-7, Tokomaru, East Coast, 83-3, Paeroa, Tauranga, 81. The following schools also made 70 per cent, or over Poroporo, Eapaki, Eaukokore, Waikouaiti, Waitapu, Tuparoa, Waima, Waimamaku, Matihetihe, Omarumutu, Tikitiki, The Neck, Kaiapoi, Little Eiver, Pamapuria, Papawai, Te Matai, and Poroti. Only six of the schools actually examined made less than 50 per cent. BOAEDING-SCHOOLS, ETC. Under this head brief mention is made of the chief features of the work done at each of the four boarding-schools during the year 1893. This statement is less complete than it usually is, seeing that it was, through unavoidable circumstances, impossible to hold the annual examination at St. Joseph's and Hukarore, and that the Te Aute'work had to be done by means of written questions only A brief abstract of the report on the Convent Native School at Matata is given. Some particulars are added respecting the examination for the Te Makarini scholarships, which are provided for from a fund established by E. D Douglas McLean, Esq , in accordance with the views and wishes of the late Sir Donald McLean and in memory of him, and which exercise an important and highly beneficial, although for the most part indirect, influence on nearly all the Native schools of New Zealand. Native Boys' Boarding-school, St. Stephen's, Parnell, Auckland. —The inspection took place on the 20th March, 1893. Forty-seven boys were present, of these, six were Europeans. The records, which were neat, and correct up to date, showed that the average for the previous quarter had been 44-81 The buildings were in satisfactory order and the grounds were well kept, in the garden vegetables were growing in abundance. The discipline is of a pleasing character, the rule being kindly and the relations between teachers and scholars good. The junior classes were showing:increased