8.—2

6

Te Teko (examined 3rd June, 1895). —The first thing that strikes a visitor to Te Teko School is the creditable condition of the premises. The examination results were pleasing, but there is room for improvement in the English work (and especially in the pronunciation and understanding of colloquial English). If a considerable advance in this direction could be assured the school would hold a very good position indeed. Some of the work shown was excellent. Poroporo (examined 4th June, 1895). —Extra subjects, including sewing, are here taken outof school hours. This plan is unobjectionable when the children are healthy and the teacher sees his way to adopt it. The children want more of the kind of training that will help them to understand English readily and speak it with clearness and facility. In all other respects the work is decidedly strong and satisfactory. Improvement is plainly taking place in the manners and habits of the children —that is, from the European point of view. Wai-o-weka (examined 14th March, 1895). —The results were small. The master's health had completely broken down, and shortly after the inspection he had to give up school work entirely. Mr. Johnson has done excellent work, first at Waikawa and then at Tuparoa. His retirement is a real loss to the Department. Omarumutu (examined 15th March, 1895). —In spite of drawbacks, depending mainly on a severe influenza epidemic and its consequences, the school made a pretty good show. There was, however, still room for improvement in the quality of the passes. It was satisfactory to note that considerable attention had been paid to the juniors; but it is necessary to remark that the practice of allowing an inexperienced teacher to hear the younger classes read is always unsatisfactory. The results are, invariably, " sing-song " and mispronunciation. Torere (examined 16th March, 1895). —The external appearance of Torere School and its general form are very satisfactory. The tone is excellent indeed ; both parents and children take gratifying interest in the work, and respect their teacher greatly. The manners of the children are particularly good. The attendance is very regular. Omaio (examined 18th March, 1895). —Here the pupils work with much heartiness and good will. The preparatory classes are taught with great care. The standard work is good throughout. Both inspection and examination may be considered highly satisfactory. Tc Kaha (examined 19th March, 1895). —Nothing could be better than the general outward form of this institution. The building, the garden, the grounds, and the school-room are all in perfect order. The school work was unequal; the " preparatories " and the other juniors did very well. The two upper standards were not so satisfactory—much loose, feeble answering was mixed with good work. The Maoris here are very anxious to have their children taught trades ; some of them would like their boys to learn farming on the European principle. Baukokore (examined 20th March, 1895). —This school gives promise of being at an early date well up to the mark reached by other eastern Bay of Plenty schools —one of the most thoroughly satisfactory groups in the colony. The results shown at the teacher's first examination were decidedly pleasing. East Coast Schools. Wharekahika (examined 22nd March, 1895). —When visited, this school was showing signs of shrinkage, not in the work by any means, but in the attendance. The master had fairly earned promotion to a less isolated district, and on his removal it was thought desirable to close the school and await developments. The Maoris soon gave satisfactory assurance of an increase in the attendance, and the school was reopened at the beginning of the new school year. Te Araroa (examined 23rd March, 1895). —This school had suffered from a,n influenza epidemic of great severity; from the presence of a Land Court, during the session of which the children's education was entirely neglected by the parents; and from the operations of a tohunga who could cure all diseases except pakeha ones. It is needless to say that the diseases were invariably classified after the event, and that the cases that terminated unfavourably were pakeha cases. Seeing that the district had been so much troubled, it is not to be wondered at that considerable weakness appeared here and there in the examination work. The work on the whole, however, was good enough to give the school a respectable place on the list. BangiUikia (examined 25th March, 1895). —Eighty-four children were present at the examination of this important school. In view of the number of children attending, it goes without saying that the parents take great interest in their children's education. The Eangitukia children work vigorously, and with evident liking for their work; also, their manners and general behaviour are excellent. Some weakness was shown in reading and spelling, except at the very top of the school; but many capital passes were secured. Tikitiki (examined 26th March, 1895). —This is another large and good school. Sixty-three were present at examination. Parents and children all work admirably in the interests of the school. The lower standards now leave nothing to be desired. The upper standards are far less satisfactory, mainly because the elder pupils were not thoroughly grounded while they were in the lower standards. On the whole the work was very pleasing, all circumstances being considered. Wai-o-matatini (examined 27th March, 1895). —The results, although smaller than those obtained at some of the other schools in the neighbourhood, were much better than might have been expected in the face of frequent changes and other untoward circumstances. The interest of the parents in their school had revived to a ver}' considerable extent. Tuparoa (examined 28th March, 1895). —Inspection was very satisfactory ; but the examination showed that the school was weak in arithmetic and English, especially the former. The master had been greatly overweighted during the year through illness and other causes. The music and the drawing were particularly good. Aku Aku (examined 29th March, 1895). —Very great improvement was visible all along the line, and the results were very good indeed. The school has now been removed inland to Hiruharama.