E.—2

4

clear conception of an end to be reached. The work shown by the preparatory class was not very good, but on the whole the examination gave satisfactory results. The trouble of the previous year had subsided. Hokianga. — Local Visitor, Mr. T. L. Millar, Postmaster, Rawene. Puketi, Whangape (examined 25th March, 1896). —The average attendance for the previous six weeks had been very low. On several occasions when the teachers, after much toil, had reached this half-time school they found no attendance. The examination gave scarcely any results. Makora, Whangape (examined 25th March, 1896). —Here, also, the results were mainly of a negative character. This was largely owing to bad attendance and the want of promising scholars. Makora and its companion half-time school at Puketi were threatened by the Department with extinction. The Natives promised to do much better, and the schools were spared, for one year only : during this time they were to improve greatly. Matihetihe (examined 26th March, 1896). —Work is done here only three days a week. The school still presents its attractive appearance, but the attainments of the children were not up to the usual mark. There were no strong passes. The very bad weather, too, had caused the attendance to be most irregular. Waitapu (examined 27th July, 1896). —This school would not be worth maintaining if it were not for its connection with Matihetihe. The attendance is irregular and unpunctual. These faults depend to some extent on local physical difficulties, but the lax interest of the parents is an obstacle of at least equal importance. The results of the examination were fairly good, the material available being considered. Wliakarapa (examined 29th July, 1896). —There is good reason to believe that this school has before it a long career of quiet usefulness. The attitude of the people towards it is pleasing, and in the school itself hard and good work is being done. The children work honestly and behave well. Waimamaku (examined 25th July, 1896). — During the early part of the year a serious domestic disturbance among the Maoris agitated the settlement, and caused a temporary collapse of the school. (On the nature of this disturbance it is unnecessary to dilate.) It seems that the worst is over now, and that better days are in store for Waimamaku. The results of the examination were on the whole good, in spite of considerable weakness in the geography and arithmetic of the upper part of the school. Whirinaki (examined 30th July, 1896). —The Whirinaki Natives continue to show a striking amount of interest in their school, and the Committee constantly does excellent work in maintaining a regular attendance. The building here is of the old order, and not quite suitable for school purposes, and this fact interferes to some extent with the discipline. The results in the upper classes showed general weakness. In the lower classes the work was, on the whole, quite satisfactory. Through causes that it is unnecessary to specify here the school had to be broken up and closed for a considerable time, before the end of the year. Omanaia (examined 31st July, 1896). —The school-room is kept very clean. The garden is neat and attractive. The children in attendance work heartily and well. The "spiritist craze," referred to in last year's report, had caused great trouble and a falling-off in the attendance. Nevertheless, the examination work was decidedly good. Motukaraka (examined Ist August, 1896). —The master deserves great credit for his work in getting the garden into good order. The examination results were decidedly unsatisfactory, and this weakness was general. There had been great irregularity in the attendance. Rangiahua (examined 4th August, 1896). —The prospects of this school are at present rather unfavourable ; the Natives appear to be removing from the district. Five families had left the settlement shortly before the examination. The results were, on the whole, satisfactory, but some of the passes were weak. It would be advisable to close the school-were it not that the return of the Natives in considerable numbers is not unlikely to occur. Mangamuka (examined 3rd August, 1896). —The school had been reopened hardly ten months before the examination took place, and there was every reason to be satisfied with the work that had been done. The results were good. Weakness was found in no subject but English : even in that it was not pronounced. Waima (examined 6th August, 1896). —The school has become very small, mainly through the "spiritist craze" referred to above. Moreover, the controlling and civilising influence formerly exercised by Hone Mohi Tawhai is greatly missed, and tangis, brass bands, dances, and their antecedents and consequents injuriously affect the school. The new master teaches conscientiously, and with pretty satisfactory results. Otaua (examined 7th August, 1896). —Very irregular attendance had troubled the teacher. This irregularity had been largely due to want of food, resulting from the profuse hospitality of the Maoris. In spite of drawbacks, much good work had been done, but no strong passes were secured. Bay of Islands. Kaikohe (examined Bth August, 1896). —The school tone is very good. There is some irregularity in attendance, but for this the parents are to blame. Many of the pupils come from long distances witVi the utmost good-will. The school presents a very creditable appearance inside and outside, and is doing capital work. Sixty-two children were present at examination. Mangakahia (examined 9th March, 1896). —There is little interest taken in the school by the Maoris generally, and this, of course, leads to rather defective tone among the scholars. It appears that the time for removing the school to Parahaki has not yet come; the people there are