E.—2

8

Golac (examined 12th October, 1896). —This school is very much overcrowded; seventy-seven children were present at inspection. The substantial examination results were secured in spite} the considerable difficulties that had been encountered in the course of the year ; ill-health of the teachers was not the least of these difficulties. The Neck, Stewart Island (examined 15th October, 1896). —This useful school continues to do its civilising work exceedingly well, while the school work, strictly so called, has advanced considerably beyond any previous " high-water mark." Of course, the whole of the credit for this is not due to the present master; but much of it is. The following schools have this year obtained a " gross percentage " of 80 or over 80 : Tikitiki, East Coast, under Captain Mitchell, made 914 per cent.; Omanaia, Hokianga, 87"4 ; Tokomaru, East Coast, 81-4 ; Pukepoto, Mangonui, 80-5 ; Waimamaku, Hokianga, 800. The schools at the following places also gained 70 per cent, or more : Poroporo, Tuparoa, Arowhenua, Kaikohe, Raukokore, Mangainaunu, Rangitukia, Te Kaha, The Neck, Omaio, Colac, Te Matai, Te Araroa, Waiomatatini, Karetu, Torere, Rapaki, Kaiapoi, Poroti, Mawhitiwhiti, and Kawhia. Thus twentysix schools made more than 70 per cent., as against twenty-nine schools for 1895. Of the schools actually examined, seven made less than 50per cent., as against six schools for 1895. Boarding-schools, etc. Under this heading a brief account is given of the work done at each of the four Native boarding-schools during the year 1896, and also an abstract of the reports on the Convent Native School at Matata, and the Church of England Mission Schools at Waerenga-a-hika and Otaki. Information is also given with regard to the annual examination for the Te Makarini Scholarships, which are provided for from a fund established by Mr. R. D. Douglas McLean, M.H.R., in accordance with the views and wishes of the late Sir Donald McLean, and in remembrance of him. These scholarships, it may be added, have exercised an important and highly beneficial, although for the most part indirect, influence on the Native schools of New Zealand; they have also been instrumental in bringing to the Maori front many able young men who, without the aid of the scholarships, would very possibly have been quite undistinguished. Native Boys' Boarding-school, St. Stephen's, Parnell, Auckland. —The school was inspected on the 2nd March. Forty-eight boys were present. The records were in good order. The schoolroom, dormitories, lavatories, &c, were in a very satisfactory state. The garden and the grounds were neat and attractive. As usual, the discipline was well up to the mark. The drawing is well taught, and the results secured were satisfactory. Singing and drill were taken at the examination. The singing was hearty, and the drill was very well done. The examination was held on the 14th August. Thirty-five pupils out of forty-eight passed. The latter number included nine " preparatories." Of the seniors, three out of four passed the second year's examination ; fifteen out of seventeen passed the first year's examination. In the ordinary standards one passed Standard IV., four passed Standard 111., eight passed Standard 11., and seven passed Standard I. Mr. Kirk's report concludes thus: "At to-day's examination excellent work has been done, and the bright and confident answering of the boys has impressed me very favourably. The results are uniformly good in all subjects." The Native College, Te Aute, Hawke's Bay. —The inspection of this institution was held on the Bth May, and the examination on the 3rd and 4th December, 1896. Mr. Kirk, M.A., inspected the school. The following are, perhaps, the salient points of his report : " The grounds are neatly kept, and present an attractive appearance." "In person, dress, and habits the boys are clean." " Some really excellent freehand drawing is done." "In drill the teaching was patient and careful, and the result was good." " The teaching throughout is marked by thought, by careful preparation, and by thoroughness. Great care is taken to insure that backward scholars shall not escape doing their proper share of work." With regard to sanitary conditions, it is said, " The present arrangements appear to me to be really good—free from all serious objection." Mr. Kirk sums up thus : " The general appearance of the school is very pleasing indeed; the mental attitude of the boys is good, and much solid and useful work is being done. The good tone that pervades the school, and the earnestness that characterizes both work and play, are things that must impress themselves upon the individual characters of the boys."—At the examination fifty-eight boys were present. Four others were preparing for the matriculation examination about to take place at Napier. These worked one paper at the school examination ; it was considered inadvisable to distract their attention from their preparation work by giving them more. Generally, the examination work of the rest of the school was very creditable, more especially as the standard of attainment for the lower forms (I. to IV.) had been greatly raised. Very great attention is now paid to the English work. Also, an effort has been made to " focus " the whole of the literary work of the school with reference to the final test to which Te Aute boys, as such, are subjected—viz., that in connection with the matriculation examination. This latter plan should tend to secure uniform and adequate results so far as scholarship is concerned. Even if it be granted that scholarship should not be the sole end and aim of Maori education, it may well be conceded that it must be useful to bring the school training of Maoris, in its final stage as a separate discipline, into line with that given to Europeans. Further on in this report a brief account of an important meeting of old Te Aute boys will be found. This will, it is hoped, give some idea of the amount of good that has been done in the past, and that is still being done by this valuable institution. The Protestant Native Girls' School, Hukarere, Napier. —The school was inspected by Mr. H. B. Kirk, M.A., on the 6th May, and it was examined on the Ist December, 1896. Fifty-two girls were present at examination. The following extracts from the reports sent in will give a good idea of the work of the school and the results produced by it. In the inspection report Mr. Kirk says, "The teaching is marked by thought and care, and it is generally interesting. Too much reliance is, however, placed on answers given simultaneously or by the readiest children. Generally speaking, the teaching is good, but there is not sufficient work calculated to impress the results of the teaching on the minds of the children." " The school gives the impression that it is pervaded by