E.—2

4

Native Village Schools at Work dubing 1897 ob some Portion of It, and examined or inspected, or both. The basis on which the schools are grouped in this report is afforded by their geographical positions. Much information respecting the work done by individual schools, and their general efficiency as educational institutions, has been tabulated and. printed in the appendix to this report (see Tables VI. and VII.). Additional information respecting the character and circumstances of particular schools will be found in the following paragraphs:— The Far North — Parengarenga, Mangonui, and Whangaroa. Hapua (examined 2nd March, 1897). —This, the most northerly of all our schools, is a very interesting one; the attendance is large, the parents show much enthusiasm with regard to their children's education, and the children themselves are alert and intelligent in a high degree. The examination results were unusually good. It is probable that this will be a satisfactory field for educational effort for many a year; one important work to be done by a school here is to supply a unifying principle for the somewhat discordant elements peculiar to the place and people. The Hapua School buildings are of the roughest description, and should be replaced as early as possible by a suitable schoolhouse and residence. Te Kao (examined Ist March, 1897). —There was good reason to be satisfied with the substantial results secured by the present staff—worthy successors of Mr. Wykes and his late wife. No doubt, when the next visit takes place the external features (condition of garden, grounds, &c.) will have greatly improved. It is difficult to say whether Te Kao or its northern neighbour is likely to become the more important. • Ahipara (examined 27th February, 1897). —On the whole the results were somewhat disappointing, but still a good foundation had been laid for the next year's work. No doubt the long holiday, that had ended only two years previously, had had a lowering effect, and had done much to render it difficult for a newcomer to secure first-class results. Pukepoto (examined 26th February, 1897). —The methods in use here have a thoughtful and consequently effective character: few of the blows struck miss their object. Diaries are still kept by the senior pupils. Also, the practice of making each pupil compose and deliver an English sentence is still part of the school routine. These two devices, to say nothing of others, have done a great deal to improve the pupils' knowledge of English. This subject, and dictation, are the strong points here. The weakest subject is arithmetic. Parapara (examined 6th March, 1897). —The example of the Chairman of the Committee of this o-chool might well be followed at many a more pretentious institution. He was untiring in his efforts to obtain a school, and now that one has been secured he, with his Committee, works hard and constantly to keep it up to the mark. The examination brought to light a few weak spots, notably in viva voce arithmetic, geography, and spelling; still, there was good reason to be pleased with the results as a whole. Kenana (examined 28th March, 1897). —This is only a small school, but it is Maori through and through, and quite justifies its existence. There are several babies in the district, and this makes an increased attendance not impossible. In spite of some weakness in arithmetic the results were highly creditable. The master has been removed to a more extensive field of labour. Te Pupuke (examined 15th July, 1897). —The approach to this school was unusually bad from both north and south, and a very early start from Kenana was not early enough to allow one to reach the school in good time. The school work, fortunately, had been very well done ; the children were ready in both senses of the word, and the results were entirely satisfactory. Also, the short inspection of the methods, discipline, and organization was very pleasing. One interesting feature observed was the amicable working together of two leading men, hitherto generally hostile, in order to secure a satisfactory education for the children of their people. Hokianga. — Local Visitor, Mr. T. L. Millar, Postmaster, Bawene. Waimamaku (examined 13th March, 1897). —A very good beginning has been made hereby the new master, and there is reason to hope that the continuation and the end will be good also. The attendance is far too low, but all the information obtainable indicates the possibility of considerable improvement in the future. Waitapu (examined 10th March, 1897). —The order and the discipline generally were good. The work of the top of the school was strong ; that of the lower classes not so strong. Later on it was found necessary to close the school on account of the smallness of the attendance. Matihetihe (examined 9th March, 1897).—The difficulty in working this as a half-time school is very great. The road over the sandhills and along the beach is decidedly difficult in bad weather, and thus the limited amount of ordinary school time has frequently been still further reduced, These hindrances being considered, it is possible to say that the results were fairly satisfactory. Whakarapa (examined 11th March, 1897). —Without showing much enthusiasm, the pupils work well. The attendance had fallen off very much towards the end of the previous year through famine, but there had been great improvement, and at the time of the examination the number of children at school was unusually large. The work shown bore many indications of thoughtful and intelligent industry on the part of the teacher. Motukaraka (examined 26th July, 1897). —The " tone " here is not so bad as the irregularity of the attendance would make it appear to be; the parents would keep their children constantly at school if circumstances would allow them to do so. In spite of numerous drawbacks, the examination results were much better than they had been for a long time previously. The teaching of the " extra subjects " is particularly good here, and this is a matter of no small importance. Mangamuka (examined 27th July, 1897). —There is reason to be greatly pleased with the work done here; even better results will be forthcoming next year unless very untoward events occur to