E.-2

8

ability as a teacher. Mr. Steel was just beginning to make his mark, and to secure suitable recognition of his worth, when he was " snatched away untimely," to the great regret of all who knew him well. East Coast. Wharekahika (examined 14th May, 1897). —Although the attendance is small, the people are doing their best; they show real interest in the school. There is every reason to be satisfied with the reopening of it. The Committee urged that the teacher should not be removed, and explained that every available child is being sent to school. The examination results were good in the two lower standards; not so good in the higher. Te Araroa (examined 17th May, 1897). —The school continues to be a credit to the Department, and to exert an elevating influence on the district in which it is placed. The teacher's health has for some time been failing, and has, of late, given some cause for anxiety. The examination results were decidedly good, in spite of the fact that there was a great deal of serious illness among the children last year. [Since this was written the master has died, after many years of most useful work in a remote district. There is no better or more faithful teacher in the service than Mr. Thomas Beattie was.] Bangitukia (examined 18th May, 1897). —This large school continues to do very satisfactory work, in spite of much sickness in the district, and of very considerable irregularity in the attendance. The efforts of the staff are not seconded by the people quite as actively as they should be. Copying is not unknown here. The results are generally satisfactory. Tikitiki (examined 20th May, 1897). —Some decline has taken place in the ready and confident answering of the children. The general appearance and work of the school have not declined. As one enters the schoolroom his attention is called to a 'roughly-made but very useful tellurium, and to a clay model intended to illustrate geographical definitions—pleasing indications of an appreciation of what geographical teaching ought to be. The attendance continues large, and the results are good. Wai-o-matatini (examined 26th May, 1897). —The children here work honestly and obey promptly; no indications of bad tone were observed. The people, represented by ten or a dozen men, showed themselves entirely opposed to any scheme involving a change of teachers. They had learnt that the master was finding the place unhealthy, and that he wished to leave it, and they thought it well to put in a protest early. It would probably be well if the school could be removed to Te Horo, somewhat more than a mile away. Besults were very good. Tuparoa (examined 27th May, 1897). —The tone of the school was not good, neither were the results; but most of the children that failed had attended badly. The teacher, moreover, had been greatly overworked, through the loss of one assistant and the illness of another, and through having to attend to telegraph- and post-office work in addition to that of the school. A new disposition of teachers has been made, which it is hoped will prove satisfactory. Hiruharama (examined 22nd May, 1897). —The teaching is very interesting; it is far-reaching and complete. All explanations are thoroughly clear, and care is taken to ascertain that they have been grasped by the children. This school presented an excellent general aspect, and had done admirable work. Of the children above the preparatory class not one failed, and most of them made the uniformly strong passes that give as much pleasure to the examiner as they do to the teacher and the pupil. The results were thoroughly satisfactory. Tokomaru (examined 29th May, 1897). —The teaching is very clearly and thoughtfully given; numerous marks of careful preparation are in evidence. The school is fortunate, too, in having a Chairman of energy and influence, who does his duty in assisting the teachers to secure a creditable appearance at examination time. The results generally are sound and good. On the whole, the East Coast is still in the van so far as Native schools are concerned, although formidable rivals are springing up here and there throughout the colony. Hawke's Bay, Taupo, and the Wanganui District. Kokako, Waikaremoana (inspected 7th June, 1897). —In view of the fact that the school had been in operation for only about three months, and that it was to be examined soon after the beginning of the next school year, the work was confined to inspection and what is called organizing work. It was found, however, that a good beginning had been made, and that there was reason to hope that the material out of which a successful school could be constructed was available. Pukawa (examined 22nd March, 1897). —The teachers deserve great credit for the admirable work done by them here; it has been accomplished in the face of many great difficulties and much discouragement. The examination gave very much better results than one could have ventured to expect. Both teachers have great natural aptitude for teaching, and their industry is untiring ; besides, they have rapidly acquired the special knowledge connected with Native-school teaching. Hence the passes secured were numerous and of high quality. Pipiriki (examined 26th March, 1897). —The children seem to be held well in hand, and thoroughly amenable to the influences that are being brought to bear on them. The school had certainly made a hopeful start. The results already secured were very good for a school that had been less than six months in operation. The master had been constantly endeavouring to acquire our unfamiliar methods, and to promote the success of his school. Papawai (examined 13th December, 1897). —This has now become much more of a Maori school than it was, and it appears to be in a sounder position than it has occupied for many years past. The work shown at examination was rather uneven, being good in the upper part of the school (except in English), and not nearly so good in the lower. The standard of attainment in the lower standards had apparently been pitched too low. However, good work may be confidently expected next year.