E.—2

3

making a good start, had rapidly become unsatisfactory, and, as there was close at hand a public school without a suitable abode, it seemed to be right to combine the two schools, especially as the Maoris of the district knew enough English to enable their children to profit by public-school instruction forthwith. Besides the schools spoken of above several others have been opened or reopened since the beginning of the school year 1899, or will be opened a little later on. Such are the schools at Wai-o-tapu, Whangape, Otamatea, and Peria —all reopened; the new school at Waimana ; and the schools removed to Papamoa and Awangararanui from Karikari and Galatea respectively. Proposals for New Schools. Maunu. —This is on the main road from Whangarei to Poroti. The department has not seen its way to establish a Native school in the neighbourhood of two public schools, even though the needs of the Maoris are at present by no means fully supplied. Motiti Island. —A visit will be paid immediately. The case appears to be a good one. Ngakau-o-hine-kuku and Te Haroto. —These two settlements are near the Napier-Taupo Boad. When a site has been reserved a school will probably be established for them; plans and specifications for buildings are ready. Ohiwa, Bay of Plenty. —The proposal, for an establishment of a school at Punawai-Ohiwa has fallen through. It is, however, possible that a suggestion made that we should build at Wai-o-tahi, in the same district, may prove fruitful. Onewhero, Lower Waikato. —The proposal with regard to this district also has come to nought ; but there is some prospect of its being revived. Oromahoe, Bay of Islands. —This district asks for a school; a visit will be paid shortly. The prospects seem good. Oruanui, North Taupo. —A preliminary visit was paid a short time ago. The department waits for further information from the Maoris. Parapara, Field's Track. —The number of children in this district appears to be increasing. The district will be visited almost immediately. Parawera, near Kihikihi. —This was formerly King Tawhiao's settlement; now the people are asking for a Native school. Poroutawhao, near Levin. —A Native school has been asked for; the negotiations are in the preliminary stage. Pukerimu-Taumarunui District. —A visit should be paid towards the close of the year; the number of children does not appear to be large, and there is some reason to suppose that the question will be complicated through the sending in of a petition by the people of Taumarunui. Putataka, Port Waikato. —No advance has taken place. Bamoto, Wairoa, Hawke's Bay. —Action on the part of the Maoris is being waited for. Bangaunu, near Waimate North. —The leading Maoris of this place were very anxious to obtain a Native school, but the existence of two public schools a short distance from Bangaunu seemed to be sufficient ground for declining the application. Bangiawhia, in the Mangonui District. —The position of affairs here is much the same as it was last year. There has been no solution of the difficulty. Buapuke Island. —Further progress cannot be made here until the site is secured. Takahiwai, near Point Marsden, Whangarei. —An application has lately arrived from this district. The population seems to be small, but perhaps when more urgent needs have been dealt with the district might be able to establish a claim to a school. Tapuaeharuru, Lake Botoiii. —The principal settlement is at the eastern end of the lake, an not far from Botoehu. This is a very promising case. There is a fine opening here for a permanent school of medium size. Te Tii, Kerikeri, Bay of Islands. —The negotiations in this case are in the preliminary stage. Tikapa, Waiapu Biver. —The application for a school here has been renewed. It does not appear that the conditions have greatly changed since the district was last visited. Touwai, near Whangaroa. —This is a very good case; a school should be established as soon as possible. Wai-o-tapu (near the tourist resort of that name). —The school will be opened soon. Waimana, Urewera Country. —The school will be opened very soon. Waitahanui, North-east Taupo. —It seems likely that a good case will be made out here, and that a school will soon be established. Whakaki, between Wairoa and Nithaka. —There are at the least fairly good prospects here, and the Maoris show great desire for a school. Mr. Hunter Brown is assisting the Natives by waiving his claim to the leased land which the Maoris propose to give for a school site. Whareponga, East Coast. —This district was formerly served by the Aku Aku School. An application is now being made for an independent school. Native Village Schools at Work during 1898 or some Portion of it, and examined or inspected, OB 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, 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 : —