4

E. -2

The Far North. — Parengarenga, Mangonui, and Whangarod. Hapua (examined 9th May, 1898). —This district has shown itself worthy of great consideration, by keeping its school in a flourishing condition for three years, in spite of the very discouraging surroundings. When proper buildings are erected there will certainly be an excellent school at this remote settlement. The work shown at examination was very creditable to all concerned in producing it. Te Kao (examined 10th May, 1898). —The master and his assistants now have the school well in hand, and at examination extensive results of good quality were forthcoming. Only two weak points were noted—-the viva voce arithmetic was not so good as the written work, and the use of the verb to be was too often dispensed with, although there had been good general progress in the English work. The parents appear to take deep interest in the welfare of the school, and the pupils regard the teachers as their best friends. Pamapuria (examined 4th May, 1898). — The reopening of this school has, so far, produced good results, and there is reason to hope for continued success. The master's methods have distinctly Victorian characteristics, and with their aid pupils have imparted to them, in strenuous fashion, what it is necessary for them to know. The results at examination were very pleasing, although a little weakness appeared in English, and rather more than a little in geography. The parents are showing great interest in their school. Ahipara (examined 12th May, 1898). — A small increase of work in one or two directions would have greatly improved the respectable examination results. What is wanted is, in the main, a higher ratio of oral work that can be rehearsed and heard to written exercises that can only be examined and corrected. The interest of the Maoris in their school fluctuates, and at times is very small; the elder children work with a fair amount of earnestness, the juniors more perfunctorily. There is trouble here with sand-encroachment, which may by-and-by overwhelm the schoolhouse. Pukepoto (examined 13th May, 1898). —The rule is mild and genial; only one case of corporal punishment had been recorded. The relations between the Maoris and their teacher are very good indeed. What with the high price of gum, and other disturbing elements, the year's work proved somewhat less productive than usual. Still, a good number of passes, some of them decidedly meritorious, had to be recorded. Parapara (examined 6th May, 1898). —At the examination great strength was shown in the English and in the dictation work of the two higher classes ; the rest of the work was, at the best, only pretty fair. The master has yet to acquire familiarity with strong methods for teaching arithmetic and geography—methods as good as those used by him in his English work—and then he will obtain first-class results. The Committee and its Chairman do their work well, and the children are eager to learn, and very intelligent. Kenana (examined 3rd May, 1898). —This still continues to be a very small school, although the Chairman and the Committee do their best to children from outlying settlements—for instance, they invited the people of Taemaaru, a little coast kaainga, to send their children ; it is understood that difference of creed proved to be an insurmountable obstacle. The new teacher has made a very promising beginning ; his pupils work rapidly and well. Te Pupuke (examined 2nd May, 1898). —Many visitors were present during the greater part of the day, watching the proceedings with intelligence and evident pleasure. The weakest part of the work shown was the handwriting : an all-round slackening of the speed would be a first step towards improvement. The slate arithmetic was not very strong. The English work was very fair. " Health " and geography were very good. At a subsequent visit one of the records showed some want of care in the keeping of it. Whakarara (examined 29th November, 1898). —-This school was not quite a year old when the examination took place ; in view of this fact, the work shown was highly satisfactory. The operations inside the school and outside of it show that a very valuable addition has been made to our staff. For gaining an influence for good over the people they come into contact with, whether these are old or young, Maori or European, and making them feel that they have an implicit usefulness that ought to be made explicit, these new teachers are hardly to be excelled. Hokianga District. — Mr. T. L. Millar, Local Visitor. Utakitra (examined 27th July, 1898). —The pupils have a tendency to answer questions without being specially called upon to do so. At the conference with the Committee no complaints were made, and no requests ; there were only expressions of complete satisfaction with the school and all its works. The teachers had formerly been rather unfortunate in having to work in mixed schools of difficult character. Here they are evidently in their element, and appear to much greater advantage. Whakarapa (examined 23rd July, 1898). —The Whakarapa people might fairly be expected to take more interest in their school. Their want of interest has been shown by the irregularity of the children's attendance. There are weak spots in the school; these owe their existence to the frequent absence of the pupils. The work shown was strong enough to convince an examiner that, with regular attendance of the pupils, it would have been excellent. Matihetihe (examined 14th May, 1898). —The inspection results were satisfactory. The teacher maintains good discipline, keeping all the while on good terms with her pupils. The teaching was promising, but a young teacher only three months in charge could hardly be expected to show striking results.' Whirinaki (examined 21st July, 1898). —There is every reason to hope that the Whirinaki people will to the utmost of their power help the teachers to make the school thoroughly satisfactory. It would be very disappointing if after maintaining a large school for many years in most