E.-2

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Misunderstandings in the settlement about matters not connected with the school had had a disturbing effect on the school. Taiharuru (examined 23rd April, 1898).— If the short time that the school has been open is considered the examinationjresults were very satisfactory. There was weakness, of course ; this was most striking in the arithmetic ; the pronunciation of English was very good. The order was nearly, or quite, faultless, with very little sign of constraint. There had been some misunderstanding between the teacher and the Chairman, caused mainly, I believe, by the teacher's misunderstood efforts to afford the Maoris assistance. Opanaki (examined 16th May, 1898).— The results of the examination were, on the whole, tolerable. The master had been for some time out of health, and had been hardly strong enough for his work, g The schooljwas handed over to the Auckland Board in October last. Goromandel, Waikato, and " King-country." Manaia (examined 11th March, 1898).—The Manaia Maoris were, when the inspection took place, suffering from famine, caused by the long continuance of very dry weather. In view of the fact that the school had been only eleven months open the examination results deserved to be called good ; but, of course, there was much weakness. This appeared chiefly in the reading and in the English, the pronunciation being as yet incorrect. Bakaumanga (examined 14th March, 1898).— A large Maori meeting was to take place in a few days, and already Maoris were assembling from all the surrounding districts. Under the circunistances it could hardly be expected that great interest would be shown by the Maoris in the affairs of the school. But, at any rate, the existence of a Maori school within a mile and a half of Mahuta's permanent residence is a very favourable omen. Considering the shortness of the time that the master had been at-work one might well call the examination results satisfactory. Another visit was paid to the school some months later. Baorao (examined 21st March, 1898).— I learnt that "the state of nature" prevailed at Baorao some six months before the inspection. The improvement must have been very great. The rule was found to be mild, but most effective. There was every reason to be satisfied with what had been done, and the ability and industry of the teachers should soon cause them to hold a very conspicuous place on our staff. . Kawhia (examined 18th March, 1898).—This school was opened in 1895, and in 1898 there were many passes in all the standards except the fourth. I was given to understand that there was a good prospect of increased attendance. The discipline was very good. On the whole, there was great reason to be pleased with this interesting school, standing, as it does, within a mile of the landing-place of the great Tainui canoe, and among people who but a very short time ago regarded everything European with either aversion or contempt. Te Kopua (examined 22nd March, 1898).—The buildings and grounds are in very good order. A great deal has been done in the way of reclaiming what was fast becoming a waste. The results of the examination were satisfactory ; weakness appeared in one or two subjects, notably in the reading of the juniors. Some of the answering (especially the geography, the health-work, and the dictation) was very pleasing. At a subsequent visit I found a rather serious misunderstanding m progress : mere mention of it may perhaps tend to prevent repetition. Te Kuiti (examined 22nd November, 1898).—This school is really in the King-country. It seems to have overcome the prejudice of the Maoris that are not yet Europeanized so far, that it is generally recognised, even by Maoris very conservative in other respects, that a school is certainly not a bad thing. So far as I can learn, the master has thoroughly made good his position here, and has given satisfaction to all that have a right to expect it. The examination results were quite satisfactory. . , , v Te Waotu (examined 24th March, 1898).—There had been a considerable increase m the attendance since the previous examination, as well as a stronger feeling of the necessity for keeping the children constantly at work. This feeling, however, was not powerful enough to make the elder children attend with greater regularity; hence the lower part of the school was considerably stronger than the upper. The influx-of young children had to some extent impaired the order, which had previously improved. Taupo and Wanganui. Tokaanu (examined 26th March, 1898).—This very important school in what was long considered a hopeless district, was removed to Tokaanu from Pukawa towards the close of 1897. Almost from the day it was opened it has been successful, and is now one of our very best schools. It should have a great future before it. On the whole, the examination brought to light results that were satisfactory both as to quantity and quality. The school is, and has been from the first, in very capable hands. Pipiriki (examined 30th March, 1898).— As is the case with nearly all new schools, some weakness appeared in the reading and the English, but generally the results were very good from the top of the school to the very bottom. The order is good ; neither " whispering " nor " trifling were perceptible ; the children work too hard to have time for mischief. The specially weak point in this school is the irregularity of the attendance, but this will probably disappear as the school gets older. The kindergarten work is an excellent feature here. Koriniti (inspected only, 31st March, 1898).— The school had been open for seven weeks only, and it was therefore the business of the settlement; a tangihanga happened to be in progress when the inspection was held, but even this, so far as I could judge, took quite a secondary place. It is pleasing to learn that up to the present time the excitement has hardly subsided at all. The teachers are showing capacity, industry, and enthusiasm, as they did at their former school.