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Bangitukia (examined 3rd and 4th June, 1898). —The Maoris attended in force, and watched the proceedings with great interest and enthusiasm. The general character of the work here is somewhat lowered by the necessity that appears to exist for having standards higher than the fourth. Capital work is done, but it would be even better if the master were not compelled to scatter his fire. It goes without saying that a school with a total of seventy-eight, that passes fiftyfour children, and makes a gross percentage of over 90, is in most respects an admirable school; still, some weakness appeared both in vivd voce arithmetic and in slate-work; the reading, although clear, was not very fluent; and the dictation work was somewhat uneven. The school gained 314-5 marks, a number never before reached. Tikitiki (examined 2nd June, 1898). —As the Maoris and their new teachers become better acquainted so does mutual esteem increase. At the examination, passes were fairly numerous, but many of them had weak spots. Traces of hard and intelligent work were visible throughout. Any report on Tikitiki would be incomplete if it failed to make mention of the Chairman, Mr. Te Bua Huihui. Although Te Bua has been singularly unfortunate in losing member after member of his family by death, he yet, in the most self-denying way, continues to work earnestly and efficiently in order to keep the Tikitiki attendance constantly up to the mark. Wai-o-matatini (examined Ist June, 1898). —The rule here is mild; at the same time the order is very good indeed, and it appears to be maintained without effort. A very large amount of work has been done. The Fifth and Sixth Standards had taken up a great deal of time. If there had been only four standards and the "preparatories" the work would have been excellent throughout. Experience has shown beyond all doubt that the site is not a healthy one. Either a new Wai-o-matatini site should be tried, or the school should be removed to Te Horo or elsewhere with as little delay as possible. Tuparoa (examined 31st May, 1898). —Complete recovery from the condition into which the school had fallen had not been established when the examination took place. The master had, however, prepared the way for a new and better state of affairs, and it may be hoped that at the next examination, or the next but one at the latest, the school will be found to be thoroughly satisfactory. Speaking generally, I should say that the greatest weakness appeared in arithmetic and geography; the most satisfactory part of the work was that included under the general term "English." Hiruharama (examined 30th May, 1898).—This school is worked under difficulties. The settlement is far from the coast, and from the fish and the pipis in which the heart of the Maori rejoices ; the land is good, but it is cut up into runs on which most of the Maoris work, and there are no considerable Maori cultivations. The dwellings are of a temporary character, and most of the children come to school from afar, crossing many creeks by the way, and arriving at school wet; as might be expected, severe colds are very common. Still, the results were quite pleasing. Some weakness appeared in arithmetic, but generally the work was satisfactory. It was plain, too, that the teachers had, in common phrase, " caught on " very thoroughly. Tokomaru (examined 28th May, 1898). —There has been a considerable falling off in the attendance. The " Tokomaru lease" has fallen in, and many Natives have gone to settle on the land at some miles distance from the school. It does not appear that the school's safety is endangered by this development. The results were large and, in the main, satisfactory. Strength was shown in geography, slate arithmetic, health work, and the English of Standard II.; weakness was manifested in the higher English, the comprehension work, and the physical geography. Tokomaru has a place among our best and most interesting schools. Wairarapa, Cook Strait, and the South Island. Papawai (examined 12th December, 1898). —The attendance at Papawai is much smaller than it ought to be. There is some reason to expect a better attendance of Maoris next year, but past experience shows that not much reliance is to be placed on such expectations. A good deal of hard work had been done by the master during the past year. The results, although not of the highest class, were satisfactory, and in one or two directions strikingly good. The geography of the school was excellent. Whangarae, Croiselles (examined Bth October, 1898).—This little subsidised school has done excellent work, and has quite justified the giving of the amount of help that it has received. The results are very good indeed, and the two teachers have evidently worked hard and well, Croiselles may be found on the eastern side of Tasman Bay, and about twenty miles from Nelson. Waikawa, near Picton (examined 11th October, 1898). —I am sorry to have to record here the death of Mr. George Macdonald, who was master of the Waikawa School for many years, and did much useful work both within and without the school. He was generally and highly respected. As the new teacher had been only a week in charge of the school, the results are Mr. Macdonald's. That there should have been fair results after the school had been closed for three months speaks well for the late teacher's earnestness and power. Wairau (examined 10th October, 1898). —The order, formerly a rather weak point here, has improved considerably. The work of the school had been much interrupted by illness of scholars and teachers. This has now, happily, passed away, and it is pleasing to learn that the attendance has improved of late. Examination results were satisfactory. The extra subjects, especially singing and drill, are very well taught. Mangamaunu (examined 19th December, 1898). —This seems to be still a useful little school, and it was said that the attendance was to increase after the holidays. At present, at all events, there seems to be no reason to close the school. At the examination there was only one failure, and there is reason to believe that the master, after seeing our methods and requirements, will produce thoroughly good results for us. The work shown at examination was decidedly promising. Kaiapoi (examined 2nd November, 1898). —The garden and grounds are well cared for, and present an attractive appearance. The school children talk more than is desirable, but there is no serious ground for complaint. There had been a great deal of sickness in the pa—measles and typhoid. Several children were still away, and several of those in school were barely convalescent. In view of these facts, the results secured could well be considered satisfactory. [In connection

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