E.— 2

1900. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: NATIVE SCHOOLS. [In continuation of E.-2, 1899.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. EXTEACT FROM TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION. The number of Maori village schools in operation at the end of 1899 was eightyfour, four more than were open in December, 1898. The number of children on the rolls of these schools on 31st December, 1899, was 3,065, or 93 more than at the end of the previous year. The average weekly roll-number during 1899 was 3,255, which shows an increase of 199; but there was a slight falling-off in the regularity of attendance, as the strict average attendance increased only by 93 - 75 —namely, from 2,341 to 2,434 - 75 ;in other words, the average attendance during 1899 was 74 - 8 per cent, of the average roll-number, as against 76*6 in 1898. Two new schools—Waimana, in the Tuhoe country, and Wai-o-tapu, in the Eotorua district—were opened during the year, and seem to promise success. Three schools were reopened; these are—Peria, in the Mangonui district; Whangape, in the Hokianga district; and Otamatea, in the Kaipara district. At the first two schools there has been a large attendance since the reopening; in the case of the third serious sickness has interfered with progress. The school at Karikari (Tauranga) was removed to a new site at Papamoa; the name of the Koriniti school (Wanganui district) was changed at the request of the Maoris to Pamoana. One school, Mawhitiwhiti, in the Taranaki district, was closed towards the end of the year, in consequence of the continued apathy .of the people. More recently, since the beginning of the present year, it has been found necessary, by reason of greatly diminished attendance, to close two other schools —Whakarapa, near Hokianga, (temporarily), and Huria, near Tauranga. On the other hand, since the end of 1899, a school has been opened at Touwai, near Whangaroa; at Euapuke, near Foveaux Strait, the building is ready for a teacher; and tenders are soon to be invited for the erection of schools at Tapuaeharuru, close to Lake Eoto-iti, and at Te Haroto, on the Napier-Taupo Eoad. In regard to the proposals for new schools, there seems to be, in three or four cases at least, a fair prospect of success; and should difficulties as to sites, &c, be overcome, the schools in question should be opened at no distant date. One of the most pleasing features in connection with the work of the year is our continued successful advance into the northern portion of the Tuhoe or TJrewera country. I—E. 2.