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Parawera, Waikato District.—lt has been decided to found a school here. The case seems to be sufficiently good. Pariroa, near Patea, West Coast. —A school will be established here ; success may be expected. Pihama, West Coast, Taranaki. —A visit has been paid, and the case is under consideration. A school is very desirable here ; but the case is difficult. Puniho, West Coast, Taranaki. —A visit has been paid, and the case is under consideration. Puniho is on very much the same footing as Pihama. liamoto, Wairoa, Hawke's Bay. —Further progress here seems to be impossible. The matter has been under consideration, off and on, for no less than twenty-two years. The Maoris do not manage to give a suitable site. Banana te Tuarua, or Turanganui. —This is a proposal for a small subsidised school. Raketepaumu, near Karioi. —The application was informal. Rangaunu, near Waimate North. —Request for a school has been renewed. The Maoris are entitled to much sympathy; but their district is, perhaps, somewhat overstocked with schools already. Rangiaiohia, Mangonui. —It seems likely that a Maori couple could best satisfy the requirements of this district. Also it seems fitting that a trial of a school with Maori teachers should be made; and this appears to be a proper place for making the experiment in. A beginning will probably soon be made. Ruapuke Island, Foveaux Strait. —lt is doubtful whether great success can be achieved at this lonely place ; but another attempt is to be made. Takahiwai, Whangarei Harbour. —Steps are being taken to remove the Taiharuru School to Takahiwai; fair success is certainly possible here. Takou Bay, North Auckland. —The case of this school was referred to the Department by the Auckland Board. The place seems suitable for our work, but it has not yet been visited. Tangoio, Hawke's Bay. —This will probably be a central school for the Maoris living along the coast to the north of Petane. If the Maoris exert themselves to secure the success of their scheme the school will do very well; but it has to be actually made. Tapuaekura, Lake Rotoiti. — This application is prima facie based on the principle that wherever a number of children sufficient to start a small school can be found, there one should be established. This principle is unsound; for the worth of a school generally depends very much on its size. However, the application will have to be considered on its merits. Taumarunui, Upper Wanganui. —There will probably be a fine school here; it ought to be opened before the close of the year. Raglan, West Coast, North Island. —There have been two applications sent in from this district, but, as there is already a properly equipped Board school near at hand, the need for a Native school is by no means obvious. Waimarama, Cape Kidnappers. —This is a very good opening. There might be a capital Maori school there, but the question of providing a site seems to be causing delay. Waitahanui, Lake Taupo East. —It is highly probable that a good Maori school could be maintained here with the assistance of the Opepe people, which is promised. Whakarewarewa, Lake Rotorua. —A school will be opened here shortly. It is very sorely needed. Whangara, East Coast. —This is some eighteen miles north of Gisborne. It will be to a certain extent a mixed school, but predominantly Maori. The prospects are good. Whareponga, East Coast. —This place is between four and five miles north of Waipiro. There should be a good school there. Operations will probably begin before the close of the year. Waitara. —A request has been received for a Maori school at Waitara ; but it was not a petition from the Maoris, and consequently could hardly be dealt with under the Native Schools Code. Besides, the Taranaki Board is in full possession at Waitara. Maobi Village Schools at Wobk during 899 or some Poetion op it, and Examined ob Inspected, or 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, including estimates of their general efficiency as educational institutions, 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 : — The Far North — Parengarenga, Mangonui, and Whangaroa. Hapua (examined Saturday, 23rd June, 1900). —The new school buildings were in fair order, but they had not been made full use of. Gardening work had not yet been begun. The pupils worked with earnestness, and, although a little more formality would hardly have been out of place, they were well in hand. The younger children proved to be exceedingly backward. The senior English work deserved high praise; if it had been considerably neater it could have been called excellent. The arithmetic was much below the mark. Generally, the results of a greatly perturbed year's work were not very satisfactory. Te Kao (examined 25th June, 1900). —In spite of many serious drawbacks—proximity of gumfields, poverty of soil, long distances to be travelled by children—this school is one of our very best. The results of the examination Were highly creditable. The strongest work is showni n English, which is particularly excellent, but reading and writing are also very good. There is, however, no weak subject. The hold that this school has on the people connected with it, both parents and pupils, is truly surprising. Children quite usually walk four or five miles to school,

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