E.—2

1902. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: NATIVE SCHOOLS. [In continuation of E.-2, 1901.]

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

No. 1. EXTRACT FROM TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION. Native Schools. There were ninety-one village schools in full operation at the end of 1901, two more than the number open in December, 1900. If mission schools and board-ing-schools examined by the Department, as well as the four new village schools, and two aided schools, are added, the total number of schools was 103. The increased activity in building, necessitated by the increased interest of Maoris in the matter of education, and the installation of operations in connection with technical work, have caused an increase in the expenditure to the extent of ,£3,425. The average attendance for the year has increased by 92-5, and is 2,592-25, while the regularity of attendance is greater by nearly 3 per cent.; it has again reached the level attained in 1898. There is a satisfactory increase in the number of passes. For the reason stated in the Inspector's report, it is interesting to find that the ratio of the number of girls to that of the number of boys has sensibly increased. Of the six schools opened in the course of the year 1901 two are decidedly small. One of these is at Euapuke Island, in Foveaux Strait, where there was, very many years ago, a mission-house under the Rev. Mr. Wohlers, who also kept a small school going. The population of the place is now larger and more steady than it was. The other is an aided school at Turanganui, Palliser Bay —the settlement of Captain Brown, a very well known Maori chief. The beginning made was not very successful, but there is some reason to hope for better things. All the other four new schools have made a satisfactory beginning. One of these is at Te Haroto, on the Napier-Taupo Boad, a few miles on the Napier side of Tarawera. The climate of the place is rather severe, but the Maoris appear to have thoroughly made up their minds to secure success and have made an excellent beginning. Oromahoe, Bay of Islands District, is another revived school; it, too, has had a rest of about twenty years. The Natives of the place are evidently doing their best to deserve the consideration shown them by Government in reopening in their village. Whareponga is on the East Coast, about five miles from Waipiro; a successful beginning under a careful master has been made, and the prospects of success are considerable. Pariroa, near Patea, is interesting as being a kind of Maori centre whose people long held aloof. Their anxiety to have a school has been great, and it is reported that the prospects of their school are good. It was not found necessary to close any school in the course of the last twelve months. I—E. 2.