E.—2

4

buildings were formerly at Mawhitiwhiti, from which the people very unwisely withdrew their support and so caused the efforts made to educate their children to fall to the ground. The aided school at Turanganui , on the Martinborough-East Coast Road, also began operations in the last quarter of the year. Although the start was somewhat unsatisfactory, it is hoped that the master will yet hold his own and make his school successful; he is well qualified for the task. No school was finally closed in the course of last year, but the following suffered from intermission of work for a month or more, through death, illness, removals, or other causes : Te Ahuahu, Te Waotu, Te Matai, Little River, Tikitiki, Waima, and Matata. Proposals for New Schools. Probably a short comment on each case still on the books will be sufficient: — Kaiwhata, Wellington Province. —A visit to this Wairarapa settlement will be paid very shortly. Kerepehi, Piako. —A school has been established here, with pleasing prospects. Kohanga, Waihato. —This now includes the Pakou case. There are difficulties in the way of obtaining a site. Manukau, Herekino District. —Maoris are again applying. It is likely that this would be a good field if a site were given. Maropiu, near Kaihu. —This will be visited at the first opportunity. There has been a Native school in the neighbourhood before. Moteo, Hawke's Bay. —What is wanted here is a bridge rather than a Native school. A bridge would enable scholars to attend the public schools. Motiti Island, Bay of Plenty. —It has not yet been found possible to get the building work done at a suitable price. Oruanui, Taupo District. —lt seems highly probable that a school would succeed here. Parawera, near Kihikihi. —A school has been established with a very competent staff. Pihama, Taranaki. —lt is likely that a school will be founded here by-and-by. Puniho, Taranaki. —This is a good case; it seems probable that a Maori school established here might prove to be a stepping-stone to the education of the Taranaki Maoris. Ramoto, near Wairoa. —This also seems to be a very hopeful case. Rangiawhia, Mangonui District. —An experimental school under Maori management has been started here. Rawhiti, Bay of Islands. —There is certainly room for a good little school at this picturesque spot; the case is a promising one. Rongokako. —ls identical with Kaiwhata. Takahiivai, Whangarei Harbour. —A school has been built here, and the prospect of success is considerable. The buildings have been removed from another site. Tongoio, Hawke's Bay. —The settlement is increasing; probably the founding of a school here has led to a return of the Maoris to their homes. Taumarunui, Upper Wanganui. —The new school is large and flourishing; it is almost certain to be very successful. Utaku, Lower Wanganui. —This place is some seventeen miles up the river from Pipiriki. It is thought that a school is needed there. Waimarama, East Coast. —There ought to be a fair school here if a site could be secured ; but there have been difficulties in the way of getting one. Waitahanui, Lake Taupo. —This is a very good case. A school ought to be given as soon as possible. Waiuku, Manukau Harbour. —lt seems likely that a good school could be maintained here if a suitable site were secured. Whakarewarewa, Rotorua. —A new school is flourishing here. Whangara, between Gisborne and Tolago Bay. —This will be a mixed school probably, but the Maori element will largely predominate. Maori Village Schools at Work during 1901, or some Portion of it, and Examined or 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 29th July, 1901). —The general aspect here was pleasing; the school had some time before fallen off considerably, and it had not yet been possible for the new teacher to make up all the leeway ; but good work had been done —enough to make it reasonable to expect much higher results next year. Te Kao (examined 30th July, 1901). —This school, which at first proved to be somewhat of a failure, and had been opened for many years before it really began to thrive, improved rapidly under Mr. and Mrs. Wykes. In the hands of the late teacher, now removed to Whakarewarewa, it became in the course of five years a really admirable institution —a distributing centre of farreaching good to the Aopouri Ngapuhi of the extreme North.