5

E.—2.

Paparore (examined 26th July, 1901). —A good start has been made here, and Paparore promises well ;it is settling down to Maori work in the main—as it should. What the master has done in the short time that he has been here is very creditable to him. Ahipara (examined Ist August, 1901. —What may be called an epidemic of billiards was in progress at inspection time ; it was understood that the results were enrichment of table owners, with corresponding impoverishment of parents, and irregular attendance of senior children. The juniors here are now well advanced, and the master, who has been ailing of late, has capital material for the coming year. Pukepoto (examined 25th July, 1901). —In the year 1900 the master made a good beginning, and by examination time in 1901 he had made great progress. He is ably supported, and, generally, there is reason to hope for very good work from Pukepoto ; that shown at the examination was decidedly encouraging. Extra subjects are well taught. What is called the " external tone " is capital; this is largely due to the Chairman's influence. Pamapuria (examined 24th July, 1901). —The master secures " massive " results that lack the polish he might easily give. There had been very much strong work done in English composition and in arithmetic, and, indeed, in most of the subjects. Passes were numerous and, all things considered, good. The new assistant is painstaking, and likely to do well. Parapara (examined 23rd July, 1901). —At the previous examination in 1900 no passes were recorded. This year, under a new teacher who has always done well when working steadily with members of her family, satisfactory results were secured; writing, however, was rather carelessly done. Pupils are beginning to take intelligent interest in an examination, and to appreciate the difference between passing and failing. Peria (examined 22nd July, 1901). —The Peria people have always been friendly to education, and they are so still. The pupils are much interested in their work, and regard failure as a real calamity. The large number of young children here lowered the percentages somewhat, but there was hardly any well-marked weakness in the school. Kenana (examined 20th July, 1901). —This bright little settlement is certainly improving; also the parents are taking great interest in school affairs and in the progress of their children; they certainly had no reason to be disappointed with the work shown. The prospects of the school are decidedly good. Te Pupuke (examined 19th July, 1901). —Parents here take a rather languid kind of interest in the school—would on the whole like to see it do well. Closer attention to standard requirements would improve the character and increase the mass of the work. The assistant promises well, but too much responsibility must not be thrown on her yet; she should never be left in full charge of the school. Drill is very pleasing. Touwai (examined 18th July, 1901). —The novelty of the school has not yet worn off, and the parents' interest in the work seems unabated. Relations between teachers and pupils are very pleasing. A good eighteen months' work was shown at the examination. Pleasing progress had been made in drawing and in drill. Whakarara (examined 17th July, 1901). —The general aspect of this school is very satisfactory ; the master and mistress are on excellent terms with their clients; they work hard, and produce very presentable results, besides familiarising the Maoris with a pleasing type of European family life. It may be mentioned that Whakarara is one of the most romantic spots in North Auckland. Hokianga District. — Mr. T. L. Millar, Local Visitor. Whangape (examined 2nd August, 1901). —In spite of the very considerable difficulties arising from the natural features of Whangape, its pupils, parents, and teachers appeared to be working with much spirit and considerable success; and there is good ground to hope that when satisfactory arrangements have been made for conveying the children across the stormy estuary in unfavourable weather the master will see that they make good progress. Matihetihe (examined 4th August, 1901). — There had been a marked falling-off here. The children now work with less vigour, and the interest of the parents is not so great as it used to be. At next year's inspection and examination signs of very great improvement should be considered indispensable. Motukaraka (examined 17th May, 1901).- —The Department has had under consideration the question of removing the Motukaraka buildings to Tapuwae, some seven miles up the inlet of that name. There had been for some months a half-time school at that place. Removal now seems inadvisable. The results at examination were not altogether satisfactory; children that had made over a hundred attendances knew very little indeed. Mangamuka (examined 6th May, 1901). —The results actually achieved were only moderate; they were, however, the product of only some nine months' work, the teacher having been practically incapacitated by illness during three months of the school year. Preparation for technical work is in progress here. Maraeroa (examined 15th May, 1901). —The children work honestly, and their behaviour is good. The results of the work were on the whole satisfactory. The master's health has broken down to a considerable extent, and the assistant, who is a certificated teacher, has had to do a considerable part of her husband's work. Whirinaki (examined 20th May, 1901). — This school is of very great value as a civilising agency, the teacher's scientific grasp of the uses of the instruments and appliances with which he has stocked his laboratory, and the apparatus itself, give the Maoris an admirable primd facie idea of the possibilities of one side of education. All that is required is considerable increase in the strength of the actual school-work; the general results of which were not very good. The technical school, however, had taken much time ; there had been illness, too, and other drawbacks.