E.— 2

8

Papamoa (examined Bth August, 1901). —Results were fairly good in the lower part of the school; not so good in the higher standards. The improvement that had begun last year had not been carried so far as one might have expected. Abundant, confident, and correct English is the chief want of the school. Maize-picking and the Royal visit had proved to be hindrances. Te Matai (examined 9th August, 1901). —The children are evidently fond of their teacher, but in their irregular attendance they reflect the indifference of their parents. Considering that there has been a change of teachers, and that the school remained closed for a long time, the results were as good as could be expected; in some respects even better. Matata (examined 28th August, 1901). —Attendance was irregular and the school tone had become languid. The results were poor; in the midst of very disheartening circumstances it could hardly be otherwise. Yet it was plain that the mistress had worked well in spite of insuperable external difficulties. The school had to be closed in October. Otamauru (examined 27th August, 1901). —Examination results were very satisfactory in view of the irregularity of the attendance, and pleasing in any case. It is probable that the Maoris of the district could without much trouble secure great improvement in the attendance. It may be, however, that the school is going through one of those crises familiar to Maori-school teachers, in which older children are leaving faster than usual, and younger ones are not yet ready. Poroporo (examined 22nd August, 1901). —The children are for the most part young, and yet there are abundant indications of good work done. The master and rfiistress have maintained a successful school here for many years, in a place that their predecessors found too hard to deal with; and there is no reason to suppose that they could not be successful for many a year, were the place not unsuited to the master's state of health. Work was generally satisfactory. Eastern Bay of Plenty. Wai-o-weka (examined 4th June, 1901). —As had been the case at most of the schools seen on the East Coast and the Eastern Bay of Plenty journey, the condition of Wai-o-weka was found to be a very flourishing one. The teachers here had undoubtedly " pulled the school out of the fire," and caused it to be prized and respected by all the Maoris who live within the sphere of its influence. For the first time for years there was a large attendance of parents. Omarumutu (examined 3rd June, 1901). —Some little weakness appeared in reading, and less in arithmetic, but on the whole the work was very good. High passes were numerous, poor ones few. There will probably be a strong school here for many a year to use the fine new building. At present, at all events, the number of children is rapidly increasing, and there is marked improvement in the health and physique of the people, and especially of the children that belong to the settlements that support the school. Torere (examined Ist June, 1901). —According to the elder Maoris' remarks the master and the Committee are now in peace and amity. The results show that improvement in the working of the school has been taking place, but also that there is still room for a great advance in English and arithmetic. The teacher, however, seems to have lately mastered some principles that can hardly fail to be useful to him in the near future. Omaio (examined 31st May, 1901). —The work here seemed very unequal; the unprecedented difficulties connected with the Motu disaster unhinged the Omaio School for months, and rendered satisfactory work in it quite impossible. Still there were what may be called veins of really capital result running through the very diversified examination work, and these seemed to give good promise of future excellence. The children of this district have fine ability, and with a reasonable amount of prudence, industry, and judgment on the part of teachers, this school should always stand high on the list. Te Kaha (examined 30th May, 1901). —The school-room is exceedingly pretty. Some weakness appeared here in the extra subjects, some also in the Second Standard, where the junction between the old and the new, between the work of the present and the former teachers, is to be found ; but on the whole the work may fairly be called very good. The Maoris here are very prosperous; they have good land, and by hard work make the most of it. Raukokore (examined 29th May, 1901). —Needlework is very decidedly weak here. So also are geography and English. Somewhat closer attention to Code requirements—not, of course, slavish adherence —would make the school give a better as well as more tangible return for the labour expended upon it. The work of the juniors continues good. Pronunciation requires constant attention.' East Coast. Wharekahika (examined 27th May, 1901). —Results were pleasing; they were in truth the outcome of the labours of three earnest and capable men who, working at Wharekahika in rather quick succession, have made it one of the very best little Maori schools in the colony. It is fair to add that they have had the assistance of an excellent Committee. The Wharekahika children have not yet learnt how to misbehave. Te Araroa (examined 25th May, 1901). —The work generally was satisfactorily strong; in the branches included under the head "writing," very strong. The English, too, was meritorious so far as it went, and the English speaking was decidedly better than that of many more favourably situated schools. The slate arithmetic was, on the whole, the weakest part of the work. The extra subjects are remarkaby well dealt with here. Rongitukia (examined 22nd May, 1901). —Miss Porter, for many years principal assistant here, and a very important helper in the work of making this school successful, has left us, and the school has been reorganized —partly on technical lines. At examination time the school was just taking up its altered position ; but it showed extremely good work all the same. When weakness is found here it is always caused through external limiting circumstances, the work