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the drawing, were not unsatisfactory. Some advance in method has taken place, but the children did not seem to have made much progress. In English, for example, the pupils should, with lessons of the kind in use, have made much greater progress than they had made. The best work was seen in the copy-books, which were good, and in the basket-weaving and paper-plaiting, &c. The teacher has now left the service ; to be married. Whakarapa (examined 3rd September, 1902). —There had been improvement in the condition of the buildings and appliances in the interval between this and an earlier visit. A number of young forest trees had been planted on Arbor Day. These will do something to improve the surroundings, which are somewhat inferior -to those of some of the houses in the settlement. Only a low mark could be given for the order. At the second visit it was found that much improvement had been effected in the matter of cleanliness ; also, the children were well dressed. The teacher had had, after a long interval, only eight months of actual teaching time in which to prepare her classes for examination. In this period decidedly good work had been done. However, in English and reading the teacher's ideal had not been set high enough. In these subjects it is difficult for a teacher to aim too high. On the whole, results were fairly good. Motukaraka (examined 20th May, 1902). —The time-table was not perfect. Not nearly enough time is devoted to English, which is really the key to the whole position. Also, too much time (eight hours a week) is devoted to arithmetic for the preparatory class. The results were unusually small; but in estimating the value of the teacher's work in producing such results it should be remembered that he had had to face and overcome most serious difficulty in order to keep work going at all. Since inspection the school has suffered very severely from epidemic fever, which in several cases proved fatal. The history of the school has been a sad one for some time past. The side school at Tapuwae was not reopened at the beginning of the year; there is no intention to reopen it. Mangamuka (inspected and examined Bth and 9th May, 1902). —The garden was in poor order, but illness of the teacher afforded sufficient excuse for shortcomings. There has been improvement in the school tone. The children no longer seem afraid of teachers and visitors. Of the extra subjects drawing is unusually good, but drill receives little attention, and singing none. The master could teach singing well, but his throat is now too weak for this kind of work. During the period elapsed since the previous examination the school had suffered greatly through the illness of, and accidents to, the master. This being understood, the work was satisfactory. Maraeroa (examined 7th May, 1902). —The garden was in very good order and gave the place a very cheerful aspect. The principal fault in the organization was that insufficient time was devoted to the teaching of English. The tone of the school is good; parents and Committee show satisfactory interest, and children are eager to learn. The work is honestly done. The disability of the master through chronic and dangerous illness had rendered it difficult to carry on the school, but the mistress and her daughter managed the work as satisfactorily as the conditions would permit until Mr. Anderson's death, which took place about four months later. Mr. Anderson had been many years in the service, and had done much useful work. He was greatly respected. Whirinaki (examined 12th May, 1902). —The garden and grounds were in fair condition. The time-table contained insufficient provision for English. The school generally appeared to be well in hand at inspection time. Extra work, with the exception of singing, was satisfactory. Great credit is due to Mrs. Smallwood for the capital work that she had done with the seniors in all their ordinary subjects and in hand-work; also to Mrs. Winkelmann for the good progress made by the juniors, of whom she had sole charge. The technical workshop and the workers in it presented a very striking and almost imposing appearance. In view of explanations given, the rather small number of passes secured seemed satisfactory. At the beginning of the current year the master asked to be retired on the ground of unsatisfactory health. This had lasted for a considerable time, and a new master was appointed early in 1903. Waimamaku (examined 4th September, 1902). —The school is a small one, and probably there are not enough children in the district to enable the Committee to make it very much larger. Thoroughly good work was being done, and the school's continuance appeared to be fully justified. The results obtained by examination were decidedly good. The weakest point was the discipline, the order not being very good, and the tone of the Committee and the other Maoris rather apathetic. No doubt there will be improvement later on. Omanaia (examined 13th May, 1902). —Much had been done to remove characteristic Omanaia mud from the neighbourhood of the school. Capital work had been done in the garden too, especially in the way of making the paths permanently neat and tidy. The order, tone, and discipline generally are good. Singing is rather poor. The master gave a careful lesson in arithmetic. The children would have been benefited, however, by careful number lessons, dealing (both) with work in abstract numbers, and with its application to concrete quantities. The results left no room for fault-finding. A very pleasing advance had been made in the speaking and understanding of English. Waima. —It seemed inadvisable to hold the usual examination at Waima. From one cause and another there had been some difficulty in procuring the services of a suitable teacher who would consider Waima a satisfactory school. When the difficulty had been temporarily removed the new teacher was offered a lucrative position elsewhere, and some time passed before another satisfactory appointment could be made. Hence it was thought desirable to defer the examination till 1903. Otaua (examined 14th May, 1902). —The garden looks less inviting than it did formerly ; but the reoccupation of the residence will, no doubt, lead to a general restoration. Too little time is devoted to English. Eight half-hours per week would not be too much. The tone of the school is good. Formerly the prospects of Otaua were not very cheering; but changes in local circumstances, combined with the teacher's progress in her profession, have made it quite reasonable to look forward to having a good school here.

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