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exceedingly good; teachers and pupils thoroughly understand each other, and there is good honest work done in school. Of the extra subjects, singing was much the best, and well deserved the highest mark. Drawing and drill were also well up to the mark. Kindergarten and hand work are well done. Paper-work showing original designs, cane-work, and cardboard-work are all very satisfactorily treated. Monitors are made good use of, and, though perhaps it is not always safe to intrust important lessons to them, the amount of attention secured by them, here speaks well for the discipline of the school. The results of the examination were very good throughout, and showed that sound instruction had been given. The Neck (examined 26th November, 1903: Mr. Bird). —The new teachers had already established cordial relations with the people, and had entered with good spirit into the work. Plenty of occupation provided for the juniors would prevent their talking needlessly. Mr. Burns made proper use of mental arithmetic as a preparation for harder work. Children should generally be trained to answer individually. The master had not quite become accustomed to the needs of the school, and the results were somewhat weak. He has, however, plenty of good-will, and next year will doubtless produce good results. Ruapuke (examined 24th November, 1903: Mr. Bird). —Children, though few in numbers, had attended well. The children have now acquired pleasant ways, free from any objectionable manner. The people still take a keen interest in the education of their children, and the school tone is satisfactory. Some of the children still spit on their slates, an objectionable method of cleaning them; in other respects they were clean and tidy. Of course, the children here speak English rather than Maori. Indeed, a child spoken to in Maori by his parent generally replies in English. Yet English lessons of a useful type are included in the course of instruction. A little handwork had been done. In singing, unfortunately, the tunes were not quite according to the music in the book. The examination results were very good, and show that the teaching had been effective. Marks gained at the Native Village Schools. The results of inspection, as set forth in Table No. 7, show that nine schools reached the high standard of over 90 per cent. —viz., Pamoana, under Mr. C. W. Grace; Waimana, under Mr. C. H. Brown; Tokaanu, under Mr. A. G. Hamilton; Whakarewarewa, under Rev. H. Burgoyne; Waioweka, under Miss Levert; Paparore, under Mr. E. Greensmith; Waikouaiti, under Mr. H. W. Blathwayt; Turanganui, under Mr. C. C. Hubbard; and Te Kaha, under Rev. D. T. Hailey. The schools (fifteen) that came next in rank, having gained over 80 and less than 90 per cent., were Ranana, Rangitukia, Whangape, Tokornaru Bay, Whakarara, Whareponga, Te Teko, Oromahoe, Karioi, Ruapuke, Poroti, Okoha, Pukepoti, Kenana, Te Waotu. The following schools gained over 70 and less than 80 per cent. : Raorao, Karetu, Te Kao, Te Kuiti, Paeroa, Arowhenua, Mangamaunu, Tikitiki, Maraeora, Omaio, Whangaruru, Otaua, Tuparoa, Taumarere, Ruatoki, Te Araroa, Te Pupuke, Matata, Waiomatatini, Whangarae, Te Haroto, Whangara, Pariroa, Te Kerepehi, Kaiapoi, Rangiawhia, Parawera, Rapaki, Hiruharama, Touwai, Poroporo, Kaikohe, Rakaumanga, Te Ahuahu, and Torere. Thirty-four schools made between 50 and 70 per cent., and only four less than 50 per cent. Many circumstances may combine to effect the percentage of a school, and this year was not an exception to the general rule; but the increased efficiency indicated by the figures given above should be a source of considerable satisfaction, in so far as it indicates that the higher aims of the Department are being attained by a greater number of schools year by year. Boarding-schools, etc. Under this heading is to be found a summary of the results of the examination and inspection of the five Native boarding-schools held during the course of the year 1903. There are also given some remarks on the Church of England mission schools at Putiki, Otaki, and Waerenga-a-hika, and on the convent Native school at Matata. An account is also given of the annual examination for the Te Makarini Scholarships, which are provided from a fund established by Mr. R. D. Douglas McLean, in accordance with the views and wishes of the late Sir Donald McLean, and in remembrance of him. Considerable interest has always been shown by both the teachers and Maori people in these scholarships, and the successful competitor is held to have brought great honour to his school. The scholarships are tenable at Te Aute College, and the Te Makarini scholars who have entered and passed through that institution have shown themselves to be possessed of ability of no mean order. St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Girls' School, Napier. —The school was inspected on the 2nd April, 1903, by Mr. Pope. The number present was sixty. No important changes had been made in the garden and grounds. The time-table arrangements are given in considerable detail, and are scientific and satisfactory. The methods of teaching were thoroughly well devised, and were very effective. Kindergarten and handwork form an important branch of the school work. All of the work was very satisfactory; some of the modelling in plasticine may be described as excellent. The order in school leaves nothing to be desired, and the tone could hardly be better; all the girls seemed anxious to do their best for the school. Much progress had been made with the extra subjects. The singing of the little ones, including part-singing, was very good, while the seniors had also greatly improved. Drawing was very well done, and the drill —club drill, scarf drill, and marching —was very pleasing. Year by year some advance or improvement has had to be recorded, and this year has been very far from being an exception to the rule. The school was examined by the Inspector and Assistant Inspector of Native Schools on the 11th and 12th December, 1903. Of Government pupils, four passed in Standard VI., eight in Standard V. four in Standard IV., four in Standard 111., three in Standard 11., and eight in Standard I. Of the private pupils, two passed in Standard VII., two in Standard VI., one in Standard V. eleven in Standard IV., three in Standard 111., one in Standard 11. The work done in the preparatory class was also very satisfactory. Throughout the whole school there was but one failure. The