G.—s.

46

[r. HOPERE.

time there has been no school whatever on these lands. They are entirely covered now with blackberry, and for many years we asked the Bishop (Cowie) to return the land to us. In reply to our request, we were told that these lands were to supply funds for the maintenance of St. Stephen's, and he asked us to send our children there. But our minds were not satisfied with that, because we wish our girl children also educated with the boys, which could not be done at St. Stephen's ; therefore we wanted the school on the land. Now, we think if they cannot establish the schools on the land let the land be returned to us ; then we could perhaps lease the land and get money to send our children to the English schools. There is a girls' school in Auckland, and we have made application for admission for our girls to that school, and have been told we should have to pay £20 per pupil—that is, girls who have not passed a certain standard ; we are not asked to pay for girls who have passed that standard. That being the case, we are enabled to make use of the school. Our earnest wish is that a school should be established on the very land we handed over, and if they will not grant us that concession we ask that the land be returned to us. In reference to Taupiri, there was a school there, and when the school ceased the land was returned to the Maoris. It was only lent for the Church Mission, and when the school ceased the Natives claimed it in the Native Land Court, and those who proved their claims got the land (1890). 1. The school was removed from Taupiri ?—Yes ; the school at Taupiri was for girls and at Hopuhopu for boys ; they were kept separate. 2. It was only lent ?—They intended to give it wholly to the Church Missionary Society, but it was never done ; they never asked for a title. 3. Mr. Quick.] Is there any Government school for Maoris now in this part of the country ?— There are Government schools, but they are distant from Maori settlements. 4. Mr. Wardell.] Which is the nearest to the Native population at Hopuhopu ?—About half a mile from where the Maoris are numerous. 5. Mr. Quick.] What is to prevent the children being taught there, primary education, and then going to Victoria School and St. Stephen's ? —The children say they are afraid of the European children—that they beat them. In regard to the Huntly School, the Maori children get beaten by the European children, and they will not attend the school. 6. The Chairman.] How many Native children are likely to be able to go tothe school, if there were no such feeling ?—lf circumstances were different, probably about one hundred children would attend these schools. 7. Mr. Wardell.] Do any attend at the present ti.:ie ? —A good many do ; in my locality about twenty, but a large number do not, being afraid of the European children. 8. The Chairman.] Do you really mean afraid, or have they an indisposition to mix with them ? —1 think it is really a disinclination to go, and they make the excuse of being afraid of the English. But if my children will not go I thrash them and make them. 9. Mr. Wardell.] Would this disinclination exist if there were a purely Native school ? —That is rather difficult to answer. 10. The grant as given by Sir G. Grey says these schools are to be used for the education of children of all races : have you any reason to believe that is different from what the Maoris intended in giving the land ? —Yes, it is different from what they intended, and probably the alteration was made after the land was given. I speak from hearsay—from my parents, who told me the land was given for the Maoris only. 11. Mr. Quick.] Do your children go to the Board school ?—Yes, as there is no other school on these lands —two boys and two girls. The eldest has passed into the Fourth Standard. 12. And when she has passed that standard she can go to Victoria School ?—Yes, that is so ; but I wish my younger children to go there also. 13. Mr. Wardell.] Do you think your children would reach the Fourth Standard in a school which is purely a Maori school earlier than in a State school ?—ln regard to my own children, I should say they would pass the Fourth Standard quicker in a Government school. 14. Do you think the interests of the Natives would be most advanced by a mixed school or by a purely Native school ?—From the point of view of the wealthier of the Native race, I think schools for the separate races would be the best. In the interests of the Maori race I should prefer an unmixed or wholly Maori school. That was the way I was educated—in a purely Native school. 15. Mr. Quick.] What do you mean by the " interests " of the Maoris —the educational interests, or what ? —Firstly, the children would all attend the school, and they would be enthusiastic about it, and would attend to the instructions of their masters. That was the attitude of the Maori children in the old days. We paid great heed to our masters, and obeyed them ; whereas in European schools the children would not have the same encouragement. 16. You said your children would get on better in a European school than if it were a Maori school : do you want to alter that opinion ?—That is because I live as a European. But what I now say is in reference to my people who are not in the same position. When I said the children are afraid of the European children I was referring to the children of my tribe. 17. Is there any difference between your tribe and any other tribe ?—The reason is that I live with the Europeans. 18. Is your husband a European ?—He is a half-caste ; but we live as Europeans. 19. Are there any purely Native Government schools in this district ?—There is one a little below Huntly ; I think about a hundred go to it. It is a boys' and girls' school. 20. Do the children go there by train ?—No ; it is only the children on the same side, the Rakaumanga, who attend the school. There is no road-bridge over the river ; they use boats and canoes. 21. Mr. Hutana.] Do you represent your people in reference to these two grants ?—-Yes ; but a great many hapus gave the land ; I only appear for mine.