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E.—2

Session 11. 1906. NEW ZEALAN I)

EDUCATION: NATIVE SCHOOLS. [In continuation of E.-2, 1905.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. EXTEACT PBOM THE TWENTY-NINTH ANNUAL BEPOET OF THE MINISTEE OF EDUCATION. The number of Maori village schools in operation at the end of 1904 was 100. In 1905 three schools were opened, two were transferred to Education Boards, four were closed, and two were given up by the Department. There were thus ninety-five schools in working order at the end of 1905. The number of children on the rolls of these schools at the 31st December, 1905, was 3,863, as against 3,754 at the end of the preceding year. The number of children is thus increased by 119, while there were five schools fewer in number. The average attendance for the whole year 1905 was 3,428, an increase of 344 on that of the preceding year. The regularity of the attendance has increased from 81 to 84 per cent., which is very little behind the average attendance at the public schools of the colony. This is all the more satisfactory when it is considered that none of the Maori schools are town schools. In addition to the village schools, there are now six mission schools that are usually inspected and examined by the Department, two schools of this kind having been established during the year. There are also six boarding-schools established by the authorities of various Churches in New Zealand; these form the only means available of affording higher education specially for Maori boys and girls. The total number of Native schools open at the end of 1905 was thus 107. European children attending Maori schools are provided for in the matter of higher education by the provisions of the regulations concerning free places in secondary schools, and admission has already been granted to candidates who have gained in Native schools the necessary qualifications. Three new schools—Oruanui and Waitahanui, in Taupo district, and Mangaorongo, in the King country —were opened during the year, the first two with considerable success. There is still some difficulty in procuring candidates who possess the qualifications desirable in the case of Native-school teachers, and, for this reason, the school built at Waimarama, Hawke's Bay, could not be opened until some time had elapsed after its completion. The schools at Papawai and Te Kuiti were, at the request of the people interested, handed over, the former to the Wellington and the latter to the Auckland Board of Education. The school at Te Houhi had to be abandoned owing to the departure of the Maoris consequent upon the resumption of their lands by the legal owner, while Awangararanui, Eaorao, and Pariroa Schools were closed owing to the attendance falling below the number required. The Department has found it necessary to increase the accommodation at several schools, and has before it applications of a promising nature for the establishment of several new schools. Information upon these, as far as it has been ascertained, is given in the Inspector's report. During the year a gratifying advance has been made in the matter of handwork in Native schools. Five new workshops have been established, all of them with the assistance of the Maoris, and at small expense to the Department. A beginning has also been made in the matter of giving instruction in cooking, the utensils being such as are in general use in Maori kaingas. Instruction in practical needlework has also, during the year, been considerably developed, especially in the largest schools. For the higher education of Maori youths there are six Native boarding-schools available — viz., St. Stephen's and Te Aute for boys, and Hukarere, St. Joseph's, Victoria, and Turakjna

I—E. 2,

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