E.—3

4

Classification of Pupils. Tables H 6, H 6a, and H 6b give full information as to the races and classification of pupils on the rolls of the Native schools. As will be seen, 86-7 per cent, were Maoris speaking Maori in their homes, 2-3 per cent, were Maoris speakingEnglish in their homes, and 11 per cent, were Europeans. A reference to Table H 8 will show the classification of pupils, grouped according to ages, standards, and races. The following is a summary :— Maoris. Europeans. Totals. "' Class P.. .. .. .. 2.003 180 2. 102 16-7 Standard I .. .. .. .. 549 75 624 13-3 Standard II .. .. .. .. 512 50 562 12-0 Standard 111.. .. .. ..434 f>2 196 10-6 Standardly.. .. .. ..300 58 358 7-6 Standard V .. .. .. ..211 -14 255 5-4 Standard VI.. .. .. .. 121 30 151 3-2 Standard VII .. .. .. 44 12 56 1-2 Secondary Education. From the tables it will be seen that there were 369 children receiving secondary education. Of this number, 103 were holders of free places provided by the Government. Information at the Department's disposal goes to show that there is on the part of the Maoris an increasing appreciation of vocational training, and the secondary schools are making fuller provision for it. Detailed information in respect to Maori children receiving higher education will be found in Tables H 2 and H 3 of the Appendix. Results of Inspection. The report of the Inspectors of Native Schools indicates that the classification of village schools, according to the degree of efficiency recorded at the annual visit, is as follows : — Number of Schools. Very good to excellent . . .. .. .. . . . . 26 Satisfactory to good .. .. .. .. .. .. 69 Inferior to weak . . . . . . . . . . .. ..10 Three schools were not inspected, two of them having begun operations after the visit to the district had taken place, and one having been closed temporarily owing to an epidemic of sickness. Staffs and Salaries. As shown in Table H 1, the staffs of the village schools included 86 masters, 22 mistresses in charge, 126 assistants, and 2 sewing-teachers. The total amount paid in salaries during the year was £25,656 4s. lid. According to the rate paid in December, 1912, the average salary of the head teachers was £171 Is. 7d.—Males, £176 6s. 6d. ; and females, £150 11s. 7d. The average salary of assistants was £50 Bs. 9d. Lodging-allowances at the rate of £30 per annum were paid to 42 assistants. Expenditure. A reference to Table H 9 will show that the total net expenditure on Native schools during the year ended 31st December, 1912, was £39,805 7s. 6d., included in which amount is a sum of £2,080 paid out of revenues from endowment reserves. The increase in the net expenditure for the year is £3,923 18s. 2d. Of this increase, teachers' salaries absorbed £1,216 16s. lid., while new buildings and additions accounted for £2,205 15s. 7d.