E.—3.

Instruction in elementary practical agriculture is also afforded in nearly all the boys' schools; and at Te Aute especially, where there is plenty of ground available for the work, there has been considerable progress. We hope in this case to see further expansion in this important subject, and trust that the authorities will provide for instruction in dairying as soon as possible, thus further enhancing the value of the institution. We feel that pupils now leave at the completion of their term much better equipped than formerly for the battle of life. Further, they evince the desire to work, and we have many applications for certificates of competency and proficiency from boys who are seeking employment. A number have succeeded in passing the Civil Service Junior Examination, subsequently obtaining cadetships in some branch or other of the Government Service. From inquiries made occasionally, we learn that they give satisfaction in the performance of their duties, and it is interesting as well as gratifying to note that several have attended technical schools in their spare evenings with the view of continuing their studies. At the same time we think that the number of suitable openings in the Public Service for the most promising Maori boys is comparatively limited, and we should much prefer to see them choosing other vocations than that of clerks. The girls, too, show themselves to be very anxious to obtain employment. In their case the field is more limited, for, like the European girl, they do not seem much inclined to enter domestic service, though, under favourable conditions, they prove themselves to be very efficient and satisfactory in that capacity. For obvious reasons it would be unwise for them to take up such occupations as tailoring, dressmaking, &c, in large centres, though we know of cases where they have done this successfully. Positions as nurses or as teachers are available to only a few, and there is no other course open to the majority than to return to their homes, where, in spite of the many drawbacks and disabilities, the knowledge they possess must have some uplifting influence among their people. While discussing the subject of secondary education for Maoris we have to record that the Tuhoe Maoris, through their chief, Numia Kereru, of Ruatoki, recently transferred to the Crown a block of land containing 1,000 acres as a reserve for secondary Native-school purposes. Scholarships. One hundred and fifty free places, each of the value of £20 and tenable for two years, are available for Maori boys and girls. Of these, 103 were current at the end of the year 1912, ninety-two being held by pupils from Native schools, and eleven by scholars from various public schools. The time has now arrived when a standard of attainment higher than that prescribed in the early days of Native schools should be demanded, and we suggest that a certificate of competency in Standard V should be the minimum qualification. As a matter of fact, at the present time the majority of the applicants for free places have at least this qualification, many of them indeed having a certificate of proficiency or of competency in Standard VI. Senior Free Places or industrial scholarships are available to those who have obtained a certificate of proficiency and have also received not less than one year's training in some branch of technical work. This arrangement enables promising Maori boys who have shown special aptitude to learn some mechanical trade, or some branch of farming, while it also provides means for training Maori girls to be nurses. At the end of the year there were nine boys apprenticed to various trades — e.g., carpentry, blacksmithing—while one boy held an agricultural scholarship. We consider that the results that have followed this scheme have been most satisfactory. The boys have in nearly every case fully justified their selection, and they have given every satisfaction to their employers. Six Maori girls held positions as probationers on the staff of various hospitals during the course of the year, of whom one —Nurse Ellen Taare —passed the examination qualifying her for registration as a nurse. There were also three girls attached to various hospitals as day pupils, with the view to their proving their fitness for training as probationers when vacancies arise. The thanks of the Department are due to the officials of the Health Department for their hearty co-operation and assistance in connexion with the scheme for training Maori girls as nurses. Without their aid it would not have been possible to find so many openings for Maori nurses. We much regret to say that Nurse Tiramate Paraone, who had formerly held a nursing scholarship at Napier Hospital, and was on the staff of the Gisborne Hospital, died there towards the end of the year. This is tha second instance where one of our Maori trainees has contracted a fatal illness in the performance of her duty. Te Makarini and Butter Scholarships. —Examination for these scholarships, founded out of private bequests for the purpose, was conducted as usual by the Department towards the end of the year. For the senior Te Makarini Scholarships there were twenty candidates; for the junior, five. The work of the candidates generally showed a steady advance in quality, particularly in arithmetic, which was distinctly creditable. The work of the candidates for the junior scholarship was very fair, except perhaps in English, which was only moderate in quality, the composition being poor. The paper on health was intelligently treated by most of the candidates. The senior scholarship was awarded to Te Rua Ngata, of St. Stephen's Boys' School, Parnell, who gained 674 marks, or 67"4 per cent., and the junior scholarship to Henare Tangaere, of Rangitukia Native School, who obtained 595 marks. Of the other senior candidates, Makarini T. Ngata, of Te Aute College, and, of the juniors, John Greaves, of Parapara Native School, deserve honourable mention for the position they obtained. Three or four of the candidates presented did not satisfy the condition as to age, and we have therefore to take this opportunity of reminding teachers that the age-limit was reduced some years ago, making: the junior scholarship open to boys not over the age of fourteen, instoad of fifteen as formerly.

10