E.—3

4

Classification of Pupils. Tables H6, H6a, and H6b give full information as to the races and classification of pupils on the rolls of the Native schools. As will be seen, 87 per cent, were Maoris speaking Maori in their homes, I*9 per cent, were Maoris speaking English in their homes, and 11-1 per cent, were Europeans. A reference to Table H8 will show the classification of pupils, grouped according to ages, standards, and races. The following is a summary : — Maoris. Europeans. Totals. TlMl Class P.. .. .. .. 1,980 173 2,153 46-3 Standard I .. .. .. 576 66 642 13-8 Standard II .. .. .. 482 63 545 11-9 Standard 111 .. .. .. 452 52 504 10-8 Standard IV .. .. .. 307 62 369 7-7 Standard V .. .. .. 197 54 251 5-6 Standard VI .. .. .. 117 33 150 3-2 Standard VII .. .. 21 12 33 0-7 Secondary Education. From the tables it will be seen that there were 419 children receiving secondary education. Of this number, 108 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 H2 and H3 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 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 30 Satisfactory to good .. . . .. .. .. .. '.. 64 Inferior to weak .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 Three schools were not inspected, one of them having begun operations after the visit to the district had taken place, and two having been closed temporarily, owing to the outbreak of smallpox. Staffs and Salaries. The staffs of the village schools as in December, 1913, included 86 masters, 21 mistresses in charge, 122 assistants, and 4 sewing-teachers. The average salaries of head teachers was £171 17s. 7d. —males £178 7s. and females £145 Is. sd. The average salary of assistants was £52 14s. 7d. Lodging-allowances at the rate of £30 per annum were paid to 39 assistants. Expenditure. A reference to Table H9 will show that the total net expenditure on Native schools during the year ended the 31st March, 1914, was £44,722 10s. 9d., included in which amount is a sum of £2,534, paid out of revenue from endowment reserves. The increase in the expenditure as compared with that of the previous year was £3,652.