E.—l

have qualified in term"! of the regulations. Tiere were 421 pupUs on the rolls of these schools at the end of 1915, of which number forty boys and fifty-two girls held free places. The standard of the Public Service Entrance Examination represents the limit !of the curriculum of the schools, and the results obtained compare very favourably with many of the district high schools of the Dominion. Attention is given more especially, however, to the industrial and domestic branches of education, the aim being to equip the Maori children for the work in life for which they are best suited. Senior free places for boys take the form of industrial scholarships, which enable the holders to be apprenticed to suitable trades. There was only one such scholarship current in 1915. Senior free places for girls take the form of nursingscholarships. There was only one of these scholarships in operation in 1915. In addition to the Maori children mentioned as receiving secondary education at special institutions, seven others held free places at European secondary schools. The total number of Maoris receiving secondary education in 1915 was therefore 428. Staffs and Salaries. The staffs of the village schools in December, 1915, included eighty-one masters, thirty-three mistresses, and 130 assistants. The average salary of masters was £189 16s. 2d., of mistresses £150 15s. 2d., and of both combined £179 lis. The corresponding figures for the previous year were £180 os. 9d., £144 3s. Bd., and £171 10s. Ild. respectively. The average salary of assistants in 1915 was £74 os. Bd., as compared with £66 13s. Id. for the previous year. The increases in the average salaries are due to the improved scale of salaries that came into force in 1915. The total amount expended on. teachers' salaries and allowances for the year ended the 31st March, 1916, was £31,019, the corresponding figure for the previous year being £29,010. Expenditure. Reference to Table H9 in E.-3 will show that the total net expenditure on Native schools during the year ended the 31st March, 1916, was £40,033, included in which amount is a sum of £1,723 paid out of revenue from the National Endowment reserves' revenue and £750»from the Tauranea Educational Endowments .Sea . o reserves. The chief items of expenditure are teachers'' salaries and house allowances, £31,019 ; new buildings and additions, £2,685 ; maintenance of buildings, repairs, &c, £955 ; secondary education, £1,988. The income accrued under the Tauranga Educational Endowments Reserve Act, 1896, amounted on the 31st March, 1916, to £201 17s. 7d. Cook Islands. During the year, under a special arrangement with the Education Department, three schools were opened in the Cook Islands —two in Rarotonga and one in Aitutaki ; but under the Cook Islands Act, 1915, the control and maintenance of these now passes to the Cook Islands Government. Chatham Islands. At the end of 1915 there were four schools in operation in the Chatham Islands —viz., those at Te One, Te Roto, Matarakau, and Owenga. The average number of pupils on the roll was 88, the average attendance being 77. The total expenditure on the schools for the year 1915-16 was made up as follows : — Salaries of teachers (including allowances) .. .. . . . . 769 Buildings, repairs, &c. .. .. .. .. . . 93 Scholarships .. .. .. .. . . ~ .. .. 52 Inspection .. . . .. .. 27 Other expenses .. . . .. .. .13 Total .. .. . . . . . . £954 The details as to teachers, attendance, and salaries are given at the end of Appendix E in E.-2.

28