E.—a

Native village schools and fifteen by pupils from various pubiic schools. The tenure of these free places is subject to the condition that the syllabus of work followed in the particular schools attended by the holders is in conformity with the requirements of the Department. Industrial scholarships, or senior free places, are available for boys who have obtained a certificate of proficiency and have undergone not less than one year's course in some branch of industrial training, such as woodwork. Maori boys who show special aptitude are thus given an opportunity to learn some mechanical trade or some branch of farming. At the end of 1915 only one such industrial scholarship was current. The senior free places offered to Maori girls take Ihe form of nursing scholarships. Considerable difficulty is experienced in securing candidates who satisfy all the conditions required. At present there is one nursing scholar or pupil-nurse, and one scholar who, having completed her primary course, is a probationer on the hospital staff. During the year two pupil-nurses discontinued their training, and oue nurse passed the examination qualifying her for registration. Three ex-scholarship holders have been employed by the Health Department in work amongst the Maoris, and good reports have been received of their work. In connection with the nursing-scholarship scheme, the co-operation of the Health Department has been most helpful. Te Makarini and Buller Scholarships. —The usual examinations for these scholarships, which were founded out of private bequests for the purpose, were conducted by the Department towards the end of the year. One Senior Makarini Scholarship and one Junior Makarini Scholarship were offered by the trustees for competition. For the first time for many years no junior candidates offered themselves for examination. For the senior examination there were nine candidates—six boys from Te Ante College, Hawke's Bay, and three boys'from St. Stephen's School, Auckland. The work of the candidates, considering the difficulty of the papers set, was generally very creditable. The highest marks were gained by Joseph Karauria Tararua, of Te Ante College, a former junior-scholarship holder, who obtained 64*5 per cent, of the possible marks. For the Buller Scholarship Examination six candidates presented themselves. In the examination the successful candidate, who gained 62*6 per cent, of the possible marks, was the candidate who stood highest on the list in the Makarini Scholarship Examination. Under the circumstances the trustees decided to award the Makarini Scholarship for one year to Graham Latimer, of St. Stephen's Hoys' School, Auckland, who gained second place in the examination for that scholarship, and the Buller Scholarship was awarded to Joseph Karauria Tararua, Cook Island*. The initial steps for the establishment of the Native-school system of education in the Cook Islands were undertakes by the Education Department in 1914, ami during the past year schools were established at Arorangi and Takitumu, Rarotonga, and also at Araura, Aitutaki, the roll numbers at the end of the year being 144, 182, and 281 respectively. The results have so far been entirely satisfactory. In accordance with the provisions of the Cook Islands Act, 1915, the control of education in the Cook Islands will now devolve on the Cook Islands Administration, and the new arrangement will come into force early in 1916. Transfer of Mr, W. W. Bird, late Senior Inspector of Native Schools. In the early part of the current year Mr. W. W. Bird, M.A., who for upwards of fifteen years was closely identified with Native schools and their working, was appointed to the position of Senior Inspector of Schools in the Hawke's Bay Education District. Under his control and guidance the Native-school system showed marked development : upwards of forty-five schools came into being, and, generally, distinct progress was made in efficiency. Consequent upon this new appointment some important changes were effected in connection with the working of Native schools. In addition to the duties devolving upon him as Senior Inspector of Schools in the Hawke's Bay District, Mr. Bird will have under his immediate supervision the Native schools situated within the boundaries of that district. The examination and inspection of the remaining Native schools throughout the Dominion will be continued as heretofore, except that in crises where necessary the services of the departmental public-school Inspectors will be enlisted. Conclusion. In reviewing the past year's work it is felt that steady progress in efficiency is being made. The teachers generally show ready response to suggestions made and a pleasing desire to improve the efficiency of their schools. Their duties are carried out with enthusiasm and devotion, and their efforts to promote the welfare of the people amongst whom they are placed entitle them to much credit. Jno. Porteous, The Director of Education. . Inspector of Native Schools.

No. 3. EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORTS OF THE INSPECTORS OF SCHOOLS ON THE EDUCATION OF MAORIS ATTENDING PUBLTO SCHOOLS. Auckland. The great majority of these pupils are found in the preparatory and lower-standard classes; some work their way up into S4 and a few reach S5; it is exceptional to find a Maori pupil in Rfi.

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