11

E.—3

Buller Scholarship. —This scholarship was founded out of a bequest by the late Sir Walter Buller. It is of the annual value e>f £30, and is temable for one year at To Aute College. The stanelard e>f the examination is somewhat higher than that of the Senior Makarini Examinatiem. There were three candidates, all from St. Stephen's Boys' School. The work done was generally disappointing, and below the standard of former years. The only candidate who did fairly good work was Pekoene Mika, to whom the scholarship was accordingly awarded. Concluding Remarks. The foregoing review of the condition of the Native schools and of the nature of the work accomplished by them woulel be incomplete were no reference made to the, earnestness and devotion to duty shown by the teachers generally. It is recognized by the great majority of them that, while their activities are concerned primarily with the rising generation of Maori children, it is part of their mission—and an important part—to take a live and practical interest in the concerns of the community with which they are each associated, and to promote as far as possible, the welfare and progress of the members e>f it. In very many instances the teachers by their work amongst the people have won the affection and esteem of the Maoris, who, like other people, readily discern and appreciate earnest efforts to help them and do them service. In some cases —fortunately comparatively few —teachers are so evidently unwilling to be troubled out of school hours with the Maori people and their concerns that the people in turn become indifferent about the school and its concerns, and withdraw such help as they might otherwise give to the master. Teachers who feel that they are unable to take genuine interest in. the Maori people and their concerns are clearly out of place in the service. This aspect of Native-school work done by teachers deserves recognition in this place, since the influemce thus exerciseel by them is very important in its effects so far as the improvement and uplifting of the race are concerned. In the early part of the year Mr. G. M. Henderson, M.A., was appointed as an additional Inspector of Native Schools, and with the assistance of his services, the value of which I take this opportunity of acknowledging, the work connected with the inspection and examination of all the Native schools in the North Island was carried out. I have, &c, John Porteous, Senior Inspector e>f Native Schools. The Director of Education, Wellington.