E.—3

Applications for Schools. Applications for the establishment of Native schools were received by the Department from Oturu, Kaitaia ; Te Kopua, Gisborne ; Wailcara, Kaihu ; Kiekie, East Coast; and applications were renewed from Maraenui, Bay of Plenty; Tolcala, East Coast; Parinui, Wanganui River; and Manukau, Herekino. The claims of the people at Maraenui and also at Tokata have been approved, and accordingly (as the preliminary steps to the erection of buildings) arrangements have been made for the survey and acquisition of the sites offered by the people. Inquiries and investigations made regarding Oturu and Manukau indicate that the conditions in these places may be met temporarily by the use of buildings offered by the people for the purposes of a school, and negotiations in this direction are to be undertaken. With regard to Kiekie, Te Kopua, Waikara, and Parinui, investigations are to be made when an Inspector has an opportunity of visiting the respective districts. In response to the request of the Maori people at Mohaka that the public school there be administered as a Native school by the Department, the necessary arrangements have been made with the Hawke's Bay Education Board, and the school will accordingly become a Native school early during the current year. Attendance, etc. (1.) Native Village Schools. The number of pupils on the roll of village schools at the end of the year 1924 was 6,310 ; at the close of 1925, the year under review, it was 6,386, this number representing an increase of seventy-six pupils. The average weekly roll number was 6,366, and the percentage of regularity of attendance was 88-4. Information respecting the attendance of individual schools is supplied in Table H2, the contents of which indicate that of the 128 village schools in operation 114 schools gained 80 per cent, or over of the possible attendances, and of these fifty gained 90 per cent, or over of the possible attendances. The improvement in attendance that has been a feature of the schools for some years past has been maintained. The attendance in the case of about a dozen schools appearing towards the end of the table is very unsatisfactory, and even when all allowance is made for bad weather conditions, for the long distances many of the children have to travel, for bad roads and tracks, the figures would still appear to indicate that teachers had failed in their duty to report cases of irregular attendance to the Department. It is felt, however, that in many instances where the attendance is unsatisfactory the failure of the schools to prove attractive to the pupils and to arouse and maintain their interest is a contributing factor in the poor attendance. In the case of those schools where the attendance must be regarded as unsatisfactory the teachers should be called upon for an explanation. Good-attendance certificates were gained by 857 pupils of Native schools. (2.) Mission Schools. The following mission schools established by different religious bodies are visited by the Inspectors of Native Schools : Putiki, Wanganui; Tokaanu Convent School, Lake Taupo; Matata Convent School, Bay of Plenty; Ranana and Jerusalem Convent Schools, Wanganui River; Whakarapa Convent School, Hokianga ; Tanatana and Mat.ahi, Waimana, Bay of Plenty. The total number of children on the rolls of these schools at the close of the year 1925 was 366, and the average percentage of regularity was 86-8. (3.) Boarding-schools (Secondary Native Schools). There are eleven secondary schools which have been established by religious denominations for the higher education of Maori children, and these schools are also visited by the Inspectors of .Native Schools. There are five schools for boys and a similar number for girls, and one school is a mixed school with boarding-accommodation for boys only. The combined roll number of these schools at the end of the year was 536. The particulars regarding the roll number and attendance of the three classes of schools are summarized in the following table : —

Condition of School Buildings and Grounds. From the point of view of cleanliness and tidiness the condition of the schools generally is distinctly creditable, and in this respect it is rare indeed that an adverse report is necessary. The exceptional cleanliness of the schools is favourably commented upon frequently by visitors. For this state of affairs the pupils and teachers are responsible. As no funds are supplied for school-cleaning purposes, the regular daily sweeping and dusting, as well as the frequent washing of the floors, are done by the pupils under the supervision of the teachers. The only expense involved is in the provision of the necessary equipment; and as the pupils, as a rule, take much pride in keeping

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I " ~ 1 " "" I Schools Number Roll Number ! Average Weekly j Average Percentage of at End of Year. Roll Number. . Attendance, j Regularity. Native village .. .. 128 6,386 6,365-5 5,628-2 88-4 Native mission .. .. 8 366 364-1 315-9 86-8 Native secondary .. .. 11 536 472-5 458-1 96-9 147 7,288 7,202-1 6,402-2 88-8