E.—l.

23. NATIVE SCHOOLS. At the end of 1934 the Department directly controlled and maintained 138 Native schools for the primary education of Maori children in districts where the Maori Race predominates. The following table shows the number of schools, with the enrolment, as at the Ist July, 1933, and Ist July, 1934

European children to the number of 964 were in attendance at Native schools at Ist July, 1934, and are included in the above figures. If these be deducted, the total enrolment of Native children in all primary schools at Ist July becomes 15,943, compared with 15,585 in 1933. The average attendance at Native schools was maintained at a creditably high percentage, 904 per cent, of the average weekly roll. Boarding schools for the secondary education of the Maoris have been established by religious denominations, and the Government provides a number of scholarships tenable at these schools, which are inspected by the Department's officers. There were ten schools at the end of last year with an enrolment of 333 Maori pupils, of whom 121 held Government scholarships. The Maori child who has obtained a proficiency certificate is also entitled to the usual facilities for secondary education provided at a post-primary school. In addition, one Maori boy held a scholarship at Victoria University College, taking a course in arts, and three Maoris held Agricultural Scholarships, one being tenable at St. Stephen's College and two at Wesley College. 24. REGISTERED PRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. The following table summarizes the returns furnished by registered private primary schools with respect to the year 1934

Table S.

The number of schools at the end of the previous year was 309, and the total enrolment 26,428. There has been a decrease of 2 in the number of registered private primary schools when compared with the number at the end of 1933.

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1933. 1934. " J j Schools. Roll. Schools. Roll. Native village schools .. .. .. 137 7,374 138 7,504 Mission schools (primary) .. .. 11 527 11 549 Public schools with Native children enrolled 829 8,616 841 8,854 Totals .. .. .. .. 977 16,517 990 16,907

Undenomi- Catholic Other national Church Church Total. Schools. Schools. Schools. Number of schools .. .. .. 31 221 55 307 Roll at December— Boys .. .. .. 311 11,099 1,352 12,762 Girls .. .. .. •• 571 11,804 1,499 13,-874 Total .... .. .. 882 22,903 2,851 26,636 ! . ; Average attendance .. ... 719 20,173 ; 2,493 23,385 Teachers (inclusive of head teachers) — Men .. .. .. .. .. 8 40 50 98 Women .. .. .. .. 64 719 108 891 Total .. .. .. .. 72 759 158 989