E.—l.

23. NATIVE SCHOOLS. At the end of 1935 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, 1934, and Ist July, 1935 : —

European children to the number of 954 were in attendance at Native schools at Ist July, 1935, 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 16,897, compared with 16,038 in 1934. The average attendance at Native schools was maintained at a creditably high percentage, 90-8 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 373 pupils, of whom 135 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, two Maori boys held University scholarships, one at Victoria University College, and one at Auckland University College, each taking a course in arts, and four Maoris held Agricultural Scholarships, two being tenable at St. Stephen's College, one at Wesley College, and one at Te Aute College. One nursing scholar was in training at Napier Hospital. 24. REGISTERED PRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. The following table summarizes the returns furnished by registered private primary schools with respect to the year 1935 : —

Table S.

The number of schools at the end of the previous year was 307, and the total enrolment 26,636. There has been an increase of 3 in the number of registered private primary schools when compared with the number at the end of 1934.

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1934. 193S. I Schools. Roll. Schools. Roll. Native village schools .. .. .. 138 7,504 138 7,852 Mission schools (primary) .. .. 11 549 11 577 Public schools with Native children enrolled 841 8,949 814 9,422 Totals .. .. .. .. 990 17,002 963 17,851

Undenomi- Catholic Other national Church Church Total. Schools. Schools. Schools. Number of schools .. .. .. 31 222 57 310 Roll at December— Boys .. .. .. .. 409 11,244 1,318 12.971 Girls .. .. .. .. 606 11,768 1,524 13,898 Total .. .. .. .. 1,015 23,012 2,842 26,869 Average attendance .. .. .. 878 20,535 2,517 23,930 Teachers (inclusive of head teachers) — Men .. .. .. .. .. 11 52 46 109 Women .. .. .. .. 58 696 112 866 Total .. .. .. .. 69 748 158 975