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REPORT OF AHURIRI NATIVE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL, 1856. Not having as yet been supplied with the necessary funds for the erection of suitable permanent buildings, I have still been labouring under very great disadvantages in those of a temporary kind. The delay may not, however, in some respects prove an evil, as we are now in a better position to erect permanent buildings, and at a more reasonable rate than formerly. The number of scholars does not at present exceed fifteen, —twelve boys and three girls, for whilst I have received five new boys and three girls, during the year, three of my original number have left school, two of whom were growing into manhood, and returned to their own homes in a creditable way, at the time of marriage. I however expect three or four new boys early in next year. I am happy in being able to report a great improvement in the industry and good conduct of the scholars. Their intellectual improvement is not so great as could be wished, but this I have viewed almost of secondary consideration, when compared with the necessity of breaking them off from the indolent and disorderly habits they have most of them been accustomed to in their Native villages. During the year we have had twenty three and a half acres under crops. 61 Acres wheat and English grass 4 Do. potatoes 13 Do. English grass and clover. Our ploughing would have been extended much further had we not the disadvantage of having no enclosure for the working cattle, in consequence of which they have often strayed away, and the boys have lost much of their time in hunting for them. This evil will, however, be prevented in future by our having provided suitable enclosures. We have completed one hundred rods of four rail fence, and about fifty rods of ditch and bank. Also the main division of a permanent stockyard, the smaller yards of which, together with the milking shed &c, are in progress. The necessary materials for a permanent barn and wool shed, 40 feet by 20, with a 10-foot sheiling, are nearly ready for erection, which building, when completed, will be of great service in many respects. I have during the last few months employed a respectable married European labourer and his son, to look after the ploughing, by which means he can confer a benefit on the Natives generally, in teaching them to cultivate their land in a proper manner, also to look after the stock, milking, &c. There can be no question as to the benefit that such an institution as is here aimed at will confer upon the Natives of the whole district, directly and indirectly, more particularly when it is borne in mind that some of the young men who are with me are sons of some of the principal Chiefs in the District. I have been gratified in seeing the boys show so much interest in the school during the last few months, which I feel assured will increase as the establishment becomes more settled, and affords more attraction than in its present stage. Samuel Williams.

AHURIRI NATIVE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL ACCOUNTS. 1854. £ s. d. £ s. d. A team of working bullocks - - - 80 0 0 Breaking in a bullock - - - - 10 0 81 0 0 Clothing. Nine boys' caps, 11. 2s. 6d. ; ten blue shirts 8/. - - 4 2 6 One pair of trousers, 14s. ; four shirts 10s. - - 14 0 Four blankets, 21. 15s. ; one cap, 4s. - - - 2 19 0 Sundries - - - - 0 15 6 . 9 10 Food. Flour, 21. ; sugar, 65.; sundries, 15s. - - 3 1 0 Two bags of rice, H. 175.; wheat, 31. 12s. 6d. - - 8 9 6 11 10 6