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lie said that he should enter the attendance from memory, on the priest's return. I reminded him that he had already forgotten how many scholars had been in attendance that morning, and asked Lim whether his memory was likely to be clear in a week's time ? He told me that if 1 doubted bis word, he would take me up stairs, and show me the box in which the register was kept —that is to say, the outside of it. I said I was quite content to take his word for it, that the register was there, but that I should not be much the wiser for a sight of the box. I mention this conversation as a proof that the manager of the School has nO longer the means of furnishing complete returns of attendance for at least that quarter. St, Ann\. I am glad to be able to state, that the result of the inspection of St. Ann's school was much more satisfactory. We took the boy's school by surprise, and proceeded at once to the dormitory, in order to allow no time for setting the room to rights. In it there was not much fault to find. The room is large and airy, with twelve bunks along the walls. Two blankets are allowed to each ; not, however, so clean as they should be. We observed that the fire was made Maori fashion, in the centre of the room. But one of the main objects in a Native boarding school should be to wean the scholars from Maori habits, and to substitute European. This is not the least essential part of the education they ought to receive. It will scarcely be maintained that education consists only ot book learning. We were informed that as soon as the building of the Convent—a short distance from the present establishment—shall be completed, the girls' school will be removed to it, and that the whole of the premises at St. Ann's will then be given up to the boys. The North Shore scholars are then to be brought across; St. Mary's remaining as a farm. The exact result of the examination will be seen by the number of marks allotted; it suffices here to say that it was moderately good. The average attendance 13 fourteen. The register appears to be Kept with some regularity, and I see no reason to doubt its correctness. It was evident, however, upon close examination, that " the transverse lines" of entry, required by the Governor's regulations, had not been made day by day, as in strictness they ought to be; nor, indeed, does this appear to have been done at any of the schools which we were appointed to visit. Registering of absence, and not of attendance, appears to be kept by the managers; the Government return papers being filled up only from time to time. This may come to the same thing in the end, but is not precisely what was required. The girls' school at St. Ann's was, of course, allowed a short notice of our arrival; nor, indeed, could we in any case have been allowed to enter until the airival of the Bishop, the rule being strict in that regard. The management of the girls' school seemed very good, in every respect; a model of neatness and regularity. The observation made upon the Government register on the boys' side of the establishment, applies to this side also; but owing to the strictness of the discipline maintained, there can be no doubt of the regularity of attendance. The Three Kings. We proceeded at once to the dormitories. On the boys' side in fair order. Two blankets and a coverlet are allowed to each bed; we were told, also an under sheet; but that the sheets were away at the wash. The Native monitor's room is quite European in style. The girls' dormitory is in another house, in excellent order. The same fault, however, is still to be found which I observed on a former inspection—the lack of appliances for personal cleanliness. We saw but one small wash-hand basin in the dormitory ; hanging over it, one roll towel. The number of scholars on the books was twenty-seven; four arrivals were expected on the following day. Present on the day of inspection, twenty. The result of the examination moderately good. The Government return of attendance is not made up daily ; but quarterly, from the master's private book, in which absence is recorded. If a scholar sleeps on the premises, he is considered returnable, St. Stephen's. The dormitories art the best that we have seen. Instead of one or two large rooms, there are eleven small ones, remarkably clean, with conveniences for washing in each, Also a room for the Melanesian boys, when on visit. The whole establishment appears to be on a very satisfactory footing, although, as nearly as I can learn, not precisely in accordance with the terms of the trust. But I have not examined the trust deed or grant. Proficiency of the scholars, good upon the whole. We were informed that a few of the best had left a short time before. General Observations, I ask leave to append a few remarks upon the present system of Native education, supplementary to those contained in the report which I was directed to make in 1858. On a general review, anil after allowing for late disturbances, I cannot say that the system has achieved success. A large sum being contributed in aid by Government, the questions arise,—how many are taught for the money ? how much the scholars learn for the money ? and how far they are permanently weaned from Native habits ? The extreme numbers are before the Government in the returns furnished by the managers; the numbers present at examination, in the report made by the Inspectors. It will scarcely be maintained that the expectations from the grant are fulfilled. It is evident that education is exceptional, that it does not reach the masses. The managers of the schools are not to blame for this; on the ccntrary 8

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ON NATIVE SCHOOLS, 1862.