taking Teacher. Great improvement is still being made in all the various branches of learning taught, particularly in Arithmetic, in Copy Writing, and in English Composition. No less than six of these Scholars, or half of the School, (two of whom were young girls under 10 years of age,) gained Special prizes for working the long prize Sum. In fact, one of the boys, a lad of only 9 years of age, worked that sum two different ways in extenso. And four of them also gained Special prizes for writing the prize Essay. Not a little of their steady advancement is to be placed to their having 6 hours of teaching (instead of 5) on five days of the week, with an extra half day Saturdays.

19. Patangata Mixed School.
    Master, Mr. A. P. Tennent, assisted by Mrs. Tennent. On Roll, Boys 8, Girls 5, total 13 ; average attendance 12. Inspected, May 17, 1876.
    This School is entirely new, having been built and opened in October last. Its number on the Roll and attendance was much greater last quarter. Very fair improvement has already been made in the various branches taught ; and I quite expect more under the present Teacher, who is experienced and able, and attentive to his duties.

20. Porangahau Mixed School.
    Mistress, Mrs. Elizabeth Birnie. On Roll, Boys 13, Girls 10, total 23 ; average attendance 17. Inspected, April 14, 17, 1876.
    I was much struck with the advance made by the Scholars generally of this School in the various branches of learning taught therein, since my last visit a year ago. The Teacher is both able and industrious, and strives hard to bring the children on,---in a place where there are more drawbacks than in most other Country places. Here, too, the School-room is now much too small.

21. Norsewood (Scandinavian) Mixed School.
    Mistress, Miss Elizabeth Ross. On Roll, Boys 31, Girls 22, total 53 ; average attendance 33. Inspected, April 20, 1876.
    This School has both increased in number and advanced in learning since the appointment of the present Teacher, a little more than a year ago. A great improvement is perceptible among the Scandinavian Scholars, who are both orderly, and diligent. The Young Teacher, too, is painstaking attentive and kind, and carries her flock along with her. This School is now flourishing.

22. Danneverk (Scandinavian) Mixed School.
    Mistress, Mrs. M. Rickard. On Roll, Boys 11, Girls 10 ; average attendance 17. Inspected, March 30, 1876.
    This School made good improvement under its late Teacher (Miss Covney), who resigned in March,---although it had fallen off in number. The present Teacher only entered on her new duty in the middle of April ; it is hoped, that it will not be behind its twin-sister at Norsewood.

23. Hampden Mixed School.
    Master, Mr. A. McLeod. On Roll, Boys 15, Girls 20, total 35 ; average attendance 27. Inspected, April 9 and 11, 1876.
    This School has, also, increased in number and advanced in learning under its present Master, who only entered on his duties in November last. Under its former Master the School made but slow progress, and fell off in number; he, however, resigned in Sept., 1875. I quite look for great improvement in this School under its new Master, who is experienced, able and industrious. The Scholars are at present cramped for room, but a larger building is very nearly ready.

24. West Ruataniwha, or Te Ongaonga, School.
    Master, Mr. C. Mackey. On Roll, Boys 3, Girls 5, total 8 ; average attendance 8. Inspected, May 10, 1876.
    This little isolated School-house, away in the "Bush" by far the most primitive and peculiar of any in the Province, was erected last year by the neighbouring Settlers centrally among them for the benefit of their children. Their number at present is very small (less than it was last year), but they are regular in their attendance; notwithstanding all, including their attentive and painstaking Teacher, have some distance to walk without roads or pathways through the "Bush" to get to it! And although but a half-time (or Morning) School, the children have learnt to read write and cypher, and are getting-on. More small Schools on a similar principle (Half-time and Half-pay), might be beneficially opened in several parts of this Province, among its scattered and far-off Settlers.

25. Petane Mixed School.
    Mistress, Miss R. A. McKain. On Roll, Boys 1, Girls 4, total 5 ; average attendance 5.
    This, the smallest (yet oldest Country) School in the Province, still quietly and unpretendingly keeps on the very even tenor of its way. I have not been able to visit it this year, but from the Monthly Returns of work &c., which I duly receive from its Teacher, I find its few Scholars steadily advancing under her industrious and regular attention.

26. Te Wairoa School.
    Mistress, Mrs. L. Gosnell, who is also assisted in the School. On Roll, Boys 43, Girls 38, total 81 ; average attendance 65. Inspected, March 22, 23, 1876.
    This School is now a large one, having been for sometime steadily increasing in number, while it has also advanced in learning in all the various branches taught therein ; it is now a flourishing School. Two of its boys gained Special Prizes for working the complicated Prize Sum. Its Teacher is able, painstaking, and thoroughly devoted to the improvement of her Scholars—both in the School and out of it.

WILLIAM COLENSO,
Inspector of Schools.