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that he should feel no hesitation or difficulty in, at once, more than doubling the number of Maori scholars, if the school accommodation and the funds for providing additional assistance admitted of his doing so. In order to provide such increased accommodation, the Board of Maori Trustees has voted a sum of £60 towards a new school-room, which is to be commenced immediately, [in addition to the annual grant of £40]. This will afford the means of dividing the children into two schools, a measure which is frequently desirable. In order, however, to obtain the full benefit of this arrangement, it would be necessary to secure the entire and permanent services of the school mistress by an adequate salary; and it would be further very advantageous, especially with reference to the instruction of the female children in many branches of domestic economy, such as washing, house cleaning, cooking, &c., that, if possible, a suitable residence should be provided for her use. But whatever may be found practicable in this respect, we would strongly recommend that the peculiar character of the school, that is, the free intercourse between the children of both races, and their instruction in common, should be carefully preserved: so far as we can learn, this school is the only one where such a system exists, and its good effects during the short time it has been in operation, justify us not only in recommending its continuance, but in looking forward with much hope and interest to its further development.

The improvement in the female scholars during the short time the school mistress has been engaged, speaks well for her attention and care; and the general discipline of the schools, conducted by Mr. Sutcliffe, is very creditable to his management; the more so, as his remuneration, looking at the high rate of labour, and the double duties in the night and day schools which he has to perform, gives a very inadequate return for his exertions.

Our examination of the adult school was also very satisfactory. The progress of the Natives in learning the English language is necessarily slow, from its complex structure, and the many new sounds to be acquired; but their good-humoured patience and steady perseverance are very remarkable, as well as their docility; grown up men not only readily but eagerly availing themselves of the help of mere children for the purpose of instruction. But if they cannot compete with the younger branches of their families in acquiring a new and difficult tongue, their native intelligence is strikingly shown in all that relates to the science of numbers. Almost all are well acquainted with the four first simple rules of arithmetic; many are able to apply them to all kinds of money transactions; and we found some of them busily engaged in calculating the value of money for terms of years at varying rates of interest. They write fairly, and have begun to receive instruction in geography.

There is no industrial establishment connected with this school, although we think it might be added with advantage, and there are already some facilities for its introduction. We believe that the materials exist for such an establishment on a considerable scale, especially if we take into account the districts connected with Motueka, where a disposition has already shown itself to profit by the advantages now held out to them. We are assured of the readiness of the Rev. T. L. Tudor to enter upon this new field of duty by taking the active superintendence of any such institution, and we have also to acknowledge his friendly co-operation and assistance in preparing the present report.

We have the honor to be

Your Excellency’s very obedt. servants,

M. Richmond,
Superintendent.

J. D. Greenwood,
Samuel Stephens.

To his Excellency

Sir George Grey, K.C.B.,
Governor-in-Chief, &c., &c., &c.

New Plymouth.

New Plymouth,
30th August, 1852.

Sir,—I have the honor to request you to lay before His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief the accompanying Report of the Inspectors of Public Schools received two days ago. The Plans referred to in the above Report are enclosed in a