APPENDIX No. I.

A.1. TE ARO, WELLINGTON.—This is the largest school in the Province; and, as such, there should be ample school room space, a staff of good teachers, and very strict discipline. The school is deficient in all three respects. New blocks of parallel desks, one or two large windows, more ventilation, and the refurnishing of the class-rooms are required. The proposed Pupil Teacher system, if adopted, would meet the second want. The master should effect the third; and, with better organisation and better teachers, it would be easier for him to do so. The standard of the attainments of the scholars is low. More careful classification is needed. There is a good tone in the school, owing to the kindly influence of Mr. Holmes, who has had charge of the school from its foundation. In justice to Mr. Holmes, it must be stated that there is a constant influx of new scholars. Of 112 children who passed standard I six months ago, only 49 remained on the books at my last examination. Not a child in this large school could pass Standard III. The son of the Hon. Wi Tako passed Standard II.

A. 2. THORNDON SCHOOL.—Since my last visit, the desks have been rearranged with advantage. The newest portion of the building should be fitted up with parallel desks. More light is wanted in the old portion of the building. The highest class of the school consisted of boys and girls seldom over 11 years of age. So long as children are removed from school at this tender age, just when they are beginning to learn with intelligence, little can be done to educate them. The school is doing good work, and will produce the best results with the material in hand. Few girls attend. The discipline is not sufficiently strict, and the smallest children were badly provided with slates and reading books. Ludwig and Webbe made two of the best passes in Standard III. of all the boys in the Province.

A. 3. HOPPER STREET, WELLINGTON.—This school is held in a "lean-to," and conducted by Mrs. Wilkinson and her daughter. It is more of an infant school than any other in the Province. Owing to the want of space, half the children attend in the mornings, and half in the afternoons. The young children are carefully taught.

A. 4. BOULCOTT STREET.—The results in Arithmetic are higher than in any other school in the Province. The other work was satisfactory. The discipline is improved, but not good. Mrs. Hurley takes great pains with the younger children. The building is unsuited for a schoolroom, being too small, too narrow, and ill-ventilated. It will not accommodate more than sixty.

A. 5. HILL STREET.—The discipline, attention to cleanliness, and the home-lesson work of this school are the best in the Province. The schoolroom itself was not tidy. This is owing very much to the wretched organisation, as the school is literally blocked up with huge, clumsy desks, necessarily so close together, that it is hard for the children to squeeze between them, and good classification is almost impossible. The schoolroom requires windows on the side nearest the road. I missed Wilson, Te Amohau, and other sons of Maori Chiefs, who, on my last visit, were being most carefully trained by Mr. Newlyn.

B. 1. KAIWARRA.—A good school under excellent discipline and management. Nearly all the children in the neighbourhood attend. The building wants repairs and six new parallel desks.

B. 2. JOHNSONVILLE.—Miss Stevens has this school in admirable order. There has been a marked progress in the short time the mistress has held charge. Six new parallel desks are wanted badly. The teacher’s rooms are small and uncomfortable.

B. 3. TAWA FLAT.—Miss Wilson has altered the tone of the school, but the upper children require a master. There are no offices attached, and a dangerous unfenced stream runs by. Six desks are wanted. The children who passed Standard III. had been six years at school.

B. 4. PORIRUA FERRY.—Tone, discipline, and results low, but a better state of things hoped for under the new master. Six parallel desks badly wanted in place of the two flap desks to the side of the room. The master’s accommodation is much too small for a married man. The chimney smokes badly, and he has no supply of water. The playground should be fenced. The school, like some others, has been put in the wrong place, close by the side of the road.

B. 5. PAHIATUA.—Though the results are not high, the school has much improved during the past half year. The master should teach Arithmetic more by examples worked on the black board. The reading was generally good. The copy-books were not neat. The building is spacious, suitable, and well placed, but it is too low to allow of sufficient cubical area. I directed the master, Mr. Singer, to rearrange his desks, which are suitable in build.

B. 6. HONOKIWI VALLEY.—A good efficient half-time school—building and fittings sufficient for the size of the school.

B. 7. KAIKORI.—A great many children appear to have left the district. There is room for much improvement in the tone, discipline, and attendance. Writing and Arithmetic were poorly taught. The lower classes showed little improvement. The building is more than sufficient for the wants of the district. Rain comes down the chimney in sufficient quantity to put out the fire. There are apparently two masters’ houses. All the buildings are unfinished, and the place untidy.