INDUSTRIAL AND REFORMATORY SCHOOLS (INFORMATION RELATING TO).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1880 Session I, H-01k

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INDUSTRIAL AND REFORMATORY SCHOOLS (INFORMATION RELATING TO).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of Sis Excellency.

DESTITUTE CHILDEEN'S HOME, AUCKLAND. RETURN FOE THE YEAR 1879.

A. Children committed under Neglected Children Acts.

B. Children not committed under Neglected Children Acts.

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1880. NEW ZEALAND.

Boys. Girls. Total. 1. Number in institution on 31st December, 1878 2. „ admitted during year 1879 60 22 29 8 89 30 3. Total, to agree with numbers in line 9 82 37 119 4. Number in institution on 31st December, 1879 5. „ placed at service 6. ,, discharged under the Act 7. placed with or given up to friends 8. who have died 59 6 6 10 1 28 4 2 3 87 10 8 13 1 9. Total, to agree with numbers in line 3 82 37 119 .0. Total number whose term has not expired, at service or otherwise boarded out 18 10 2S

Boys. Girls, Total. 1. Number in institution on 31st December, 1878 2. „ admitted during year 1879 12 3 6 3 18 6 3. Total, to agree with numbers in line 9 15 24 4. Number in institution on 31st December, 1879 5. „ placed at service 6. discharged under the Act 7. placed with or given up to friends 8. „ who have died 13 1 7 1 i 20 2 i l 1 9. Total, to agree with numbers) in line 3 L5 24 .0. Total number whose term has not expired, at service or otherwise boarded out

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C. Income and Expenditure for Year 1879.

D. Average weekly cost per child for the year, ss. 2jd. (not including repairs and special).

E. Official Position and Annual Salary of the several Members of the Staff employed on 31st December, 1879.

ST. MAEY'S INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL, AUCKLAND. RETURN FOR THE YEAR 1879.

A. Children committed under Neglected Children Acts.

B. Children not committed under Neglected Children Acts.

Income. Expenditure. 'rom Government „ subscriptions or donations ... „ parents or friends >ther receipts ialance last year £ s. d. 1,358 19 2 393 6 2 15 12 0 2 19 231 2 5 On salaries and wages ... „ maintenance „ other expenses New buildings and repairs Special to Motu Ihi Balance £ s. d, 205 7 € ... 1,152 16 4 94 19 i 425 10 7 46 5 i 76 2 S Total ... ... i £2,001 1 6 Total ... £2,001 1 6 ... £2,001 1 6

Master and Matron Assistant Cook Laundry-woman Seamstress £100 per annum, witt 26 26 26 26 h board 1 and L lodging. )! )) Total £204

Boys. Girls. Total. 1. Number in institution on 31st December, 1878 2. „ admitted during year 1879 42 6 42 6 3. Total, to agree with numbers in line 9 48 48 4. Number in institution on 31st December, 1879 5. ,, placed at service 6. ,, discharged under the Act 7. ,, placed with or given up to friends 8. „ who have died 39 2 3 4 89 2 3 4 9. Total, to agree with numbers in line 3 48 48 .0. Total number whose term has not expired, at service or otherwise boarded out

Boys. Girls. Total. 1. Number in institution on 31st December, 1878 2. „ admitted during year 1879 14 3 14 8 8. Total, to agree with numbers in line 9 1.7 17 4. Number in institution on 31st December, 1879 5. ,, placed at service 6. „ discharged under the Act 7. „ placed with or given up to friends 8. „ who have died 12 3 2 12 3 2 9. Total, to agree with numbers in line 3 17 17 .0. Total number whose term has not expired, at service or otherwise boarded out

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C. Income and Expenditure for Year 1879.

D. Average weekly cost per child for the year, ss.

E. Official Position and Annual Salary of the several Members of the Staff employed on 31st December, 1879. Two teachers (sisters), £30 each; matron, £40; two servants, £15 each. No separate payment of these provided by Government, but deducted from the revenue.

BITKNHAM INDUSTEIAL SCHOOL. RETURN FOR THE TEAR 1879.

A. Children committed under Neglected Children Acts.

B. Income and Expenditure for Year 1879.

C. Average weekly cost per child for the year, 6s. 3d,

Income. Expenditure. £ s. Vom Government ... ... 360 18 „ subscriptions or donations... 200 3 „ parents or friends ... 200 12 ither receipts ... ... 28 17 d. 8 0 0 0 £ s. On salaries and wages ... ... 113 5 „ other expenses of management 329 15 „ maintenance and clothing ... 138 11 Other expenses, repairs, and building 210 3 d. 0 1 4 0 Total ... ... £790 10 8 Total £791 14 5

Boys. Girls. Total. 1. Number in institution on 31st December, 1878 2. „ admitted during year 1879 80 33 87 22 126 55 3. Total, to agree with numbers in line 9 122 59 181 4. Number in institution on 31st December, 1879 5. „ placed at service 6. discharged under the Act 7. placed with or given up to friends 8. who have died 100 4A 144 9. Total, to agree with numbers in line 3 .0. Total number whose term has not expired, at service or otherwise boarded out

Income. Expenditure. £ s. d. £ s. d. On salaries and wages ... ... 654 0 0 „ other expenses of management 1,294 12 6 Other expenses ... ... 182 9 0 Vom Government „ parents or friends ... )ther receipts Total Total ... ...£2,132 1 6

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D. Official Position and Annual Salary of the several Members of the Staff employed on 31st December, 1879.

Owing to changes in the staff, some of the information required to complete the foregoing tables relating to Burnham cannot be obtained.

LYTTELTOJNT OEPHANAGE. RETURN FOR THE YEAR 1879.

A. Children Admitted.

B. Income and Expenditure for Year 1879.

C. Average weekly cost per child for the year, 7s. Bfd. This includes cost of education and repairs to buildings.

D. Official Position and Annual Salary of the several Members of the Staff employed on 31st December, 1879.

Kaine. Position. Annual Salary. Remarks. toseveare, C. !ollee, Mrs. 'ittal, S. ... jucas, T. C. 'hree female servants Master "... Matron Assistant Master Mechanic £ 200 90 150 150 110 s. d. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Boys. Girls. Total. 1. Number in institution on 31st December, 1878 2. „ admitted during year 1879 58 13 39 8 97 21 8. Total, to agree with numbers in line 9 71 47 118 4. Number in institution on 31st December, 1879 5. „ placed at service 6. „ discharged under the Act 7. „ placed with or given up to friends 8. „ who have died 02 5 "i 40 1 6 102 6 10 9. Total, to agree with numbers in line 3 71 47 118 L0. Total number whose term has not expired, at service or otherwise boarded out

Income. Expenditure. 'rom Government „ parents or friends £ s. d. ... 1,722 2 1| 245 .6 4 £ s. a. On salaries and wages... ... 564 15 8 „ maintenance ... ... 1,317 15 4£ Other expenses, repairs to buildings ... ... ... 102 17 5 Total ... ... £1,967 8 51 Total ... ... £1,967 8 5£

Position. Annual Salary. Position. Annual Salary. [aster (and Schoolmaster) [edieal Officer [atron overness £ 200 100 100 50 s. d. 0 0 Pupil-teacher ... 0 0 j Cook 0 0 Nurse 0 0 £ s. a. 30 0 0 40 0 0 40 0 0

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OTAGO INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL. APPENDIX TO REPORT FOR 1879.

A. Children connected with the Institution.

B. Income and Expenditure for Year 1879. Income. Expenditure. £ s. d. £ a. d. From Parliamentary vote ... 3,250 14 3 On salaries and wages ... ... 1,090 G 0 From parents and guardians ... 352 16 6 ~ maintenance ... ... 2,160 8 3 Other receipts... ... ... 3 9 0 Paid to Colonial Treasury ... 356 5 6 Total ... ... £3,606 19 9 Total ... ... £3,606 19 9 Average weekly cost per inmate for the year, ss. 2 Ad. Actual weekly cost after deduction of moneys received from parents, 4s. 7-Jd. i

C. Detailed Statement of Expendittjbe. £ s. d. Bread ... ... ... ... ... ... .:. 402 2 3 Meat ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 231 9 4 Groceries ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 497 16 10 Milk ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 90 3 0 Drapery „« ... ... ... ... ... ... 241 17 11 Ironmongery ... ... ... ... ... ... 110 9 1 Fuel ... . ... ... ... ... ... 152 0 3 Boots ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 13G 12 6 Carpenter's and smith's work... ... ... ... ... 33 8 0 Books, slates, pens, and ink ... ... ... ... ... 14 1 0 Drugs and medicines ... ... ... ... ... 13 8 0 Paid for babies out at nurse ... .... ... ... ... 35 7 6 Funeral expenses ... ... ... ... ... ... 510 0 Incidental expenses (including cost of wood and iron for addition to day school) ... ... ... ... ... ... 196 2 7 Salaries and wages ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,090 G 0 Total ... ... ... ... ... £3,250 14 3

Boys. Girls. Total. 1. Number in the school on 31st December, 1878 2. „ admitted during year 1879 122 84 104 55 220 139 3. Total number, to agree with numbers in line 10 206 159 365 4. Number in the school on 31st December, 1879 5. „ placed at service 6. „ placed with or given up to friends 7. „ discharged under the Act 8. „ who have died 9. „ ran away (returned in January, 1880) 140 18 37 8 1 2 100 5 38 13 3 240 23 75 21 4 2 .0. Total, to agree with numbers in line 3 206 159 365 .1. Total number whose term has not expired, at service or otherwise placed out S3 84 1G7

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D. Detailed Statement of Position and Annual Salaries of the Staff as at 31st December, 1879.

E. List of New Clothing made by the Girls during the Tear, exclusive of keeping all Clothing neatly mended and in good repair. 76 girls' chemises, 129 girls' dresses, 10 boys' coats, 82 flannel petticoats, 48 pillow-slips, 199 girls' pinafores, 50 boys' shirts, 50 sheets for beds, 30 bed-ticks, 42 pairs boys' trousers, 21 muslin windowscreens, 20 boys' flannel shirts, 49 towels, 1 table-cover. In addition to needlework, the girls make all the beds, scrub the floors, and assist in all the other domestic work of the institution. They receive four and a half hours' school instruction five days in the week. A most abundant supply of vegetables is grown by the boys, under the care of the gardener.

EEPOETS ON CAVERS HAM INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL. 1. Mb. Hislop's Bepobt. Sic, — Department of Education, "Wellington, 26th June, 1880. I have the honor to submit the following report on the Otago Industrial School: —■ This institution was established in January, 1869, under the provisions of " The Neglected and Criminal Children Act, 1867." As I was associated with the late Mr. St. John Branigan in carrying out the directions of the Superintendent (Mr. Macandrew) in connection with the establishment and organization of the school, and as I succeeded that gentleman as Honorary Inspector on his leaving for "Wellington, I have had ample opportunity of becoming acquainted with the management of the institution in all its details from the very outset until I left Dunedin in January, 1878. The management of the school was transferred to this department in April last. Inspection of the School. The control of the institution was placedtby the Act in the hands of the Superintendent of the province, and there is no express provision for the appointment of an inspecting officer, or committee or board of management. But it is provided by sections 42 and 44 that all persons authorized in that behalf by the Superintendent of the province, all members of the Provincial Executive Council, all members of both Houses of the Colonial Legislature, all Judges of the Supreme Court or any District Court, and all Justices of the Peace shall be entitled to visit the school, and may inscribe in a book to be kept for the purpose " any remarks or observations they may think fit to make touching or concerning the school and the master, matron, teachers, officers, servants, or inmates, or any of them." On the opening of the school Mr. Macandrew invited Mr. Branigan to accept the office of Honorary Inspector, tho duties of which he performed for some years with great zeal and ability, and with unspeakable advantage to the institution and its inmates. Shortly after Mr. Branigan's removal to Wellington the Superintendent conferred on me the Honorary Inspectorship of the school. When the Abolition Act came into operation the control of the school vested in the Governor of the colony, and was placed in charge of the Minister of 3 ustice, who requested me to continue in the performance of the duties of Honorary Inspector. I did so until I left Dunedin for Wellington in January, 1878. Shortly after my removal the Government invited four gentlemen to act as a committee of management or inspection, but three of them declined, on the ground, I believe, that the Act gave them no legal status; and since then Mr. H. Houghton has performed the duties of Honorary Inspector. Although I had no legal status as Honorary Inspector, I never experienced any difficulty under the Provincial or the Colonial Government in doing all that was really necessary to secure the proper and successful carrying-on of the work of the school. The following is a summary of what I conceive to be the duties of the Honorary Inspector: To visit the institution from time to time, and not always when expected; to take notice of the condition

Name. Position. Annual Salary. Remarks. Titchener, Elijah Titchener, Mrs. Burns, Robert, M.E.C.S.E. Titchener, John G. ... Christie, Miss C. "W. Grant, John Cushworth, Arthur ... Cushworth, Mrs. Mattocks,, Christina... Chamberlain, Mary ... Esplin, Isabella Jackman, Eliza James, Jane Davey, Elizabeth Millar, Margaret Master Matron Medical Visitor Schoolmaster ... Schoolmistress Gardener, &c. ... Male Attendant Cook Work Mistress Laundress £ s. d. 225 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 150 0 0 100 0 0 120 0 0 60 0 0 40 0 0 50 0 0 45 0 0 40 0 0 40 0 0 30 0 0 7 16 0 7 16 0 Nurse Machinist j, £1,115 12 0

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of the building and its inmates, and of all the surroundings; to satisfy himself as to the suitableness of all the arrangements in connection with food, clothing, bedding, cleanliness, instruction, &c.; to examine the entries in the visitors' book, the admission record, and other registers since his previous visit; to peruse the correspondence with the children who have been placed out, and with the parents, friends, and others with whom children have been placed, and also with those who may have applied for children; and to confer with the master and matron with regard to any matter out of the ordinary course on which they may want advice. Mr. Macandrew made it a rule that no warrant or license for the placing-out or the discharge of any child should be presented to him for his signature as Superintendent unless previously indorsed by the Honorary Inspector ; and no authority for any extraordinary expenditure on the school was ever sanctioned without the Inspector's recommendation. The same rule has been strictly adhered to by the department in "Wellington, and no warrant or license is submitted to His Excellency for his signature, and no requisition for supplies is sanctioned, unless accompanied with the Honorary Inspector's approval in writing. I venture to recommend, as an additional security, that in future the master of every industrial school be directed to forward with every proposal for the placing-out of any child a statement of particulars, showing the child's age and degree of education, the name, calling, and circumstances of the person in whose charge the child is proposed to be placed, the reasons for the proposal, and the conditions agreed upon as regards the child's school instruction in any case where the required standard of proficiency has not been reached. The Placing-out of Children. It is very difficult to lay down any inflexible rule with regard to the placing-out of the children. It is necessary that each case should be dealt with on its merits. In some instances a boy or a girl is wanted only for service. In such a case the boy or girl must be of sufficient age and strength, and of fair education. The contracting party must engage to pay reasonable wages, and to provide sufficiently for clothing, board, and lodging. The wages are paid to the master of the school, who places the amount, as received, in the Post Office Savings Bank to the credit of the person who earned them. It is understood that all such earnings, with the accumulated interest, will be paid to the young people when they reach majority or settle in life, good conduct being in every case a condition of such payment. Several interesting letters from children who had been placed out at service, from members of the constabulary force, and also from employers, are printed in my report on the school for 1873-74, a copy of which is attached.* A very large number of letters equally interesting and gratifying have since been received by the master of the school. I perused several of these of quite a recent date when on a visit to the school last March. It is no unusual thing for a married couple without children of their own to apply for a young orphan boy or girl with a view to his or her adoption. lam acquainted with some very pleasing cases of this nature. In such cases the children are licensed to the party in terms of the Act, and, if the child should be improperly treated, or if the party's conduct should prove unsatisfactory, the child is recalled to the school. Again, in numerous instances the relations or friends of the children, and sometimes their own parents, make earnest application to have such children intrusted to their care. Many of these applications have to be refused, but not unfrequently they are granted for reasons which are believed to be well founded. I have had many painful interviews with the mothers of children who had been committed to the school, to whose pitiful pleadings for the restoration of their little ones I have been compelled to turn a deaf ear. But even long before the expiry of the term for which the children have been committed it sometimes happens that the conduct of the parents has so much improved, and they express so strong a desire to have their little ones restored to them, that it is deemed advisable to place their children out with them. Of course the children remain under the legal control of the institution, and the parents, knowing this, are put upon their good behaviour, and are usually exceedingly careful to avoid such a course of conduct as would lead to the forfeiture of the custody of the children. It is a fact perfectly well known to the master of the school and myself that instances have occurred of a reformation to all appearance having taken place in the conduct and habits of the parents of children who had been committed to the Industrial School. It might be unsafe to offer any positive opinion as to the cause or causes which may have brought about such reformation. Perhaps the visible improvement effected through the instrumentality of the institution upon the conduct and condition of their children may have exercised a powerful reflex influence upon the parents, even to such an extent as to stir up in them a strong yearning after good, and thus have brought about that amendment of life so manifestly exhibited by them. It is not improbable that the shock produced upon the minds of the parents by the forcible removal of their children from their control may have in some instances contributed towards the results referred to. My report for 1874, already referred to, mentions some instances of this nature. Of course in no case should a child be permitted to remain with its parents or other persons whose conduct is known to be so bad as to render them unfit to have the charge of children. Assistance rendered by Police. The members of the constabulary force have, from the very outset, rendered most valuable service in connection with the school. The master has permission from the Constabulary Department to hold direct communication with the officers in charge of the different police districts with reference to the Industrial School children resident within their bounds. By this means a kindly and quiet watch is kept over a considerable number of the children who arc placed out at service or intrusted to the charge of friends and relatives. I know for certain that a good deal of correspondence goes on between the master of the school and the officers in charge of districts, and that the latter have ever shown themselves most willing to render all the assistance in their power.

* See Otago Provincial Council Votes and Proceedings, Session XXXIII., 1874, jp. 32-39,

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I have this day received from the master of the school a report showing the results of a correspondence between him and Inspector Fox, of Invercargill. In 187G E. W. was placed m charge of a married couple in Invercargill. A few weeks ago Inspector Fox informed the master of the school that these persons had been misconducting themselves since last January, and that " the child was lightly clad, and looking otherwise neglected." The master requested Inspector Fox to take the necessary steps for sending the girl back to the school; but the man refused to give the girl up, and employed a lawyer to defend his case before the Eesident Magistrate, to whom application had been made for an order of removal. The Magistrate decided that he could not grant an order without the production of a warrant under the hand of His Excellency the Governor, requiring the girl to return to the school. A warrant was obtained and forwarded with the least possible delay, and the master has now reported the girl's return to the school. This is only one out of a number of cases of a similar nature. Among the records of the institution are numerous reports by the officers of the police respecting the conduct and treatment of the children, all of which it is the duty of the Honorary Inspector to read. Some of the constables' reports of former years are printed in my report for 1874, above referred to. Mistakes sometimes made. Notwithstanding the care taken in the placing-out of the children, and the assistance rendered by the police in watching over them, it must be confessed that mistakes have sometimes been made; that parties have been intrusted with children who proved unworthy of the trust, and that in a few instances children may have been permitted to remain too long with such persons. In common with the master of the school, I have sometimes had to regret that we had yielded to the importunate pleadings of parents for the restoration of their little ones. But those were exceptional cases, and I respectfully submit that it would prove exceedingly discouraging, if not most unfair, to the master, the Honorary Inspector, and the department, if such occasional occurrences should be regarded as fair specimens of the ordinary management of the institution. The course I have recommended in a former part of this report with regard to the placing-out of children will probably dimmish the number of such cases; but lam unable, after so many years' experience, to guarantee that they will altogether cease under the very best possible management. The Management of the Institution and its Inmates. The first master of the school died at his post in December, 1875 ; and after very careful inquiry the Superintendent conferred the appointment of master on Sergeant Titchener, who had been for many years a very efficient officer of the Otago Constabulary. His wife was at the same time appointed matron. As Honorary Inspector I have had abundant opportunity of becoming intimately acquainted with the character and qualifications of Mr. and Mrs. Titchener. I know the recorded opinions formed of them by intelligent visitors of the school, and there can be no doubt of their eminent fitness for their difficult and responsible positions. Their work speaks for itself. The spirit of genuine kindliness which unmistakably pervades the whole of the establishment is producing most gratifying results, as manifested by the happiness and contentment of the children, and by their appearance and bearing. Under date 9th June, 1879, Mr. Macandrew wrote in the visitors' book as follows: " Visited school, which lam glad to find maintains the high character which I have had occasion so frequently to record with regard to it." About the same time a lady from Victoria made the following entry: " I have spent a most interesting hour in this excellent institution. I can find no words in which to express the gratification I have derived from the sight of the happy faces, admirable provision, and discipline of true kindness and parental interest I have witnessed in this institution." School Instruction. The classes in charge of the schoolmaster and schoolmistress were examined last December by MrTaylor, one of the Otago Education Board's Inspectors. His report is appended. I spent the greater part of a day at the school last March, and devoted some time to an examination of the classes. lam able to bear out all that Mr. Taylor states*;with regard to the proficiency and good conduct of the children, and the ability and diligence of the* teachers. The school-building has been enlarged, and it now affords ample accommodation for the children. Mr. Taylor visited the school on the 28th April, 1879, and made the following entry : " Visited the institution to-day, and was greatly pleased with its excellent management. Inspected the [day] schools, and found the children remarkably well-behaved. They read with fluency and good expression; they spell with accuracy and ease. They are well acquainted with the tables and the elementary rules of arithmetic ; and the writing is characterized by neatness and good form. The singing is superior, and is delightful to listen to." Statistics. Attached are tables showing the number of children, the income and expenditure, &c. The number of children in the institution on 31st December, 1878, was 226, and there were 139 committals to the school in the course of the year 1879. During the same period. 125 left the institution, thus leaving 240 on 31st December, 1879, or an increase of 14 for the year. The two boys mentioned as having run away returned to the school in January, and they are now in good employment. The average daily number of inmates for the year (including the staff!) was 240, and the actual cost to the colony for salaries, wages, maintenance, &c, for the same period, was at the rate of 4s. 7-fd. per head per week. The sum of £352 16s. 6d. was recovered from parents and guardians. Other receipts amounted to £3 9s. In addition to the children in the institution on 31st December, 1879, and those who had been placed out during the year, there were at the same date 167 children who had previously been placed out, and whose term had not expired, thus making altogether 507 in connection with the school at the close of last year.

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Tables C, D, and E show respectively the cost of each of the main articles of expenditure, the number of new articles of clothing made by the girls, and the position and salaries of the staff, for the year 1879. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education, John Hislop, Wellington. Secretary to Education Department.

2. Mb. Taylor's Report. Sir, — Education Office, Dunedin, 18th December, 1879. I have the honor to report that at your request I examined the Industrial School at Cavershain on the 11th instant. The school is attended by 132 boys and 95 girls, or a total of 227 pupils, of from about three to fourteen years of age. The school-building consists of two rooms of fair size and moderately equipped. The higher classes are under the charge of Mr. John Titchener, and the infant department is presided over by Miss Christie. The latter is very much overcrowded, there being scarcely breathing-room for the 170 children occupying it. Additional accommodation and an increase of teaching-power are both requisite for the satisfactory management of the school. I examined 58 pupils in Standards 1., 11., and 111. of the ordinary school syllabus of instruction, omitting grammar, geography, and history, as these subjects have not been taken up as parts of the instruction given in this institution. It has been considered sufficient hitherto to confine the attention of the children to reading, spelling, writing, and arithmetic, seeing that their time at school is likely to be limited and of uncertain duration, and that a considerable portion of it has to be devoted to industrial work. Notwithstanding that no systematic instruction is given in grammar and geography, the upper classes show a good acquaintance with the position of places mentioned in their reading-books, and can make sentences about familiar things with facility and considerable accuracy. Drill, class-movements, and the order altogether are most satisfactory. The pupils have been well trained to give strict attention to duty, to yield ready and willing obedience to orders, to practise quiet and respectful behaviour, and to exercise habits of self-control, which, considering their position and circumstances, are essential parts of their true upbringing. The instruction, though, of course, elementary, is thorough as far as it goes. The children are intelligent, and give ready answers to questions. The reading is distinct, fluent, and unusually expressive. The spelling, tested by ten words written on slates in Standards I. and 11., and by dictation exercise in Standard 111., was almost without mistake. The writing on copy-books is clean and well formed, showing careful supervision. Three only out of 58 pupils failed in arithmetic. The work of the infant room is very satisfactory and well advanced for the age of the pupils. I may here mention that valuable assistance is rendered to the teachers by some of the bigger pupils, who do good service as monitors. The singing in the infant room, consisting of imitation songs, was given in good time and tune, and with appropriate motions. The singing in the higher room consisted of solos and part-songs, which were rendered with much taste and sweetness, accompanied by the harmonium, played by Mr. Titchener and his son. A fife and drum band of about twenty small performers played some selections with accuracy and much vigour. The school in both departments is very efficiently" conducted and doing excellent work. I have only to suggest in the meantime the introduction of object and natural-history lessons, as well calculated to educate the pupils and to increase their stores of information. Were .1 required to report on the institution as a whole I could only do so in terms of highest praise, and state that in my opinion it realizes to the fullest extent the purposes for which it was established. Under its present excellent management it is the means of conferring upon the unfortunate inmates, and even upon society at large, benefits beyond estimate. I have, &c, William Taylor, The Secretary, Otago Education Board. Sub-Inspector of Schools. Note.—Since the date of Mr. Taylor's visit a large addition has been made to the schoolmistress's class-room, and directions have been given for" the carrying-out of the suggestions as to the introduction of natural-history and object lessons.—J. 11.

3. Dr. Buens'b Refoet. Sib, — Otago Industrial School, Ist July, 1880. I have the honor to report that the average number of inmates for the year 1879 was 230, exclusive of staff. The state of health has been very satisfactory, and there has been no case of epidemic disease. The deaths were four in number —1. Robert John Smith, aged 9 months, died 3rd January, admitted 20th December, 1878 ; 2. Eliza Ann Reid, aged 15 months, died 30th January, admitted November, 1878; 3. Sarah Butler, aged 2J years, died (Jth September, admitted April, 1879; 4. Francis L. Symes, aged 9 years, died 29th September, admitted November, 1877. This gives a deathrate of a little over 16 per 1,000. The death-rate for the City of Dunedin for the same year was within a fraction of 17 per 1,000; and, taking into consideration that this comprises all ages and all classes, and that the death-rate is always considerably greater among children than among adults (while our inmates are nearly all on admittance suffering from neglect and deprivation, and frequently from constitutional diseases), I may fairly claim our death-rate to be extremely low, and a conclusive proof of the great attention to the welfare of the children on the part of the master and matron. I have, &c, Robert Btnura, F.R.C.S.E., Medical Officer. 2—H. Ik.

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4. Me. Hotjghton's Hepokt. Sic,— Dunedin, 6th July, 1880. I have the honor to furnish, for your information, the following report upon the Industrial School, as requested : — Since my connection with it as Honorary Inspector, now some three years ago, it has been to me throughout the whole of this period a great pleasure, when making my usual fortnightly visits, to observe the order, regularity, cleanliness, and obedience of the children in the institution. There can be no question oE the kindness and parental care under which the children are brought up, or of the affection which they exhibit towards the whole of the staff employed in the institution. In very few cases has it been found necessary to inflict punishment —kindness has prevailed over stolid obstinacy. In the cases of lads of an advanced age who have been committed to the school, only in one instance dn I recall a lad's being sent to gaol—and in that instance most reluctantly —by the master, for con.tiuued insubordination. Upwards of 240 children of all ages, from a few months to fourteen years old, are under perfect control, and are most ably taught by one male and one female teacher, assisted by one of the older boys ; and I believe that their examination will compare favourably with other schools in the province. One feature of the schools should not be lost sight of, and that is the skill displayed by many of the children in singing, which is taught in the evenings by the master; and by the drum and fife band, most kindly taught by a resident of Caversham, who for several years past has given instruction two or three evenings weekly. Such teaching has had a most beneficial effect on the general conduct of the school. It has been given as a reward for good behaviour, and is most highly prized by those obtaining the privilege of belonging either to the singing-class or to the band. I should mention that there is a most efficient Sunday school, taught by some twelve or fourteen teachers from the young people of Caversham, under the superintendence of Mr. Blackwood. Of the conduct and discipline of the school I cannot speak too highly. A few cases of absconding have occurred in the case of lads of full age, when first committed. All have been brought back again, and gradually they have become sensible of the good they were receiving. Thk/ boys big enough are employed out of doors in gardening, and such work, with school hours, fully fills up their time. Of those placed out in service after their term in school has ended, most satisfactory accounts are received from their employers; and one cannot read the letters from the children themselves without a feeling of thankfulness for the good training they received whilst in the school. Due allowance must be made for the difficulties the management has met with, and the great strain at times upon the master to provide accommodation for the numerous committals made to the school, in a mass of buildings at best only makeshift. The recent enlargement of the schoolroom has provided space now for the children to assemble in without the overcrowding so much complained of previously, and the enlargement, during the present cold season, has proved of the greatest comfort in giving a large room in which the children can spend their evenings before going to rest. The health of the children has been wonderfully good. But few cases of sickness have occurred, and the expenditure for medicines has been remarkably small. All have been well cared for by the visiting surgeon, Dr. Burns, to whose weekly visits much of this satisfactory state of things is to be attributed. From time to time I have called attention to the many abuses in connection with the admission of children to the institution, and to the very serious charge the Government is brought under by the admission of infants of the most tender age, and to the absolute necessity for greater care being exercised by committing magistrates for the prevention of such abuses. As a result of my own observation, I believe it will be found, as a rule, that when parents succeed in getting their children admitted they consider themselves as relieved from all further responsibility. A very serious matter is the admission of infant children (whose period of residence may reach fourteen years), and the cost it entails on the State. Some legislation is necessary in this direction. In conclusion, I most willingly offer my tribute of admiration to the master and matron, Mr. and Titchener, whose services are proving so invaluable. The high state of efficiency in which the institution is found is due to their unwearied care in looking after the welfare of these waifs and strays of society, whose future usefulness will be due to the fostering care received whilst in the Industrial School. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education, H. Houghton, Wellington. Honorary Inspector.

By Authority : George Didsbtoy, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBo. Price 9d.]

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