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1881. NEW ZEALAND.
EDUCATION: INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS AND ORPHANAGES (PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of H.-1k, 1880.]
Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by Command of Sis Excellency.
No. 1. MEMORANDUM BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION. A beief account of the state of the Industrial Schools, the Orphanages, and the Naval Training School, is contained in the Fourth Annual Report of the Minister of Education,* where will be found a summary statement of the names, objects, localities, &c, of the several institutions; the number of children connected with them; their income and expenditure; and other statistical information. Puller particulars respecting them are supplied in reports from the local Managers, and from officers of the department by whom the institutions have been visited, and I recommend that these documents be printed.t The Caversham, the Burnham, and the Kohimarama Schools are under the direct control of the Education Department, which is, in a large measure, responsible for their efficient conduct. The other institutions are under local management, and in regard to them the department has simply the power of inspection and of asking for reports and returns. The oldest of the industrial schools is that of Caversham, which was established in January, 1869. From the outset this school has been under efficient management. The amount of good that has been accomplished through its instrumentality is incalculable, and at the present time it is in almost every resnect all that could be desired. The Burnham School was established in 1873, and has been under the* present master and matron for about fifteen months. Since they took charge, many marked improvements have been effected by them, and there is reason to expect that under their management the school will soon attain a degree of efficiency and success equal to that of Caversham. The Kohimarama Naval Training School was established in December, 1874. I refer to special reports to show the steps that have been taken to promote the greater efficiency of this institution. As soon as possible after receiving charge of the schools, the officers of the department took steps to gain a thorough acquaintance with all of them by personal inspection, and by means of returns which the Managers were required to furnish. At the close of last year, forms of return were sent out asking for information respecting the following matters: —The number and names of the committed and non-committed children, with very full particulars concerning each of them; the income and expenditure for the year; the names, official positions, and salaries of the members of the staff at the end of the year; an account of the moneys received from, or due bj', parents or guardians under agreements or Magistrates' orders ; the number of inmates under school instruction; &c. As the registers kept by some of the Managers did not contain all the information asked for, the returns obtained respecting the children were not so complete in some instances as they are expected to be in future. A schedule of particulars respecting each child is now supplied by the police or relieving officer to the head of the institution to which the child is committed or admitted, and thus records of a uniform and complete character can be kept. A copy of the schedule will be found in Enclosure B to this memorandum. After entering the particulars in his books the master of the school transmits the schedule to the Education Department for record. Recoveby of Monet feom Paeents. The returns that were obtained showed that in only a small number of instances had maintenance orders been made against the parents of children committed to the Industrial and the Naval Training Schools; and that, even when such orders had been made, the necessary steps had not always been taken to recover payment. By the direction of the Hon. the Minister of Defence, the services of the Police Department have been made available for the more vigorous enforcement of the provisions of
* See Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1881, 8.-1., pp. 25-30. f See Nos. 3 ef seqq. in this paper, E.-6A.
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the Neglected and Criminal Children Act, and the Naval Training Schools Act, against the parents of committed children. A memorandum and circular on this subject constitute Enclosure Ato this memorandum. Already the results have been satisfactory, as the following statement of recoveries shows:—
Not only have the measures taken been the means of largely increasing the amount of recoveries from parents ; but, as another result, the master of the Caversham School reports a perceptible falling off in the number of committals of children belonging to the class most nearly affected by such proceedings. Assistance kendehed by the Police Department. It is due to Colonel Header and members of the Police Department to acknowledge the great assistance rendered by them in connection with the administration of the Neglected and Criminal Children Act and the Naval Training Schools Act. Not only as regards the recovery of moneys due by parents but also in other ways are their services readily given. For example, the masters of the industrial schools have permission to hold direct communication with the officers in charge of the different police districts with reference to the children resident within their bounds. There is no police surveillance in the ordinary sense, but by the means adopted a kindly and quiet watch is kept over a considerable number of the children who are placed out at service, or entrusted to the charge of friends and relatives, and any circumstances of an unsatisfactory character are at once reported to the masters of the schools. There is frequent correspondence between the masters and the officers of police, and the latter have ever shown themselves most willing to render all the assistance in their power.* Reasons of Committal to the Schools. The returns for last year supply, with more or less fulness, information with regard to the reasons for which the children were committed to the several schools, and the character and circumstances of the parents. The fullest information on these points is contained in the returns from Caversham and Burnham Schools. The following table, compiled from these returns, shows the reasons of committal to these two schools. The defective character of the information respecting the circumstances of the children committed to the other schools renders any summary statement in their case of little or no value.
The following are the particulars respecting the fifteen children committed as uncontrollable: One boy, "mother a widow, with a large family —very poor —boy quite uncontrollable;" two boys, " mother a widow, unable to control;" four boys, " parents of good character;" one boy, " father express-driver, mother dead, quite uncontrollable;" one boy, " father moderately steady, giving way at times to drink, mother very bad ;" one boy, " father a stonebreaker, parents unable to control him;" one boy, no information ; one girl, "father deserted wife and family, mother in lunatic asylum ; residing with friends, but became quite uncontrollable ;" one girl, " father labourer, mother dead, she has been allowed to run wild from infancy;" one girl, " both parents dead, residing with friends, but became unmanageable;" one girl, " mother in service, father dead."
* We agree with the master in thinking that it is most desirable to bring up the children in the institution as free as possible from the feeling thai they are in any way different from other children, and to carry out the idea that the master and matron are to be looked upon in the character of parents, and the institution a home. We think it would he antagonistic to this idea if they were to be placed directly under police surveillance. The present practice of the master is to encourage a correspondence between the children licensed-out and himself, and, when this correspondence is not regularly kept up, he asks the assistance of the police to make inquiry as to the satisfactory condition of the children or otherwise. This assistance has always been freely given. We find that this system has hitherto worked very satisfactorily, and should not at present be disturbed, particularly as we think it would tend to diminish the interest it is evident the master takes in the children licensed-out as well as those in the institution. The fact that there have been several instances of children licensed-out coming to the master and asking to be taken back to the school is the strongest evidence of the feeling existing between master and children. It would be advisable, with the view of facilitating the correspondence with the children and police, which, considering the number of children, is no easy task, that lithographed forms be supplied to the master; this would also enable the register of the correspondence which is kept to be more easily so kept. —Report of Commission appointed to inquire into the working and management of the Caversham Industrial School. (See Appendix, Journal of the House of Representatives, H.-Ih., 1880, page 3,)
Name of School. 1880 September Quarter. 1880 December Quarter. 1881. March Quarter. 1881. June Quarter. Totals. Surnham Industrial School Javersham Industrial School f aval Training School £ a. d. 18 3 0 30 7 0 13 15 6 £ s. d. 68 16 0 45 8 6 41 15 6 £ s. d. 67 2 6 72 0 0 30 5 0 £ s. d. 122 15 7 54 8 11 26 19 0 £ s. d. 276 17 1 202 4 5 112 15 0 Totals ... 62 5 6 156 0 0 169 7 6 204 3 6 591 16 6
Cara 'sham Sci 100I. ! Bun iliam School. Total. Reasons of Committal. Boys. Girls. 175 Total, i Boys. Girls. I Total. I 30 I 99 Boys. Girls. Total. feglected. —Under varied circumstances ... „ Found in a brothel, or living with mother known to be a prostitute ... Iharged with, larceny Incontrollable... Jamaging property 109 66 69 178 96 274 23 20 2 34 5 3 57 25 5 18 16 9 3 20 38 5 21 1 : 10 ... j 3 41 36 11 3 54 10 4 95 46 15 3 Total number of inmates on December 31,1880... 154 ... | 262 i 115 56 ! 171 269 164 108 433
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Characters of Parents of Children Committed for Larceny. The following table contains a classification of the parents of the children committed to Caversham and Burnham Schools for larceny:—
It is reported of many of the children committed for larceny that they had become uncontrollable. The following entries in the registers are of this nature : —" Father dead ; the boy beyond control of mother." " Father a seaman; leaves his wife and family to do the best they can. The mother a respectable woman, but could not control her son, who is a thief and sleeps from home." "The father is a tailor, poor, with large family; the boy a thief, and thoroughly beyond parents' control." An attempt is made by means of the following table to classify all the inmates of the Caversham and Burnham'Schools according to the character and circumstances of the parents at the date of committal :—■
The preceding classification brings out the fact that 313 committals may fairly ba attributed, in_ a greater or less degree, to the misconduct of the parents; and 96 committals, to misfortune or mismanagement; there being 24 cases respecting which no information is received. However uninviting the subject, it may prove of service to reveal the depths from which very many of these children have been rescued by means of the industrial schools. The following are some of the entries in the registers of admission: Two girls, aged nine and six years, " mother a brothel-keeper sent to gaol for one month, hence the children committed to the school," for six and seven years respectively; a girl, eleven years old," father dead, mother described by the police to be ' one of the lowest abandoned women in Dunedin;' " a girl, five years old, " mother landed in Dunedin, pregnant, five years ago; she became a prostitute and died a short time ago; the child has no friends;" two boys, aged nine and six years,
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Caversham. Burnhal Total. Character of Parents of Children charged with Larceny. Boys. Girls. Total. Boys. Girls. Total. Boys. Girls. Total. Both respectable, or nothing known against them Father dead or deserted ; mother respectable Father drunkard ; mother of good character Father respectable ; mother deserted Father deaerted ; mother dead Maori Father deserted ; mother of very bad character Father and mother drunkards Father noted for villainy N"o information 9 7 1 9 7 1 1 1 1 4 1 8 1 4 1 12 2 ! 17 ! 8 1 4 1 21 9 1 1 1 1 5 1 1 5 i l i l "i 2 2 1 "i 1 i 3 "2 1 i 5 1 5 1 "i I 5 Total... 20 5 25 16 5 21 ; se 10 46
Cavers sham. Burn] 1 am. Tol .al. Information respecting the Parents at time of Children's Committal. II •s a Childri Numb 1 Childi er :en. CTumbei Childrf Kemarks. of >n. of m. Father. Mother. Boys. Girls. Total. Boys Girls Total. II Boys. Girls. Total. 7"ery bad character Deserted STo information ... Deserted Hckly and poor ... Dead ... Pery bad character Drunkard 3ad character, or deserted i?ery bad character Sickly and poor ... Dead ... Deserted Deserted Deserted Very bad character Very bad character Very bad character Deserted Very bad character Very bad character Dead ... In lunatic asylum In hospital 8 24 19 16 1 8 7 1 2 10 25 10 13 1 5 12 1 5 6 16 10 9 14 1 1 1 16 41 20 22 1 19 13 2 6 21 8 8 10 "7 10 19 4 6 9 io 14 16 8 8 5 2 6 35 12 14 14 12 20 29 32 27 26 1 15 17 1 2 29 29 16 22 1 15 26 1 5 22 24 18 14 16 7 1 1 51 53 84 86 1 31 33 2 6 •AS S 3 £ £■§ 8 9 O 03 S-3 P< "a 9 i»! d> ° O Jl-8 I* a-s Believed respectable Deserted Deserted Dead ... In lunatic asylum Believed respectable 6 1 4 1 4 3 8 4 1 1 1 7 1 1 16 5 13 5 1 1 15 2 12 4 3 9 4 1 28 9 15 13 5 11 12 2 10 12 7 3 24 9 13 1 3 1 3 1 i 4 18 7 3 2 2 2 [n lunatic asylum In lunatic asylum In lunatic asylum In lunatic asylum Dead ... Respectable Dead ... Dead ... Poor, but respectable Believed respectable 3 4 2 2 4 6 2 4 4 2 8 8 2 6 2 1 1 2 5 4 2 2 1 15 5 9 19 5 6 2 4 2 8 10 8 21 5 2 10 8 2 6 9 it; J6 11 24 i« |1 S o 2"§ 3 d £* lie |aa Poor ... Dead ... !n lunatic asylum [n lunatic asylum Dead ... Poor ... Dead ... 3elieved respectable Vtaori ... 12 3 4 8 5 7 4 10 2 8 4 1 13 11 5 10 1 3 2 5 11 2 3 3 4 11 2 2 3 2 3 5 6 14 2 8 6 3 3 Maori ... 1 1 1 1 1 1 !f o information ... No information ... 19 22 2 24 19 22 2 24 Total on December 31, 1880 161 154 108 262 114 115 56 171 275 269 164 433
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'' father deserted his family, the mother a low drunken prostitute of good education;" a boy, ten years old, " found in a brothel, father deserted his wife and family, mother a low drunken prostitute ;" a boy, ten years old, " father a convicted thief, father and mother both in gaol;" a girl, ten years old, " living in a brothel, father keeps a brothel in Christchurch, at present in gaol.;" a girl, six years old, " father a drunkard, keeps open house for prostitutes." Nearly every one of the mothers stated in the table to be of very bad character is described in the registers as a " low, drunken prostitute." Poemeb Inmates. At the close of 1880, the aggregate number of committed children placed out under license, whose terms of committal had not expired, was 235. The number of non-committed children at service or with friends, but still under the care of the school authorities, at the end of the year, was 43. The schools to which these children belong, and other particulars, are stated on pages 27 and 28 of the Education Eeport. The children, when placed out, are not lost sight of by the school authorities. In almost all cases friendly intercourse is kept up between them and the heads of the schools, as may be seen by a perusal of the many interesting letters which are received from the children by their former masters or teachers. The report from Mr. Titchener, master of the Oaversham Industrial School, refers to the frequent visits paid to the school by former inmates, many of whom are now men and women in respectable positions. In the same report, which is dated 7th February, 1881, Mr. Titchener says: "I know of but one case of any former inmate having fallen back into criminal habits, that of a boy who is now an inmate of the Dunedin gaol; as also is his father. The crime in this case would appear to be hereditary, both father and mother having been of the criminal class from Tasmania." Yet even this case does not appear to be an altogether hopeless one, and the good influences of the school do not seem to have yet lost their hold of this youth ; for in a recent communication Mr. Titchener reports as follows respecting him: "You remember the boy J G . He came out of gaol last Saturday evening, and came out to me on Sunday. He begged me to assist him, and said he was very sorry that ever he ran away from school. I gave him £2, and sent him up the country to a situation. He left here on Tuesday last." A brother of the same youth was formerly an inmate of the school. He conducted himself with credit, both while in the school and after he was licensed out to service. His term expired a year or two ago. In reply to inquiries recently made respecting him, the police reported that he is a steady, sober, and respectable young man, and earning an honest livelihood in an up-country district. The Minister has authorised the payment to him of the money he earned during his term of committal—£lß 18s. 9d.* The writer of this memorandum is able from personal knowledge to corroborate the statement made by Mr. Titchener, as to the general good conduct of the former inmates, and can bear witness to the maryellous transformation of character which, in not a few instances, has been effected through the many good influences which pervade the school. Eaenings of the Childben". Reference is made in some of the reports to the earnings of the children who have been placed at service. The practise is to deposit in the Post Office Savings Bank the balance of the children's wages, after defraying the cost of clothing and other expenses. The payment of the money, with accumulated interest, is contingent on good conduct. The boys usually receive theirs on reaching manhood, and on satisfying the school authorities that the money will be properly disposed of. The girls' money is usually paid to them on their marriage. Pour young women, formerly inmates of the Caversham School, were married in the course of 1881, and received in the aggregate from the savings bank the sum of £56 Is. 7d. A young woman, formerly an inmate of Burnham School, had to leave her situation recently on account of serious illness. She has been permitted to draw her savings (£l6 11s. Bd.) from the bank, to defray the cost of board, lodging, and medical attendance. Mr. Wallis, in his report on the Motueka Orphanage, shows the advantages to some of his former children of having deposits in the savings bank. At the close of 1881, there were 103 former inmates of the Caversham School who had deposits in the savings bank, amounting in the aggregate to £1,010. One young man had £79 2s. 9d. to his credit. Three young women had each deposits of upwards of £20. The amount to the credit of twenty-one former inmates of the Burnham School, at the same date, was £153 6s. 3d. Education Department, Wellington, 29th July, 1881. Jomr Hislop.
Enclosure A in No. 1. The Hon. the Minister of Education. I hate obtained very full information up to 31st December, 1880, respecting the inmates of the industrial schools, and. I am surprised at the very small number of children in whose cases orders for maintenance-money have been made against parents. Out of 124 children in the Burnham School, there are only 28 in respect of whom orders have been made. I know that in a large number of instances it would be impossible to obtain payment from parents even when their residence is known to the authorities; but most certainly an effort ought to be made to compel as many as possible to pay something towards their children's maintenance when in the industrial school.
* Since the above waB written, the following report has been received respecting these young men: " T ■ Gr called at the school yesterday. I handed him the sum of £18 18s. 9d. He was well dressed, and riding his own horse. He is still in the employ of the person to whom he was licensed in 1875, and is now getting 20s. a week, and found. He informs me that his brother is working as a miner at , and making £2 per week. You remember J ,he absconded from the school in 1876, and shortly afterwards received five years' hard labour. He called on me the first day after he came out of gaol. I gave him £2 to take him to his brother—which sum his brother duly paid yesterday."
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I venture to submit that all the parents of children committed to industrial schools should be placed under police surveillance for the following among other reasons—namely: (1.) Although some parents may not be able to contribute towards their children's maintenance at the time of committal, yet their circumstances may so improve afterwards as to render them able to do so; and in every such case the police authorities should be prepared to apply for a maintenance order under section 24 of " The Neglected and Criminal Children Act, 1867." (2 ) In most cases the feelings of those whose children are maintained at the public expense in industrial schools deserve no consideration; and the least possible inducement should be held out to mean and worthless parents to throw the burden of their children's maintenance upon the State. I recommend, therefore, that the Hon. the Defence Minister be requested to direct that careful inquiries be made in the several Constabulary districts respecting the parents of the children whose names and circumstances are given in the attached lists, and that summonses be served on as many of them as possible under section 24 of " The Neglected and Criminal Children Act, 1867," and also that the other steps authorised by sections 2-1 to 28 of the said Act be taken for the recovery of moneys due for maintenance. I have prepared lists, to the best of my knowledge, for the several Constabulary districts in which the children were residing when committed; but, owing to the defective manner in which the school records have been kept, especially at Burnham, it is quite possible that some of the names are in the wrong list. It would be of great advantage towards the keeping of a complete record of all cases if the Constabulary Department were to supply reports at stated times—say half-yearly—as to the results of the inquiries and the other proceedings taken under the Act of 1867. Education Department, Wellington, 10th February, 1881. John Hislop.
Payments by Pauents under " The Neglected and Criminal Children Act, 1867." In carrying out the request of the Hon. the Minister of Education, contained in Mr. Hislop's memorandum of 10th February, 1881, formerly circulated, it has been found that, owing to Magistrates' orders against parents for maintenance-money not having been enforced in a number of instances, very large arrears have been allowed to accumulate, and that it is now practically impossible in most of such cases to obtain payment of the whole or even a portion of the arrears. Inspectors and other officers in charge of police districts, when taking any such cases before the Court, are directed to exercise their own discretion in reducing or altogether foregoing the claim for payment of arrears whenever it shall appear to them that the adoption of such a course would be likely to insure a satisfactory judgment from the Bench, and to obtain security for regular payment in future of the amount which had been ordered to be paid. Wellington, 13th April, 1881. H. E. Readee, Commissioner.
Enclosure B in No. 1. Hon. Mr. Dick. Owing to the defective nature of the information sometimes furnished to masters of industrial schools, orphanages, Ac, respecting the children committed or admitted to them, I have prepared the attached schedule, with a view to facilitate the obtaining of the fullest possible information respecting such children, and their parents or other relatives. I recommend that supplies of the schedule be furnished to the Defence Department, with a request that the Hon. the Defence Minister would cause them to be distributed among the members of the Constabulary Force. 10th April, 1881. John Hislop.
[Schedule.] Particulars respecting a Child committed (or admitted) to the School at Name in full: . Age: . Date of committal or admission : . Period for which committed or admitted : . Amount ordered or agreed to be paid for maintenance: . By whom payable: . Nature and date of security (if any) for payment: . Religion in which to be brought up: . School (if any) last attended : . Degree of education (If the child has attended a public school, the standard in which it was classified will be the best description): . With whom living before committal or admission, and the relationship: . Where living before committal or admission : . By what Court, or by whose order or authority committed or admitted: . Circumstances which led to committal or admission: . Name, residence, occupation, and circumstances of father; or of mother if father dead or unknown; or of nearest relative or friend in other cases : . Character of above : . Any other information bearing on the case that it may be desirable to place on record. In cases where no payment for maintenance can be enforced the reason should be stated: Place: . Date: . (Signature of officer furnishing the above information.)
Committals to Industrial Schools, fyc. —Memorandum. —Members of the Constabulary Force concorned in the committal or admission of any child to an industrial school, naval training school, or orphanage, are directed to be careful to fill up, as fully and accurately as possible, a copy of the schedule of particulars herewith in respect to such child, and to forward the same without delay to the master of the institution to which the child is sent. Wellington, 12th April, 1881. H, E. Eeadee.
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No. 2. The Inspectoe-G-eneeal of Schools to the Hon. the Ministee of Education. The Hon. the Minister of Education. The enclosed extract, from a circular recently issued by the Howard Association, describes a method of dealing with juvenile offenders which is not only new, but is also apparently the most reasonable, humane, and effectual that has ever been proposed. "Wellington, 11th August, 1881. Wit. Jas. Habens.
Enclosure in No. 2. Massachusetts and Juvenile Offenders. —State Agents. The Howard Association has just been furnished (through the courtesy of two of its American correspondents) with the proceedings of a " Conference of Charities and Corrections" held at Cleveland, Ohio, in July, 1880, and published at Boston, U.S. One portion of this document describes the Massachusetts mode of dealing with juvenile offenders, which is probably the best system in the world, as tested by results. A very brief outline may be of public interest. From 1846 to 1866, Massachusetts established several State reformatories, and industrial schools for criminal and neglected children. These and similar institutions proved advantageous. But it became manifest that even such good things as reformatory and industrial institutions involved some danger of collateral disadvantage (as in this country), such as, for example, a risk of relieving vicious parents of their natural obligations, and of pauperizing both them and their children at the expense of the honest taxpayer ; and, further, of training young persons in large masses in ignorance of many of the lessons to be imparted only by virtuous family life. Hence, in 1869 and 1870, the Massachusetts Legislature, with a special view to more preventive effort, committed the general care of juvenile offenders to a special State Agency, acting as follows: Every complaint against any boy or girl under the age of seventeen must, before being brought into any Court, be-first laid in writing before the State agent, or one of his assistants, for investigation. When the case comes into Court (and special portions of the time in Courts are exclusively devoted to juvenile cases), the agent, or sub-agent, attends personally to act for the State as watcher, counsel, advocate, or prosecutor, according as the circumstances require. If the complaint is a first charge against the offender, and for a light offence, nothing follows but a simple admonition or the passing of a suspended sentence, a small fine for costs being however enforced, if needful, on the parents of the child, if not an orphan. If there appears to be a prospect that the child will need some further restraint or influence than its existing caretakers seem likely to exercise, the agent requests (and obtains from the Court) a sentence of probation for a given time, he undertaking (for the State) to bring up the young offender again, if needful, and meanwhile to watch over him and devise measures for his benefit. Such sentence of probation formally places the child under the oversight of the State agent, but the child still continues at home. The term is renewed when needful. But in cases where there is reason to apprehend an utter absence in future of suitable home care or restraint for the child complained of, the agent is authorised by the Court to take it away, for the State, and to put it entirely at the disposal of the Massachusetts Board of Health, Lunacy, and Charity. This body usually places its young wards in private families, on the boarding-out system, under due official conditions and with regular supervision. This course is almost always tried before having resort to a reformatory or industrial school. But the latter is used where boarding-out appears insufficient in disciplinary influence. Knally, where the subject of this care proves too intractable for a reformatory, then, and only as a last means of control, a prison is resorted to. But so efficient are the successive stages of admonition, probation, boarding-out, and reformatory found to be, that it is reported that rarely are any children now sent to gaol in Massachusetts. This system has been carried into operation without any laxity or impunity to juvenile offenders. Eor, in the first place, more than 75 per cent, of all the children brought before Courts in Massachusetts are convicted. Yet only about one-fifth of these convicted ones are sent into other homes or institutions of any kind, and only one-ninth to the State schools or reformatories. Nearly one-third of all the convicted ones are put on " probation." About one in twenty is committed by formal witnesses to the custody of the State Board of Health, Lunacy, and Charity. This Board, as already mentioned, chiefly disposes of its young wards by placing them out in carefully selected homes, under the regular supervision of unpaid but officially appointed visitors. These visitors include, for the oversight of girls in particular, fifty ladies, each of whom acts under the authority of a warrant from the Chairman of the Board. Their services are most valuable. The Volunteer Visitors, in subordination to the paid State Agency, find suitable homes for the children (and there are many such to be found), and then, by their oversight, increase the efficiency of the influence of those homes. Both the moral and economical results of this system are remarkably satisfactory. Only one-tenth of the children sentenced to " probation " reappear before a Court within a twelvemonth, and very few at all in after years. There were, in 1880, three hundred fewer juvenile offenders under State care in Massachusetts than in 1870, notwithstanding the increase of population in the decade. The two school ships have been given up, as reformatories, and sold. The number of children in the reformatories and industrial schools has also diminished by 50 per cent. And meanwhile there have been very few juvenile committals to prisons. The criminal and neglected children of the State cost upwards of £10,000 (52,000 dols.) more in 1869 than ten years later, in 1879. (These facts and figures are quoted chiefly from one of the State School Superintendents, Mr. G. Tufts.) It is added that the chief part of this economy, prevention, and reformation results from keeping the children out of the " institutions " of all kinds, and securing their better oversight, either in their own homes, or in adopted ones. The report remarks "Almost all juvenile offenders are found to be without homes, or healthful home influences. Earely does one come from a good family."
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The results of "probation " and of State agents have been so remarkably successful with juvenile offenders that Massachusetts has recently enacted a law to apply the same principle to the treatment of adult misdemeanants. [The city of New York has (but by voluntary and unofficial agents) materially checked juvenile crime by a wholesale emigration of destitute and deserted children to the Western States. During the last twenty-five years it has thus boarded out 51,000 children, at a cost of £600,000. To this is mainly attributed the result, in New York City, that the number of girl thieves has diminished by onehalf in that period, whilst the number of boy offenders has been greatly held in check. But the New York system is objected to, in certain quarters, on the ground that the emigrated children are insufficiently protected in some cases, and that in other instances they become sources of demoralization to Western homes. However, even if there be some foundation for this complaint, the great preponderance of the scheme is for good, both to New York, to the West, and to the children.] The Massachusetts system is preventive and also repressive, or punitory, where needed. It is both more complete and more successful than that of New York, being provided with an array of legal arrangements for authoritative supervision and control. It may, at the present time especially, be studied with profit by this country, for it solves problems still unsolved here. It points to the great superiority of the prevention of juvenile crime rather than its repression. It proves that systematic individualization, at home or in selected households, but under authority, is far more effectual for the diminution of crime than either the reformatory, or even the industrial school, or training-ship, or the birch, to say nothing of the gaol, which is now all but an obsolete institution for children in the fine old " Bay State." It is thus made a special aim to aid and direct the primary principle of parental responsibility by means of a kindly but authoritative influence, that of the State agent. The negligent parent is not abandoned to mere punishment, or mere ignorance, but is advised, guided, and supervised by the State agent. The main object is that the parent shall be induced to do as much as possible of his own duty. Failing that, he is compelled to do so, if practicable. But, in any case, the child is secured from neglect and vicious training. This system is less lenient than the English practice is, with the too-considerable class of parents who deliberately pauperize or cruelly ill-treat their offspring. At a Metropolitan union school it was lately stated that a certain beggar woman was, every few days or weeks, taking her children out for mendicancy or revelry, and then immediately claiming their legal re-admission for other brief periods. Massachusetts permits, neither to the beggar nor the pauper, such vicious, costly folly as this. Every child that she once has before her Courts, even on the slightest charge, is effectually "put through" by future State oversight. Parental responsibility is insisted on where possible ; but, if not available, the parent forfeits future control over the child. Again, Massachusetts teaches us that even those good things, institutions for children, whether industrial schools, or pauper district schools, or training-ships, may advantageously be exchanged (at least in great degree) for still better things—namely, for increased home oversight, or family adoption, or emigration. With us, a pauper child, or a juvenile offender, costs from £20 to £40 per annum, and even then its future becomes dubious, and often as costly still. By " probation," by boarding-out, or by emigration, a payment equivalent to less than one year's maintenance in an institution may often insure life-long independence of the tax-payer. Lastly, this system illustrates a specially successful combination of official authority and direction, with the advantages of voluntary and unpaid oversight of the youthful wards of the State. The disadvantages of the one without the other, in either direction, are in great degree avoided. The board-ing-out system, for example, has been a marked success in those parts of Great Britain where suitable provisions have been made for the systematic visitation and oversight of the children (pauper girls and orphans) placed out. But where this essential condition has been neglected, evils have ensued. Massachusetts secures responsible and systematic supervision by unpaid voluntary visitors, but also by their official authority, and by their own oversight, in turn, by a responsible State Board.
No. 3. Auckland Society foe the Belief of Neglected and Destitute Childbed (Howe Steeei1 Oephan Home.) 1. Extracts from the Bules and Regulations. The object of the society is the support, instruction, and industrial training of children of the following descriptions : — (a.) Children abandoned by their parents, or left without friends and protection. (J.) Children, the offspring of parents either or both of whom may, from profligate habits, or conviction for felony, be unable to support and unfit to educate them; or who, for other causes, may surrender them to the care of the society, (c.) Children who, coming within any of the clauses above enumerated, may, according to " The Neglected and Criminal Children Act, 1867," be compulsorily placed in the Home. 2. No child shall be admitted into the Home who shall be suffering from any contagious, infectious, or cutaneous disease. 3. No child shall be admitted into the Home of an age younger than four years, unless in case of emergency, to be decided by the Executive Committee. 4<. No child shall be admitted into the Home, or allowed to leave it, or shall be dismissed from it, unless by order of the Executive Committee, excepting as provided by the aforesaid Act. 5. So soon as any child shall have attained sufficient age and capacity, the Executive Committee shall take the necessary steps to have such child suitably provided for.
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2. Eleventh Annual Report, Tear ending 31st March, 1881. The Committee regret that they cannot meet the friends and subscribers of the Home with the usual report of successful working and satisfactory progress. They have had much to contend with, much to disappoint and discourage —and their duties have been both onerous and unpleasant. But, recognizing that the work of the society is one of charity and necessity, and, trusting that God's blessing will follow a persistence in well-doing, they do not shrink from a continuance of their labours, if the institution is to be maintained on its present footing and if their services are still desired, and provided the public and the Government render that support and assistance, without which all their efforts will be in vain and useless. The history of the Home during the past year has been brought fully before the public in the local press ; but it is well that a short summary of the principal events should be placed upon its records. Soon after the last annual meeting, representations strongly animadverting on the management of the institution, were made by influential parties both to the Government and in the papers ; and the Committee, recognizing that statements proceeding from such a source could not be slighted or ignored, recommended the Government to appoint a Commission of Inquiry ; and, after a lengthened investigation, the Commissioner, though exculpating the master from the more serious complaints preferred against him, reported unfavourably of his general fitness for the charge of such an institution, and Mr. Stickley tendered his resignation. The Committee then appointed Mr. and Mrs. Harvey as master and matron. They had recently arrived in the colony, with good testimonials, and professed a strong desire to be engaged in such work. They took charge of the children, who were at Motuihi, about the middle of December, and soon afterwards discovered that immoral practices between the elder boys and girls had been carried on for a considerable period. An independent inquiry was instituted by a sub-Com-mittee, which corroborated the reports and implicated some other parties ; and the evidence taken was placed in the hands of the Commissioner of Police for further investigation, and one of the parties was Drought to trial and punished. The Committee feeling that, without better means of separating the sexes,.they were not secure from a recurrence of the evil, took the further step of sending out to service all boys over twelve years of age, and such of the girls as could be suitably placed ; thus materially reducing the number of the inmates. They very much regret to add, that, though Mr. Harvey had done good service in bringing to light the existence of so great an evil, yet he proved in many other respects so unsuitable for the charge of the institution that the Committee were compelled to remove him. They have now engaged Mr. and Mrs. Hogan, on trial, and from their antecedents and excellent character, as well as from the present appearance of things at the Home, they think they have found the right persons for the position. On reviewing the events of the past year, the Committee have come to the conclusion that they have been attempting more than their limited means and the accommodation at the Home will admit. Unlike most other parts of the colony, the Provincial Government of Auckland was never able to spare funds for the erection of suitable buildings, where boys and girls could be properly brought up together. The Home was originally intended as an immigration barrack, and the grounds are too limited to furnish separate places of recreation for the two sexes, and, though during the last four or five years a considerable sum has been collected and spent in making additions and repairs, yet the buildings are quite inadequate; it is difficult to keep them clear of the vermin that infests them, and they are insufficient and vinsuited for the maintenance and training of all those children of this large district who stand in need of a home and refuge. Another great hindrance is the want of a reformatory for the reception of criminal children. Such an institution is provided for in " The Neglected and Criminal Children Act, 1867," but has never been established, and the Magistrates, rather than send juvenile offenders to prison, commit them to the Home, where their bad example and evil communications work most injuriously on the other inmates, so that absconding and petty thefts have become common offences. At the beginning of the year, before the Committee had any suspicion of the bad practices that have since been disclosed, they represented to the Government the necessity of providing a reformatory, either at Auckland or in some central part of the colony, and were informed in reply that the whole question of these institutions was under consideration. The Committee have also found themselves compelled to receive a number of infant children, though contrary to the rules of the society ; but no other provision could be made for them : the cases were urgent, and there was no alternative ; and considerable trouble and additional expense have been incurred in their care and maintenance. It is currently reported that it is the intention of the Government to introduce Bills) into the Assembly for the general regulation of all institutions of this character throughout the colony, and that a trial will be made of the boarding-out system. The Committee offer no opinion on this latter question, as they are divided on the subject: and, as they cannot rely on any material alteration of the present system being made by the Legislature, they now invite the society to express their confidence in the management, and to strengthen their hands, by passing resolutions to the following effect: —(1.) Urging the immediate establishment of a reformatory. (2.) Calling for such improvement in the buildings at the Home as will enable both boys and girls to be properly maintained, and place the institution on an equal footing with those in other parts of the colony. (3.) Asking for an endowment in land, to aid in the maintenance of the Home. And (4.) Pledging their continued support to the Committee in carrying out the original objects of the society. Statistics. —The statistics for the year ending 31st March, 1881, are as follows:— Boya. Girls. Total. In the Home, 31st March, 1880 ... ... ... ... 77 31 108 Admitted during the year— By order of Magistrates ... ... ... ... 17 5 22 ~ Believing Officer ... ... ... 2 3 5 „ Executive Committee ... ... ... 5 5 10 Total ... ... ... ... 101 44 145
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Discharged during the year — Boys. Girls. Total. To service ... ... ... ... ... 17 5 22 Parents ... ... ... ... ... 24 5 29 Convent ... ... ... ... 2 2 Absconded ... ... ... ... ... 2 ... 2 Total ... ... ... ... 43 12 55 In the Home on 31st March, 1881 ... ... ... 58 32 90 Of these there are — ■ — — — Committed by Magistrates ... ... ... ... 43 27 70 Admitted by'BelieviDg Officer ... ... ... 9 3 12 „ Executive Committee ... ... ... 6 2 8 Total ... ... ... 58 32 90 The numbers of children at service who are still under the legal control of the Home are 24 boys and 13 girls; and 4 boys and 1 girl hare been permitted to return to their parents, subject to the supervision of the police. The ages of the children now in the Home are as follows : — Boys. GKrls. Total. From two to four years ... ... ... ... 1 1 2 Prom four to six years ... ... ... ... 10 4 14 From six to eight years ... ... ... ... 10 5 15 From eight to ten years ... ... ... ... 7 5 12 From ten to twelve years ... ... ... ... ... 19 7 26 From twelve to fourteen years ... ... ... ... 7 9 16 Over fourteen years ... ... ... ... ... 4 1 5 Total ... ... ... ... 58 32 90 Finances. —The voluntary contributions have not equalled those of last year by a little more than £100, and, as no large sum has been needed for repairs, the accounts show a smail balance credit of £30; but subscriptions are much needed for the current expenditure, which exceeds the Government grant by over £30 each month. It is impossible to make an accurate estimate of the average cost of clothing, food, &c, as compared with last year, as there has been great variation in the number of children during the latter part of this period ; but the total cost of clothing has been less by over £100. The number of depositors in the savings bank is 30, and the total amount deposited is £134 2s. 2d. Health. —The health of the children has been generally good, the trip to Motuihi having helped considerably to cure the cutaneous disease, which has almost entirely disappeared. It must be confessed that, in general appearance, the children do not compare favourably with those of some other institutions, but it must be borne in mind that a number of them are of a very low type, and are often brought to the Home in a most wretched and filthy condition, and that months and even years of care can scarcely eradicate the effects of hereditary taint, and of early neglect, and lack of any wholesome training; but there is every reason to believe that, under the present management, the children will be brought up to strictly cleanly habits, and that a manifest change will soon be apparent in their physique. The warm thanks of the Committee are due to Dr. Purchas for his gratuitous and unremitting attention to the health of the inmates. Ladies' Committee. —The Ladies' Committee have had a most difficult task to perform during the past year, and great credit is due to them for maintaining their position and steadily insisting on a due observance of their instructions and suggestions. They have been indefatigable in making up the clothing of the children, having completed during the year no less than 469 different articles of wearing apparel and bedding requisites. Mrs. Neale has not slackened her usual efforts in raising funds for the institution, and has succeeded in collecting the sum of £148 7s. 6d., slightly exceeding what she raised last year, which, under the present circumstances of the Home, implies an amount of energy and persistence that is most praiseworthy. Instruction. —The day-school has been continued under the auspices of the Board of Education, and the children attending it are thoroughly well taught by Miss Barton and her assistants. The Sunday-school has also been in operation throughout the year, except during the absence of the children at Motuihi. The only industrial training the children have received has been in necessary household work, with some instruction in shoemaking to the elder boys. In conclusion, the Committee express their cordial thanks to all those friends of the Home who hare assisted them with their contributions, and especially to those who have given their countenance and support during the difficulties that have been encountered; also to the directors of the Union Steam Shipping Company, for a most pleasant picnic to Motutapu. Nothing could exceed the kindness and attention of Captain Carey and the officers of the splendid vessel "Te Anau," to the comfort and amusement of the children; the only regret was that their old friend Captain Logan could not be present at the pleasure party.
Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st March, 1881. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s . (J. To Balance from last year ... ... 181 6 1 By Food ... ... ... ... 740 4 1 Amount receired from G-eneral Government 1,246 5 8 Clothing, boots, &c. ... ... ... 272 3 4 Voluntary subscriptions and donations ... 293 14 6 Coals, firewood, gas, and water ... ... 128 15 11 Boys in Home ... ... ... 28 9 0 Salaries and wages ... ... ... 279 4, 8 Proceeds of tank, &c. ... ... ... 818 3 Repairs to building ... ... ... 174 0 5 Sundries, including expenses to Motuihi ... 137 6 6 Balance in Bank of Australasia... ... 26 18 7 £1,758 13 6 ■ £1,758~13~~6~ Auckland, 12th May, 1881. A. Stewabt, Hon. Treasurer. Examined and found correct —ThoS. MaoeeAEIANB, Deputy-Auditor.
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3. Extracts from Reports of the Inspector-General of Schools. I have visited the Auckland Industrial Home. It has lately been put under the charge of a new manager —Mr. Hogan —in whom the Committee place considerable confidence. I am sorry to find that the itch is not eradicated. I saw several young children in a sad state with it. Ido not think the health of the inmates can ever be very good until better arrangements are made for their diet. When I held an inquiry last year into the working of the institution, I found that, owing to defects in the kitchen-range, it had been for months impossible to cook a dinner in any other form but that of soup. Some little unsatisfactory repairs have been made, but still the daily diet is soup, and so it will be till a proper stove is obtained. The Committee say they are too poor to attend to this matter as it ought to be attended to. Can Government give them £15 towards getting a good range ? I believe £20 would do the work well, and £30 would suffice for range, hot plates, and a boiler that would supply the baths.* I have again pointed out the danger of letting children sleep exposed to moonlight for want of blinds, and have complained of the absence of pillows. Auckland, 24th May, 1881. Wm. Jas. Habens.
Howe Street Industrial Home. —l fear that the usefulness of the institution is considerably impaired by the recent determination to send out all boys above twelve years old, whether morally and educationally fit to go out or not. I have reported on this institution separately. 30th May, 1881. ______________ M- JaS- Habbns-
No. 4 St. Stephen's Oephan Home, Paehell. 1. Extracts from the Rules and Regulations. The object of the Orphan Home is to provide for the maintenance and education of orphans and destitute children. 2. The religious training of the children received into the Orphan Home shall be in accordance with the doctrine and discipline of the Church, of England, but children of all denominations are admissible. 3. The management of the Orphan Home, and the charge and disposal of the funds belonging to it, shall be vested in a Board, consisting of the clergy and parishioners' churchwardens of St. Paul's, St. Matthew's, St. Mary's, St. Sepulchre's, and All Saints', and six other persons to be elected at an annual general meeting of the subscribers. 13. No child shall be admitted into the Orphan Home, or discharged from it, except by the authority of the Board of Management. 14. If, upon application being made by any person for the removal of a child from the Orphan Home, the Board shall be satisfied, after due inquiry, that it will not be for the benefit of the child to comply with the application, the Board may retain the child in the Home until some eligible application for its removal be made. 15. No child shall be admitted under two or over nine years of age, unless in peculiar cases, to be decided by the Board of Management. 16. No child shall be admitted into the Home without a certificate from the medical officer to the effect that he or she is free from all contagious or infectious disorders. 23. A regular medical attendant shall be appointed by the Board of Management, whose duty it shall be to visit the Home from time to time, and to report to the Board of Management monthly as to the state of health of the inmates, and also to suggest any improvements from time to time that may seem to him necessary in the sanitary arrangements of the institution.
2.— Twenty-first Annual Report, Year ending %lst Ifarch, 1881. The Board of Management have again to congratulate the subscribers on the successful working of the Institution. During the past year the largest number in the Home at one time has been sixtyfour. There are now fifty-eight inmates, as against sixty-one at the commencement of the sessional year. One boy and three girls have been placed out at service, whilst six children have been removed by their relatives. The income for the past year amounted to £827 13s. 10d., and the expenditure to £938 13s. 3d., for particulars of which the subscribers are referred to the Treasurer's statement of account. The health of the children has been generally good. One child has been ill from fever, but prompt remedial measures fortunately prevented an extension of the sickness to any other of the children. The subscribers will be pleased to learn that one of the boys has, on the recommendation of the Bishop of Auckland, been admitted a pupil of the Parnell Grammar School, the Board agreeing to provide his board and lodging, whilst the Masonic Lodge Ara devote the interest of their Orphans' Fund towards his clothing and other requirements. The Board have pleasure in recording that two of the Bishop's prizes for this year to Sunday-school scholars have been awarded, in connection with St. Mary's, Parnell, to two late scholars at the Home. With a view to securing greater regularity and method in the Home, and a more complete visitorial oversight, the Board have recently revised the time-table and dietary scale (the latter with the approval of the honorary medical officer), and have defined more explicitly the duties appertaining to the office of visiting members of Committees. During the past year the sanitary condition of the Home has undergone a thorough and searching supervision. The Board believes that now the Institution will compare favourably in that respect with any similar one in the colony, The Board have also found it advisable to have the paddock thoroughly drained, ploughed, and laid down in good grass. This work is now nearly finished, under the able supervision of Mr. Barton Ireland, one of the members of the Board, who, in addition to bestowing a great amount of time and trouble in the matter, as also in the drainage of the Home, has very liberally given the sum of £20 towards
* Government has since granted a sum of £68 10s. to pay for cooking-range, fire-hose, and other articles reported by {he Committee as being necessary.
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the object. The Board take this opportunity to express the obligation which they and the subscribers are under to Mr. Ireland for his services and liberality. The Board during last winter applied to the Auckland Gas Company to have gas laid on for use in the Home; but, on account of' the few other demands for gas in that neighbourhood, the directors of the Gas Company did not comply with the Board's request. As the Board consider it very desirable that the Home should have the advantage of gaslight, they intend to renew their application next winter, when they hope they will be more successful. During the past year the Home has been inspected on behalf of the Government by Dr. Skae, Inspector of Asylums, and by John Hislop, Esq., Secretary of the Education Department. Both these gentlemen were pleased to express their approval of the management and general arrangement of the institution, and especially remarked upon the frank manners and happy and healthy appearance of the children. The Board beg to tender their hearty thanks to those ladies who have so kindly, and with such self-denial, canvassed the various parishes and districts of the diocese for subscriptions in aid of the funds of the institution. They would also tender the like thanks to the clergy, for the trouble they have taken in organizing and reporting the results of such canvass. At the same time, the Board would respectfully recommend the Home and its object to the favourable consideration and support of the clergy and churchmen of the outlying parishes and districts, very few, comparatively, of whom give it that substantial support to which it is entitled. The Board are fully aware of the difficulties and struggles attendant on new a^d rising settlements, in church as well as in secular matters, but they believe that, if the clergy would only take the matter in hand, their people would gladly and freely respond. Many of the children admitted into the Home have been received from those districts, and. those districts more especially derive the benefit of the cheap services of the children, when they leave the Home, as it is to them they are mostly allotted. The Board would commend, as examples, the efforts, as shown in last year's report, made by some of the clergy in districts not more rich and prosperous than many of those above referred to. To the Union S.S. Company, for the annual excursion to Motutapu, and to Captain Carey, the commander of the steamer "Te Anau " on that occasion, the Board would express their grateful acknowledgments. The latter's geniality and care of the children could only be equalled by those of the children's old friend Captain Logan, of the s.s. "Hero." To the United Friendly Societies' Demonstration Committee for 1880, for part proceeds of that demonstration; to the Auckland Amateur Garrick Club, for part proceeds of a theatrical performance; to Mr. Kaynes, for a Christmas-tree and entertainment for the children, procured by him ; to the Masonic body of Auckland, for the amount of offertory at the service at St. Paul's Church, on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of their new hall in Princes-street; and to all the other kind friends who by their liberality and efforts have contributed to the gratification and well-being of the children of the institution, the Board desire also to tender their grateful acknowledgments. In conclusion, the Board, whilst thankfully acknowledging the success which has attended their efforts, under God's blessing, during the past year, would again commend the institution to the aid and kind support of the people of Auckland and its neighbourhood during the year which it has now entered upon.
Balance-sheet for the Year ending &lst March, 1881. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ a. d. To Balance, April Ist, 1880 392 3 10 By Salaries, wages, &o. 29119 0 Subscriptions and donations ... ... 341 411 Food, lighting, and washing ... ... 325 19 0 Contributions from Q-overnment 156 13 4 Clothing, bedding, &c 77 17 1 Contributions from relations of children 152 12 6 Coal and firewood ... ... ... ... 31 2 5 Native School Trustees 75 0 0 House furnishing, &c. 21 4 3 Interest from late W. Morrin, Esq.'s legacy 69 14 4 Medicine, hair-cutting, &c. 12 4 6 Interest and discount ... ... ... 12 8 9 Books, stationery, printing, &c. ... ... 21 6 2 Paddock drainage —Donation from B. Ire- Fire Insurance 986 land, Esq. ... ... ... ... 20 0 0 Postage, cartage, and sundries ... ... 5 7 6 Repairs, improvements, &c. ... ... 57 13 7 House drainage ... ... ... ... 23 3 6 Paddock drainage 58 7 9 Paddock, ploughing ... ... ... 3 0 0 Balance 281 4 5 £1,219 17 8 £1,219 17 8
3. Extract from a Beport of the Inspector-General of Schools. St. Stephen's Orphanage. —The children are evidently kindly treated, well-clothed, well-fed, and ■well-taught. 30th May, 1881. ,___«»«_»»_____—_«»__ M- JiSi Habens.
No. 5. St. Maby's Content Oephanage, Ponsonbt, Auckland. Extract from a Beport of the Inspector- General of Schools. St. Mary's, Ponsonby. —This is a Roman Catholic institution, which receives both committed and non-committed children. The department sustains a threefold relation to it: first, through the children admitted by order of the Believing Officer; second, through some Maori boarders placed there under the departmental scheme of education for Maoris ; and, lastly, through some children committed under the Neglected and Criminal Children Act. These are all very well cared for. The food is very good, the supply of clothing ample, and the dormitory arrangements very superior to what is found in most institutions of this kind. The management appears to be very able indeed. 30th May, 1881. W«, Jas. Habens,
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No. 6. The Thames Okphanage and Training School 1. Prospectus. The Thames Orphanage and Training School has been erected for the reception and education of poor children who have lost one or both parents, and also of children neglected by their parents, or who are, from evil associates, likely to become vagrants and criminals as they grow older. It is anticipated that a residence and careful training for a few years in the institution will enable the boys at fourteen years of age to leave the Orphanage fitted in every respect for situations as farm servants; and the girls when fifteen years old will be well-qualified domestic servants, and, as such, will be readily received into families. , Children will be admitted at any age between two and twelve, and will receive a similar education to that given in the State free schools. The boys will learn gardening, field-work, the management of cows, and other out-door employment; while the girls will perform all household duties, including washing, cooking, and dairy-work, in addition to cutting out and making all clothes required for the inmates of the institution. It is proposed to maintain the institution by subscriptions and donations, in addition to grants of money from the Colonial Government and local bodies. Gifts of clothes, books, preserves, toys, &c, will be thankfully acknowledged. The Orphanage is erected in an exceedingly healthy position in the Kauaeranga Valley —the ground attached to the institution being twelve acres in extent. The management of the charity to be by a Committee of eight persons, consisting of the Mayor, and three persons elected by the Borough Council in September of each year, and by four ladies or gentlemen elected annually in October by subscribers of £1 and upwards yearly to the funds of the institution.
2. First Annual Report. The ladies and gentlemen forming the Committee of Management of the above institution have the satisfaction, when submitting their first report to the subscribers to its funds, to be able to say the charity has proved a success, and is doing good work in a direction not heretofore attempted in the district. The institution is dual in character; being an industrial school for the reception of neglected children, committed for various terms of years by the Magistrates, and also an orphanage, in which children who have lost one or both parents may be placed by their friends upon the payment of the small sum of £10 annually. The proofs of its success are the robust health of the children, their good conduct, their attention and progress in their studies and duties, and their respect and attachment to the master and matron. The Committee, through their officers, have aimed to inculcate a highly moral tone amongst the children ; a desire to improve themselves and conquer evil habits acquired previous to admission because they feel it is right to do so, and because the overcoming of the evil and the doing well give pleasure to the master and matron, who guide and lead them forward. There has been no flogging, and, although the grounds are without gates, no running away: they can be, and are, trusted to go on business of the institution considerable distances from its walls. The school of the institution is under the control of the Board of Education, Auckland, the studies being the same as those of all Government schools in the colony. In addition to the inmates of the institution, several of the settlers in the surrounding districts send their children for education, a practice that is encouraged and approved by the Committee. During the past year two girls and one boy have been admitted to the Orphanage, and one girl has been allowed to leave, for the purpose of residing with the family of a settler at Miranda; satisfactory accounts of this former inmate are received by the Committee. The cost of maintenance of each child in the institution has been 54d. a day, and their supervision, i.e., the salaries paid the master and matron, the secretary and the servant, the expenses of printing, advertising, stamps, and stationery, have added another s|d., making the daily cost of each lid. As the number of inmates increase, the cost of supervision will proportionally decrease. Considerable improvements and additions have been made to the outbuildings, the grounds have been laid down in permanent pasture, and a very substantial bridge erected over the Kauaeranga Biver. The Committee have many kindnesses to acknowledge. Mrs. Lush has placed the parsonage at their service at all times for holding sewing bees ; ladies and gentlemen have given dramatic and musical entertainments in aid of special funds; others have sent useful gifts ; many have given their time in sewing and assistive works ; whilst the names of the subscribers and donors show how warmly the efforts of the Committee have been seconded. Thames, 28th October, 1880. Louis Eheenfeied, President.
Income and Expenditure for "Year 1880. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. From Government ... ... ... 255 10 8 Salaries and wages ... ... ... 152 4 8 Subscriptions ... ... ... ... 164. 1 3 Maintenance ... ... ... ... 202 13 4 Thames Borough Council ... ... ... 108 11 3 Buildings ... ... ... ... 150 16 1 Payments by parents ... ... ... 23 O O Ploughing, sowing, farm labour, &c. ... ... 70 4 0 Auckland Education Board ... ... 61 13 4 Sundries ... ... ... ... 696 Balance ... ... ... ... 30 8 11 £612 16 6 £612 16 6
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3. Extract from a Report of the Inspector-General of Schools. Thames Oephanage.—This is an exceedingly comfortable home for children, very well managed both by the directorate and by the resident officers. It might be improved by having a separate room for day-school purposes, instead of using the dining-room for them ; but I do not regard this as urgent. 30th May, 1881. * Wm. Jas. Habens.
No. 7. St. Joseph's Pboyidence Oephanaqe, "Wellington. Report of the Inspector-General of Schools. The Hon. the Minister of Education. I visited this institution nearly two years ago, when several half-caste children were being maintained there at the cost of the Government. In February last, when only one half-caste child remained there, Mr. Pope paid a visit of inspection. On both occasions the reports were favourable. Having learned last month that some European children at St. Joseph's are paid for by the Government, I have this day made another inspection. I went through the day-rooms, dormitories, kitchen, &c, and saw the children at dinner. They appear to be cheerful, healthy, and well cared for. I spent some hours in the school-room, and specially examined one girl who is doing Fourth Standard work, four that are preparing for the Third Standard, and four preparing for the Second. One girl is engaged in domestic work, at her mother's request; she receives private lessons in the evenings. This school is well managed and well taught. 1 have every reason to be satisfied with the general arrangements made in the institution for the children's welfare. Education Department, "Wellington, 28th July, 1881. Wk, Jas. Habens.
No. 8. St. Maey's Oephanages, Nelson. 1. Regulations {approved by Government).* No child to be admitted or discharged without the sanction of the Resident Magistrate of the district. 2. The Resident Magistrate to have power to order any child to be discharged, or handed over to relatives willing to maintain it. 3. All Magistrates to have the right to visit and inspect the institutions at any time.
2. Report oy the Rev. Father Garin. The St. Mary's Orphanages were established in 1872. Before that time all children were sent to Motueka; but I represented to the Superintendent, Mr. Curtis, that it was impossible to carry out the requirements of the law as to educating those destitute Catholic orphans in the religion of their deceased parents, as the orphanage was so far away, and as there was no one at Motueka to give them the necessary instruction. Mr. Curtis then requested me to take all the Catholic children, upon the same terms as Mr. Wallis had them —namely, one shilling per diem for each child. 1 agreed to this, and arrangements were made with the Sisters to take the girls. Their report is sent herewith as a separate statement. I bought first for the boys a cottage of four rooms, opposite my own house, at a cost of £300. I speedily had to find more room, and ] built an addition, at a cost of £227 18s. Last year I expended in repairs, improvements, and extra bedding and furniture, £58, which sum, with other previous expenditure, amounted altogether to £684 3s. 9d. There is an acre of recreation ground for the orphans. There are altogether eight rooms in the boys' orphanage, but they are small; and I regard the whole buildings as temporary, which will make way soon for more commodious buildings. I had to find a place for these boys out of my own pocket: the Government gave me nothing. Only Is. per day has been allowed to cover the cost of board, lodging, clothing, and education. I selected a respectable and experienced matron to take charge of the establishment, and she is assisted by her two daughters. I allow her 7s. a week for each child; and, from contributions by my congregation and friends, 1 give her assistance to clothe the boys. Any little comforts that may be wanted I also supply. This arrangement is purely temporary. As the orphans are daily under my eye, I can bear testimony to their being well fed and kindly cared for. My intention, when the numbers warrant it, is to have a proper building, which will be placed in the charge of Christian Brothers, who are specially trained for taking charge of such institutions, and who would have such assistance in the way of matrons as they might think necessary. Children are admitted at any age, but cannot stop after they reach fourteen. Some forward boys have been sent to situations at thirteen. The Resident Magistrate makes orders for the admission and discharge of orphans. Children not maintained by Government are admitted by private arrangement. They attend St. Mary's Boys' School daily. They have three meals a day; at dinner there is a plentiful supply of meat, vegetables, and pudding. They are not dieted after a regular scale, but are treated as members of a private family. These boys are taught the same as scholars attending the public schools. If they display particular ability, they are encouraged. For instance, at the last Christmas distribution of prizes, the Euclid prize was carried off by Adams, one of the Government orphans. It is the same with the girls ; whenever there is special ability it is noticed and encouraged. I do not think either the orphan boys or girls are looked down upon by the ordinary school children. It is one of the objects of the daily life to teach them kindness one to another —that they are members of one family; and so far as I have seen, there has been nothing to lead me to think the means adopted to this end have not been successful.
* These regulations are also applicable to Motueka Orphanage.
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As the boys arrive at thirteen or fourteen years of age I look out for respectable places for them. They receive always whatever wages they earn. As yet the boys' orphanage has not been long enough established to enable me to say what have been the after results of their training, because only one or two of the boys have as yet left. They have turned out, so far, very good boys. When medical attendance is required Mrs. Thompson pays for it. I think the Government might allow me to send for Dr. Boor, and so save a serious expense. It is, I believe, the general wish of the Catholics (throughout the Dioceses of Wellington and Dunedin at any rate, and they include all New Zealand except Auckland) to have a general Catholic orphanage and reformatory or refuge established here, so that the law, as contained especially in " The Neglected and Criminal Children Act, 1867," may be properly carried out. I am willing to receive all children committed under that Act, and to make proper provision for them, subject, of course, to State control and inspection as provided by the Act. I draw particular attention to the 9th section of the Act. These institutions have been established by private contributions, and are supported partly by contributions from the State. Nelson, 19th March, 1880. A. M. Gakin.
3. Report hy the Lady Superior of St. Mary's Girls' Orphanage. The Girls' Orphanage was established in 1872 by the Sisters of St. Mary's Convent, in consequence of the Provincial Government asking them to take charge of destitute Catholic orphan girls. To enable them to do this the Sisters purchased, at their own cost, a cottage and piece of land, adjacent to the convent property, for £200. In 1878 the number of orphans had considerably increased, and a building containing class-rooms, refectory, large dormitory, &c, which had been erected for the Sisters' private boarding-school in 1872, was set apart for the orphans. The cost of this building was £650. The Sisters were compelled in consequence to purchase more land and erect fresh buildings for their ordinary schools. No aid of any kind has been received from Government towards the purchase of land or erection of buildings ; nor any assistance given in the way of school materials, or household furniture, bedding, &c. The Sisters receive Is. per diem for each child, and for this they are expected to provide board, lodging, education, and clothing. The annual renting value of the buildings used for orphanage purposes would perhaps be from £80 to £100 per annum. The cost for repairs last year was about £25. The orphans have the use of all the grounds, the same as private pupils; there is no distinction made. In all, there are about four acres of garden and paddock. There are now twenty-two girls for whom the Government pay the subsidy ; accommodation for twelve more is immediately available. It must be understood that although special expense has been gone to, and accommodation provided for the orphans, nevertheless they mix as much as possible with the other pupils of the schools, and, if necessary, sleeping accommodation would, for a time at any rate, be found for them in the school dormitories. The number of cubic feet in the dormitories is 10,000; in an apartment where four sleep, 1,900. There are twelve orphans for whom the Government do not pay, but who are supported by their friends. Then there are four orphans not paid for by any one: their mothers were Catholics, and the children were, with the father's consent, baptized as Catholics ; but because the fathers were Protestants we have felt doubtful whether we could ask the Government to pay for these children. The average daily number in 1879 was 16J. The total actual cost for each orphan during 1879 including food, clothing, light, necessaries (soap, &c), medical attendance, repairs, &c, rates, rent, interest, &c, amounted to £19 19s. 6fd. Children are admitted at any age, no matter how young; but they cannot remain after fourteen, except under special circumstances, and with the express consent of the Government. They are admitted upon the written authority of the llesident Magistrate of Nelson, and cannot be discharged without his authority. The paying orphans are, of course, admitted and discharged by private arrangement with their friends. Pour Sisters take general charge and supervision of the Girls' Orphanage, the Lady Superior of course exercising a general supervision over this as all other parts of the Convent establishment. Hours of rising, 6 a.m. ; going to bed, 8.30 p.m.; lessons, 9.30 to 12, and from 1.30 to 4 p.m.; needlework, 5 to 6 p.m., and the whole of Tuesday and Friday afternoons. The orphans partake of exactly the same fare as is provided for the Sisters and the boarders at the high school. There is no limit as to quantity ; each has as much as she wants, and there are three meals, and a luncheon as well, every day. At dinner there is always plenty of fresh meat and vegetables, and pudding. Eecreation from 12.30 to 1.30, and from 4 to 5, and 7 to 8.30 p.m. The girls attend the Convent schools ;no difference is made in their treatment. Bright intelligent girls are pushed on in any special subject they display particular taste for ; all receive a sound general education, and some learn music, painting, fancy-work, &c. The Sisters always try to get respectable situations for orphans leaving the institution, but they do not receive any of their wages. That is all paid at once to the girls, and if a situation turns out unsuitable, the girls know the Sisters will always receive them for a time, without cost, until they can find another place. None of the orphans have, to the knowledge of the Sisters, turned out otherwise than just as good and useful girls as others in the same rank of life ; some of them more so. When medical attendance is required the Sisters pay for it. We wish the Government to make this a general Catholic girls' orphanage for the whole of New Zealand, or, at any rate, for the Catholic Dioceses of Wellington and Otago, which comprise the whole colony except Auckland. We are willing to have the institution brought under the Neglected and Criminal Children Act, and be subject to such inspection as the Government thinks proper.
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No. 9. Motueka Orphanage. Summary of a Report furnished hy Mr. Wallis. In the year 1867 Mr. and Mrs. Wallis opened their Home as a refuge for fallen women; but after a short trial with four or five of such persons the scheme proved a failure, and had to be given up. But during their visits among these unfortunates they found that a large number of children were growing up in vice. They therefore resolved to establish an Orphanage Home, and they succeeded in persuading several drunken and depraved parents to place their children in it. The boys were trained to habits of industry, and were educated in the Home until fourteen years old, when they were apprenticed or placed out to service. The girls were trained for domestic service. In March, 1869, Mr. and Mr. "Wallis had, at their own expense, eight boys and five girls in their Home of Refuge." A few persons took an interest in the work, but the whole of the work, and the greater part of the expense, devolved upon themselves. About this time the Provincial Government of Nelson had about a dozen orphan or neglected children boarded with different families. Mr. and Mrs. Wallis were invited by the Government to take them into their Home, and an agreement was come to whereby the children would be maintained and educated at a charge of 7s. each a week, all medical expenses being paid by the Government. This arrangement was continued until June, 1872, when pecuniary difficulties compelled Mr. and Mrs. Wallis to give it up. Four boys and four girls were returned to their parents, one boy was apprenticed, one boy was placed at service, one was retained at the Home, and another was provided for by the Government. One girl, nearly blind, was placed in the hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Wallis now entered into an arrangement with the Provincial Government whereby all the children maintained in the Home should be paid for at the rate of 7s. a week for each. In June, 1878, it was agreed that all children entered after that date should be paid for at the rate of Bs. per week. -The Home consists of two separate residences, with kitchen and a number of suitable outbuildings. There is a large playground, a portion of which is set apart for small gardens for the children. Attached to the Home is a farm of 100 acres, the cultivation of which affords profitable occupation and training for the children. As a rule, the children are not placed out to service until they are fourteen years old ; but occasionally a boy or a girl is sent out at an earlier age, when circumstances seem to warrant this course. Care is taken that the children's wages, after defraying the cost of clothes, &c, shall be placed to their credit in the Post Office Savings Bank. Nearly all the children that have left the Home have moneys in the bank. One young woman was compelled by ill-health to leave her situation for a time. She paid £5 for medical attendance, and 4s. a week for her board, until able to return to service. She has now £30 in the bank. A boy went to service for three years, during which time he acquired a good supply of clothing, and saved upwards of £14. He then paid his passage to Wellington, apprenticed himself as a saddler, and maintained himself partly out of his savings. He is now doing well. Another youth, after saving £30, apprenticed himself as a blacksmith in the district of Marlborough. Since the Home was opened, fourteen years ago, there has been one death, that of an infant that had been only a few days an inmate, and only on three occasions has medical aid been required.
No. 10. Lyttelton Orphanage. 1. — From the 'Secretary to the Charitable Aid Board. Sir,— Christchurch, 23rd February, 1881. I have the honor to forward herewith the returns requested by your Circular No. 68, of the 6th ultimo. The Canterbury Orphan Asylum was originally founded as a Church of England institution, but, assuming too large proportions, it was taken over by the late Provincial Government. It was established for the purpose of providing a home for orphan children of respectable parents, and to train and teach them to become useful members of society. The institution is now situated at Lyttelton ; the extent of the grounds is about three acres; the buildings are very convenient, and in a fair state of repair. The Charitable Aid Board is the governing body, the Board being nominated by the Government. The institution has been a decided success in every sense. I have, &c, The Secretary, Education Department, "Wellington. J. E. Maech.
2.— Beport hy Medical Officer. Sir,— Lyttelton, Bth February, 1881. I have the honor to report that the health of the children at the orphanage for the twelve months ending 31st December has been generally satisfactory. During the year there were fourteen cases of diphtheria, of a much milder character, however, than that of the epidemic of 1879 ; the last cases were convalescent in November. There was no other sickness of a serious nature. No deaths occurred. The sanitary arrangements in and about the institution have been much improved, and the completion of the hospital has proved a great boon. The quality of provisions has invariably been good, and the allowance ample. I have much pleasure in testifying to the unremitting kindness and attention shown to the children by the master and matron. I have, &c, H. Macdonald, M.D., The Hon. the Minister for Education. Medical Officer.
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3. — Extract from a Report of the Inspector- General of Schools. The school is well furnished with all necessary appliances for teaching, cooking, bathing, &c, but suffers from want of out-door space. The children appear to be well cared for, and are orderly and well-behaved. I understand that Mr. Restell has lately examined them. I shall look for his detailed report with interest. My own opinion is that they are backward in general intelligence. G-ood reading is a fair test of intelligence, and the reading—particularly in the girls' school—is not very good. 26th November, 1880. Wi. Jas. Habens.
4 — Report by Mr. Restell. Sib,-— Education Office, Christchurch, 28th February, 1881. I have the honor to report that I have examined the Lyttelton Orphan Asylum Schools. The school-work has been interrupted by sickness, convalescence, the removal of the orphans to, and their stay at, Quail Island. The schools are in good order. Satisfactory progress has been made since mv last examination, upon which I reported fully, and made some suggestions. I have, &c, The Chairman, Education Board. J. P. Restell.
No. 11. Btjenham Industrial School. I.— Memorandum by the Inspector-General of Schools. The statistics of the school are shown with sufficient detail in the Eeport of the Minister of Education (25th June, 1881), in a Parliamentary paper (E.-l, 1881). I visited, the school for the first time on the 24th. of January, 1880. My report dealt first with the question of drainage, which has since been very satisfactorily settled; and next with the necessity for increased dormitory space, which has been amply provided for by the building of a new schoolroom and a house for the manager. Nothing worse than a little trouble and temporary inconvenience was endured, by having to make up beds in places not devoted to dormitory purposes, until the space occupied by the school and the master's family was set free by the occupation of the new buildings. The health of the children has always been wonderfully good. In the early part of the year it became manifest that the manager was not quite equal to the duties he had to perform. His services were therefore dispensed with, and Mr. Maddison was appointed, and began work in April, 1880. After visiting the institution in November (on the 2nd, 3rd, and 29th), I reported as follows: "Mr and Mrs. Maddison appear to me to be well fitted for the work they have undertaken. They have been steadily making improvements ever since they entered upon their duties." In the same report (of which a copy is attached) I strongly recommended a reorganization of the dayschool, the results of its work at that time being very unsatisfactory, as evidenced by Mr. Edge's report and the state of the children when I examined them myself. A new schoolmaster has since been appointed. Mr. Pope visited the school on the 10th and 11th of June, ISBI, and his report affords reason for believing that a great improvement has been effected. The schoolmaster's wife was to have been his assistant in the school. She, however, has found it necessary to resign, and her place has been filled by a new appointment made only a few weeks ago. The last occasion on which I spent a few hours at the institution was in April. I saw many signs of progress, and nothing to call for adverse criticism, except a temporary want of a mistress for the junior classes in the school. Mr. Titchener, the Manager of the Caversham Industrial School, rendered very good service by visiting Burnham School several times to advise Mr. Maddison, while he was new to his work. Wellington, July, 1881. Wm. Jas. Habens.
Enclosure. Report on Burnham Industrial School. (Inspected 2nd, 3rd, and 29th November, 1880.) Me. and Mrs. Maddison appear to me to be well fitted for the work they have undertaken. They have been steadily making improvements ever since they entered upon their duties. The new schoolhouse is in process of erection on the site which I marked out for it on the 3rd ultimo. It will look to the north-east, and the playsheds behind will be in full view of the glazed corridor near the kitchen. Between the schoolhouse and the main building, space is left for a residence for the manager, which I think will one day be required. The school stands in a front corner of the girls' playground, overlooking a small garden, and placed so as to conceal the girls' bathroom and closets from the view of persons approaching the institution by the main drive. Unless the number of inmates should increase more rapidly than usual, there will be ample sleeping room when the present schoolrooms are set free for dormitory purposes. In the interval between my visits of the 3rd and 29th ultimo, a rearrangement of bedsteads was made, and by this means room has been found for more beds, so that no two boys have to sleep together. I did not approve of Mr. Maddison's proposal to remove the partition between the two dormitories. I showed him that the economy of space which he aimed at could not be secured in that way, and I suggested that sufficiently free circulation of air might be obtained by removing only that part of the partition which is above the girders. I find that Dr. Prins's proposal to have a detached building with a kitchen, for the infants and nurse, is quite independent of the question of enlarged accommodation in the main building, and is recommended as being in any case desirable. There is a cottage on wheels now standing in the girls' playground, and used as a dayroom for the infants. Mr. Maddison suggests that an immigration cottage standing empty in the neighbourhood might be removed, and added to the cottage now in use,
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and that, in this inexpensive way, Dr. Prins's suggestion might be carried out. I think, however, that a much better plan would be to put these two cottages together for an infirmary, to build a house for the master between the main building and the new schoolrooms, and to appropriate the place that was built for an infirmary to the use of the infants, reserving one or two rooms as dormitories for some of the elder girls. The infirmary is now occupied as a dwelling-house by the master and his family. It is a great deal too far from the main building. The master ought always to be close at hand in case of emergency. The rooms intended for the master's use in the main building are inadequate to his reasonable wants. lam quite sure Mr. Maddison would do all he could to get such wort as I have suggested done at the least possible cost. He has made many repairs, alterations, and additions with his own hands, and it is good for the boys to see such things done, and to help as far as they can. Dr. Prins reported that the bathing accommodation for the girls was insufficient. Mr. Maddison has altered and enlarged a shed, laid on water, put down a concrete floor, and made a very convenient bathroom for them. He has also begun to alter the closets, improving them, and increasing their number —a work which Dr. Prins and Mr. March both spoke of as necessary. The boys' closets are not satisfactory, but they too wilL be altered. A good bathroom has been lately made for the boys. The master having asked to have an additional laundress appointed, in order that the washing might be done at the school instead of sending it to Addington G-aol, I was instructed to discuss the matter with him. I have no doubt it is best for the girls to have all the washing done in the institution. But, apart from this, it was urged that, when the clothes are sent out to be washed, they are not returned in time to be properly mended. I found on inquiry that the rule has been to have only two sets of clothing—one in wear, and one in the wash —and, further, that the separate garments have not been appropriated to individual children, but that any child has worn any garment that was of the right size. I strongly recommend that the rule be that the clothing be appropriated, and marked or numbered, and that there be always three sets instead of two. The cost will not be greater in the long run. Mr. Maddison has accepted my views on this subject, and within the last month has begun to act upon them. He tells me that he finds that the individual appropriation of clothing will save trouble, instead of increasing it, as he feared. lam sure it will promote self-respect. Probably the children will take better care of their clothes if they are their own. The mending will be more carefully done when there is a clear week to do it in. Mr. Maddison now agrees with me that it would be betterin view of the probability of having a separate building for the infants—to employ, not another laundress, but a nurse and needlewoman. With regard to the master's idea of having the boys taught boot-making, I suggested that as they would not learn enough to make tradesmen of them, and would probably not follow the trade, it might be better to teach them to make some of their own clothing, as the boys at Kohiinarama are taught. At my last visit I found that Mrs. Maddison had already began to teach them, and I consider it a very good thing to have them brought thus under her immediate influence in the evenings. lam told that they are very much interested in this new work. The management of the farm has been very unsatisfactory. It has been necessary to buy oats for the horses ; and presents of vegetables for the table have been thankfully received. During the last few weeks the master has had to travel long distances to identify sheep that have strayed in all directions. He has found sheep with three years' wool on their backs, and others that have been shorn by strangers. He tells me that it will not be necessary to buy oats again, and that there will be a plentiful supply of vegetables. The water supply is not satisfactory. During the past month it has been necessary to cart water from the Selwyn. There was at one time a windmill to raise the water from the well, but this is now out of use, and is, I understand, useless. The pumping is now done by hand. Mr. March told me that the pumping apparatus was very imperfect, and that the work of pumping was therefore very laborious and distasteful to the boys. I inspected it last Monday and found that it had been recently very much improved. I think it would be well to get the Clerk of Works (Mr. Hurrell) to report on the state of the machinery of the old windmill with a view to its re-erection, and to obtain competent advice as to the possibility of obtaining a better supply by sinking a deeper well. I have made careful inquiries as to the fitness of the older children for service. Some of them are wanted to do the work of the institution. For this purpose two girls are usually wanted for two or three days in each week, and about eighteen boys working half-time. My opinion is that it is not fair to the children to keep them back from suitable places to do the farm or house work in the institution, and that such work should be done by those who are not quite ready to be sent out. Fitness for service depends upon age and physical strength, on character, and on the educational progress of the child. In my judgment, there are none really fit to be sent out now. Since my visit of the 2nd and 3rd ultimo two boys and three girls have been sent out. [Ist boy (G.W.), 12 years old; 5 years an inmate: passed (Third Standard) in reading, spelling, and writing only. 2nd boy (H. 8.), 11 years old; 3Jyears an inmate: passed (Fourth Standard) in reading, writing, grammar, geography, and history ; failed in spelling, arithmetic, and composition; a well-behaved boy. Ist girl (E.W\), 14 years old ; 5 years an inmate : passed (Fourth Standard) in reading, writing, and grammar only ; a very good girl, and useful. 2nd girl (E.M.), 15 years old; 5 years an inmate: passed (Fourth Standard) in reading, writing, and grammar only. 3rd girl (J. McGr.), 15 years old; li years an inmate: passed (First Standard), in reading, spelling, and writing only.] I examined 21 boys and 7 girls above the age of 12 years. I do not consider that any of them are fit to be sent out yet. I have prepared a statement showing the position they took at Mr. Edge's examination, in October, and how they did before me. This statement, with papers written by the most advanced of them, is appended to this report. It may be useful to assist in determining whether any of these children shall be sent out to service. Mr. Edge's report shows that the numbers presented for examination in Standards 1., 11., 111., and IV., were respectively 27, 30, 22, and 10; and that all of them failed, except 13 in Standard 1., and these are said to be barely up to the requirements of the standard. Of the 73 children not presented in standards, Mr. Edge says: " Making but little progress; but due allowance must be made for poor 3—E. 6a.
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accommodation and teaching appliances." Ido not suppose that teaching appliances would have been withheld had they been asked for. The accommodation has been unsatisfactory. The state of the school is such—as proved by Mr. Edge's report and my own observation—that I do not hesitate to recommend that it be immediately reorganized. I further recommend that, when a new master has been appointed, he be instructed to apply himself particularly to the task of working up the arithmetic throughout the school; and be informed that, while liberty is conceded to him to teach the full standard course, the school will, for some time, be judged by the progress of the children in reading, spelling, writing, and arithmetic. He should also pay special attention to the children above twelve years of age, who may soon have to go out to service. With regard to those children who are required to work, the present manager will be careful not to keep them away from school more than half their time, and will see that they have, at least, one unbroken week in school for every week out of it. When Mr. Maddison applied for a pass for a teacher of singing, I find that he had it in mind to revive the band also. He tells me that Mr. Corrick, recommended by Messrs. Milner and Thompson, would teach singing and instruct a band for £50 a year, and railway fares. There would probably be considerable expense in putting neglected instruments into repair. I believe Mr. Maddison would try to raise money by benevolent contributions. I have advised him to make the wages of children licensed out range from 2s. to 4s a week, and board and clothing, &c. I am not prepared to recommend the establishment of branch depots at the old immigration houses. lam very hopeful of the success of a boarding-out scheme, if the law can be altered to suit it. Mr. March would be willing to act as agent in Christchurch to negotiate the licensing-out of children. Of course, the master's powers would not be interfered with. Wm. Jas. Habens.
2.— Report iy Mr. Edge. Sic, — Education Office, Christchurch, 9th November, 1880. I have the honor to submit the following report on the Burnham Industrial School: — Number on roll, 165; present at examination, 162. Teachers: Mr. Fittal (uncertificated), Mrs. Collee (uncertificated). Result of Examination in Standards: —Presented: Standard IV., 10; 111., 22; 11., 30; 1., 27: total, 89. Average: Standard IV., 131; 111., 115 ; 11., 102; 1., 103. Passed: Standard 1., 13. Percentage, 14. Present Classification :— Preparing for Standard IV., 10 ; 111., 22 ; 11., 43; 1., 87 : total, 162. General Remarks. —At my first inspection of this school, held in February last, the attainments of the children were found to be very unequal, and, generally speaking, below the requirements of the standards in which they were presented. Such being the case, I determined to make that examination a preliminary one. I now find that, after eight months' work, the school is in the same unsatisfactory state as it was then, and that, with but very few exceptions, the scholars are still unprepared to pass their respective standards. Those presented in the Third and Fourth Standards were unable to work correctly the most elementary sums, and their other work was very imperfect. In the lower classes the attainments were very meagre. The state of the work in each standard is fully shown in the classlists attached to this report. Considering the time that several of the children have been in the institution, and their regular and punctual attendance during that time, very fair results should have been produced. The pupils were clean in person, subdued and respectful in demeanour, and in very fair order. More attention should be paid to school-drill and class movements. The schoolmaster again complained of the want of suitable reading-books, ink-wells, copies, and other requisites ; but, as he had never asked for them, Ido not see that he has much ground for complaint. After making due allowance for the special difficulties under which the teachers have laboured, I must say that the results of the instruction are far from creditable. I have, &c, W. L. Edge, The Hon. the Minister of Education. Inspector of Schools.
3. — Report iy Medical Officer. Sib,— Christchurch, 10th June, 1881. I have the honor to inform you that I have recently made an inspection of the Industrial School at Burnham, and beg to report that I found the institution generally in a very orderly and clean, condition. The inmates at present number 187 —namely, 127 boys, and 60 girls. 1 submit the following statement of admissions since Ist May, 1880, to 31st May, 1881: — Admissions from Ist May, 1880, to 31st October, 1880,23 boys, 10 girls; from Ist November, 1880, to 31st January, 1881, 7 boys, 1 girl; from Ist February, 1881, to 31st May, 1881, 19 boys, 8 girls: total, 49 boys, 19 girls. Twelve boys and seven girls are licensed out to farmers, and seven boys and five girls are licensed out with parents and friends, while two have been discharged under the Act. The newly-erected buildings have made the institution exceedingly comfortable, and afforded sufficient room for the accommodation of about sixty more inmates. The sleeping compartment is divided into seven dormitories, including the infants' department. The old schoolroom is now occupied as a dining-room. The new schoolroom is well ventilated, and admirably adapted for the purpose. The drainage, as far as constructed, answers very well. As the most effectual method of getting rid of the solid refuse, &c, I have advised that it be burnt to ashes in the open air. The liquid sewage is carted away and distributed over the land (which is of very poor quality) at some distance from the buildings; and the closet excreta is periodically buried in the soil. I nave to remark that the closets in
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the girls' department are not suitable, and more seats are required.* The bath-rooms are now properly divided, and very complete in their appointments. The last allusion naturally leads me to call your particular attention to the question of an adequate water supply. Although there is a windmill to raise water from the well, also a large concrete tank on the premises in which the rain water is collected, the supply is frequently deficient, and recourse has to be made to carting water from the river Selwyn, distant four miles from the institution. In an establishment of such size and importance, a good, ample, and unfailing water supply is a desideratum. I would therefore recommend the Government to instruct their Engineer to furnish an early report on the feasibility of directing into the grounds of the institution a branch from the Malvern Water-race, which, it is reported, may soon be brought within two or three miles of the school. I may further remark that, besides being desirable for fire extinction and other purposes, the water might be utilized in irrigating the land, which, as I have before intimated, is poor and light. There are now 200 acres laid down in grass, 100 acres in turnips ; the live stock consists of 550 sheep, thirteen cows, and five horses for farming purposes. It would be undoubtedly a move in the right direction for the Government to encourage the laying down in grass of as much land as possible, (while teaching the elder boys,) to render the institution more self-supporting. The children are making good progress in their education. When an efficient schoolmistress is appointed, there would be little more to be desired in this direction.t Music is taught; a bandmaster attends twice a week, and is forming a brass band, with considerable success. Religious services are held on Thursdays and Sundays. The only addition to the teaching staff that might be deemed desirable would be the appointment of an efficient sewing-mistress, J so as to enable the institution to keep a proper supply of new clothing in stock, while the old clothes could be repaired ; and instructions might be given with advantage in knitting socks and stockings, and articles of a similar nature. The children, excepting the younger ones, who are suffering from chilblains, are in good health, and seem to be happy and well cared for. Taking into consideration the period during which the institution has been in existence, and the condition of the majority of the children when admitted, there is reason for congratulation in the fact that two deaths only have occurred —namely, Sarah Way, aged three years, who died on the 27th October, 1877, and William Smith, aged six years, who died on the 3rd December, 1879. The first was a very delicate child, suffering from curvature of the spine and rickets, and in a very poor condition. The latter died from croup, after one day's illness, and before I could be summoned to attend him. I have invariably taken the precaution to remove at an early stage, into the Christchurch Hospital, any cases indicating febrile or enteric symptoms, as a preventive against contagion, and also on the ground of economy. The rations that I inspected I found to be of good quality. The master informed me that the only instance of any complaint was on one occasion when the bread was insufficiently baked, and this breach was very readily rectified by the contractor. I trust I may not be considered presumptuous in drawing the attention of the Government to the serious consequences that may arise from the inmates of both sexes being kept in the same institution to the advanced age of sixteen or seventeen years. Notwithstanding the utmost vigilance, care, and attention, any immorality occurring would be a stain on the management of the institution, and seriously impair its usefulness. Taking into consideration character, early education, and hereditary tendency, it appears to me a question that ought to be answered as to whether the two sexes ought not to be placed in separate establishments. The present place might bo maintained for the boys,'for teaching them farming, trades, &c.; while one for the girls might be located nearer Christchurch, a large area of land being unnecessary. While learning cooking, house and needlework, &c, the girls might frequently be visited by ladies, a practice that does not now obtain, but which would tend to impart a higher tone of feeling and character. Any girls wishing to be instructed in dairy work could be apprenticed out to farmers. In conclusion, I must pay a tribute of praise to the whole staff of servants, who appear to be particularly painstaking, and doing all in their power to make the management of the institution effective and creditable. Generally, lam happy to be able to inform you that I was very favourably impressed with the result of my inspection. I have, &c. The Hon. the Minister of Education. H. H. Peins.
No. 12. Cateesham Industbial School, 1. The Master of the School to the Secretary for 'Education. Sib, — Industrial School, Caversham, 7th February, 1881. In accordance with the request contained in your letter (of the number and date No. 68, 6th January, 1881,) I have the honor to state that the institution was founded in the year 1867. At that time there was assembled in Dunedin a class of people from the neighbouring colonies, many of whom were leading an irregular and dissipated life, whose children were likely to become pests to society. The late Mr. Branigan, then Commissioner of Police, Mr. Macandrew, then Superintendent of the Province, Sir Julius Vogel, then Provincial Treasurer, and Mr. Hislop, then Secretary to the Education Board, saw that it was absolutely necessary to pass some measure whereby they might provide a home for those children, whose parents were leading such lives that it became dangerous to the future well-being of their children and society for the children to remain under their control. On referring to the record-book I find that, during the first year after the establishment of the institution, nearly the whole of the boys and girls who were committed were taken from brothels, and their parents described by the police as beicg of the lowest class. This institution, therefore, was
* This has now been attended to. —July, 1881. t The vacancy has since been filled. j A sewing-mistress has now been appointed.
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established for the purpose of rescuing young boys and girls from the paths of vice and infamy, and providing them with such a training as would fit them to become useful members of society. The master and matron were provided with an excellent code of rules for their guidance, and, by adhering to those rules, they were enabled to carry out to a considerable extent the intentions of the founders of the institution. The school is situated about three miles from Dunedin, on a low-lying mountain range called Look-out Point, and commands a magnificent view of the ocean and southern part of Dunedin. The area of ground attached is 21 acres, but ; unfortunately, most of it is very rough, and not suitable in many respects for its present use. The chief objection is that it commands a south-easterly aspect, thus depriving the children of the sun's rays during the winter months, as there is a higher range at the back, or north-west side, of the house and grounds, behind which the sun sinks about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, thus giving a gloomy appearance to the place, in addition to making it very cold. The buildings have a ricketty, tumble-down appearance —especially the dormitories for the boys. These consist of a long range of wooden buildings, very old, having been used as an hospital in Dunedin, twenty-five years ago, and removed here for temporary use. The ground available for culture is made the most of, being kept in a good state of cultivation by the gardener and boys under his charge, so that we never lack a plentiful supply of vegetables. The institution is under the control of the Minister of Education. There is one Honorary Inspector —H. Houghton, Esq., who pays frequent visits to the institution. The master is the person into whose hands are committed the control and management, he being subject to the control of the Honorary Inspector, as all requisitions, and everything bearing upon the expenditure of public money, are approved of by that gentleman before any expenditure is incurred. The success which has attended the working of the institution is of a very satisfactory nature. Many of the former inmates who were, years ago, brought from the lowest places of infamy, are now getting well married. There were four girls married last year, who presented their marriage certificates to the master, and received, in the aggregate, £56 Is. 7d. —this money representing the amount of their earnings while at service, and under the control of the school authorities. ' The institution is frequently visited by former inmates—boys and girls of the early period of its existence —and a finer lot of young men and women could not be found. I have no hesitation in saying that the school is doing the work which its founders intended it should do. I may here state that I know of but one case of any former inmate having fallen back into criminal habits—that of a boy, who js now an inmate of the Dunedin Gaol, as also is his father. The crime in this case would appear to be hereditary, both father and mother having been members of the criminal class, from Tasmania. The girls who have been brought up in the institution are, generally, conducting themselves well; those who are not married are in good situations. I know of but two instances where there is a likelihood of their leading vicious lives. I could not offer any suggestions whereby the present system of working this institution could be improved. I have, &c, E. Titcheneb, The Secretary, Education Department, "Wellington. Master. 2. Report of H, Houghton, Esq., Honorary Inspector.
2. Report of H, Houghton, Esq., Honorary Inspector. Sir, — Dunedin, 29th June, 1881. In July last, when I had the honor of submitting my report on the Industrial School, I drew attention to the increasing numbers of children of a tender age that were then being committed to that institution. Reviewing that report on the present occasion, I might almost adopt its substance, so little has occurred during the interval to vary the general tenor of my remarks. The same good order, cleanliness, parental care, observable tben, remain as the distinguishing features of the management, and leave me nothing to add or withdraw at the close of another general inspection. On previous occasions I have drawn special attention to the numbers of infant children in the school, and abuses connected with their admission. I would now direct attention to the mortality that has taken place among these children. Out of 26 committed, during the past two years, 8 deaths have followed the withdrawal from the mother's nursing. Among the list of deaths are those of two infants of three weeks old, one of three months, and one of four, the remainder being under two years of age. If magistrates refused to admit children under two years old —there being few mothers who would not make some effort to maintain their infants—the serious cost of putting these infants out to nurse at a cost of 10s. per week would be saved. As at present arranged, only the most worthless thrust their children on the State for support. In most cases, by the course adopted, the State is holding out a premium for profligacy, the mothers considering themselves wholly relieved from any further charge on their behalf. In the proposed alteration of the existing law, provision should be made by which children could be committed for short terms, if only to give the parents temporary relief whilst seeking employment, or from any other cause for which it might be deemed advisable to send children to the school for a short time, rather than commit them for the long term now adopted. Once sent to the school, only a small percentage find their way back to their parents. In the great majority of cases, the school is looked on in the light of a public charity-school, into which it is desirable to obtain admission for children, where education and maintenance are provided until they are able to take care of themselves. The present state of the school is something like the following: Every boy and girl of any age has been sent away, because of the increasing number of young children in the school, and to keep them within the capacity of the present buildings. In the last report of the Inspector-General, Mr. Habens refers very pointedly to the advantages of the boarding-out system for such children. Looking to the increasing numbers, I should like to see that gentleman's suggestion tried, by offering to steady, well-conducted married people such a payment as would induce them to bring up children committed to their care. I am of opinion that it would
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lead to the adoption of many children by these foster parents, and may be the means of removing one of the greatest difficulties the management has to deal with. In my former report I omitted all mention of the large accumulations of the earnings of the boys and girls as wages, in the Post-office Savings Bank, during the time they are licensed out. Eepayments are made to the girls on their marriage, and to the boys after their attainment of manhood, whose good conduct has shown them worthy of it. I have, &c, H. Houghtof, The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. Honorary Inspector.
3. — Beport of Medical Officer. Sic, — Look-out Point, June, 1881. I have the honor to report that the average daily number of inmates for the year 1880 was 247. Amongst these, five deaths occured: James Clark, aged twelve months ; Mary Wilson, aged four months; Jane Wilson, aged four months; William Bassett, aged fifteen months; and James Broadford, aged three years. Sickness, indeed, has been limited to those very young children of whose admission to the school I have frequently complained. lam happy to say that the older children may be fairly described as being in robust health. I have, &c, Eobeet Bttbns, F.R.C.S., Ed., The Hon. the Minister of Education. Medical Officer.
4. Beport of the Inspector-General of Schools. — (Visited Uth and 17th Nov., 1880.) Education Department, Wellington, 4th December, 1880. I hate never seen any institution of the kind better managed. Mr. and Mrs. Titchener are remarkably well qualified for their offices. Mr. Titchener, jun., is an admirable teacher. I have never heard more, uniformly good, intelligent, and expressive reading in any school of any class. Miss Christie manages the lower department very well indeed, but she has 170 children in it, and stands greatly in need of assistance.* The water supply is inadequate, and threatens to fail. If the Corporation water can be laid on, I think there can be no doubt that it ought to be brought into use without delay.f The little ones are very much crowded at meal-times. If it would not create too much trouble, I would suggest that some of the children should always wait until the others have done. As in the case of Burnham, I decidedly recommend that each child be provided with three sets of garments, individually appropriated. I think that efforts should be made to get the boarding-out system established, rather than enlarge the buildings. Wm. Jas. Habeas.
5. Mr. Petrie's Beport. Sib, — Education Office, Dunedin, 19th January, 1881. 1 have the honor to report that I examined the scholars receiving instruction at the Otago Industrial School on the 17th December last. Fifty-four were examined in the work of the First Standard, and fifty-two passed. Twenty-eight were examined in reading, spelling, writing, and arithmetic, as for the Second Standard, and all of them passed in each of these subjects. Twenty-two were examined in reading, spelling, writing, and arithmetic, as for the Third Standard, and twenty of them passed in each of the subjects. Six were examined in the same four subjects as for the Fourth Standard, and all of them passed in each of the subjects. I further held a class-examination in geography. The following is from my report on the school: " The results of the examination were most satisfactory, and showed that the boys and girls placed in this institution are receiving the elements of a sound, though somewhat limited, education." I was particularly pleased with the honesty and independence the children displayed during the examination. There are very few public schools in Otago where the moral tone of the schoolroom is superior to what I saw here. The attention, movements, and intelligence of the children were very satisfactory. The teachers deserve much praise for the excellent work they have done during the year. I am strongly of opinion that an additional teacher should be allowed for the lower department of the school.* The numbers here are now much greater than any single teacher can handle with success. One or two of the elder girls have been acting by turns as monitors, but this arrangement is not likely to give permanent satisfaction. I have, &c, D. Peteie, M.A., The Secretary, Otago Board of Education. Inspector of Schools.
No. 13. KOHIMAEAMA NaTAL TeAINING SCHOOL. I.— Manager's Beport. Sib, — Naval Training School, Kohimaraina, 2nd July, 1881. I have the honor to transmit, for the information of the Hon. the Minister having charge of the administration of " The .Naval Training Schools Act, 1874," the following report for the twelve months ending 31st March last: — The health of the boys generally has been good. The report of the medical officer of the institution will doubtless give full particulars under this head. Eeturn A gives the educational state of the
* Provision is made on the Estimates for an assistant-mistress. + A most abundant supply has now been obtained from the Silverstream.
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boys, and shows a satisfactory improvement, especially in arithmetic. In seamanship, in all its branches, there has been a satisfactory progress ; but the remarks made in my last report, as to the retention by the boys of the knowledge imparted to them, still hold good, lieturn C gives the quantity of clothing made, and, as far as possible, an account of the other trade work done in the school. Thirty boys have been received, and twenty-nine discharged, during the period to which this report refers.* lieturn B records the visits of clergymen and others, for the purpose of performing divine service and giving religious instruction. As opportunity occurred, the boys have been taken to Auckland to participate in service at their respective churches. I am glad to be able to report a tendency to improvement in the behaviour of the boys ; but the want of classification is (and always will be until some means of separating the good and the bad are adopted) a fruitful source of trouble. Return E gives a long list of absconders, but the majority of them go, I believe, simply for a run and the sake of a little change. A closet has been erected in connection with the dormitory, and is a great improvement from a sanitary point of view, and also in connection with the comfort of the boys. The want of a proper place for the boys to play in is a great want, and one to which I would urgently call attention. The appointment of Inspectors in connection with the school has been a matter of especial gratification to myself. The schoolmaster appointed under the new system joined on the Bth March, slightly over three weeks from the date to which this report is completed, too short a time to form much of an opinion as to the benefit of the change; but, I think, as it practically reduces the already limited staff by one man, it will be found to be anything but an improvement. The schooner was finally taken over from the builders on the 14th September, 1880, and is utilized as far as possible ; but the absence of an adequate staff materially neutralizes the advantage which she should be to the nautical training. The question of providing suitable quarters for married instructors is one to which 1 desire again to call attention. The supply of a cart, horse, plough, and harrows has been of material benefit, and will enable the boys to be better qualified for farm work. I desire to place on record my obligations to Dr. Goldsbro, for his exertions in collecting for the amusement fund. I have, &c, G. K. Breton, The Secretary for Education. Manager.
Enclosures to Manager's Report. RETURN A.—Educational State of Boys.
RETURN B. —Visits ov Clekotmen and Othees bob Religious Insteuction. Church of England, number of visits, 41; Roman Catholic Church, number of visits, 29: total number of visits during the year, 70.
RETURN C.—Retuen oe Woek done in School dueing the Yeab. 63 duck jumpers, at Is., £3 Bs .; 102 duck trousers, at Is., £5 25.; 36 duck caps, at Is., £1 165.; 153 serge frocks, at Is. sid., £11 3s. H.; 200 serge trousers, at Is. 10d., £18 6s. Bd.; 46 serge caps, at Is., £2 65.; 94 flannel shirts, at 7d., £2 145., 120 towels, at Id., 10s.; 49 pillow-cases, at l|d., 6s. lid.; 1 hammock, at Is., Is.; 60 neckerchiefs, at 2d., 10s.; 14 sheets, at 6d., 75.; 25 canvas bags, at 25., £2 10s.; 3 tablecloths, at 6d., Is. 6d.; additions to piggery, 2 days, at 10s., £1; making rat-proof harness locker, 2 days at 10s., £1.; converting store info cart-sheds, 2 days at 10s., £1.; making cornbin, 2 days at 10s., £1.; making closet, 3 days at 10s., £1 10s. Total, £54 7s. 3d. * Of the 29 discharged, 9 were apprenticed, 9 were restored to parents by request, 1 was sent to gaol for larceny, and in the case of 10 their period of detention had expired. Of these last, 4 joined their friends and got employment, 1 was taken by an uncle to help in a fishing boat, 3 were sent home from the Government steamer, 1 joined his family, and has not since been heard of, and 1 was apprenticed to his father. Of the 30 boys admitted during the year, 13 had both parents alive, 13 had only one parent alive, 1 was without parents, and in the case of 3 one parent was alive, the other unknown. Return D shows the circumstances under which these 30 boys were admitted : Nine were sent from Auckland, 5 from Hamilton, 5 from Wellington, 2 from New Plymouth, and 1 from each of the following places: Palmerston North, Napier, Nelson, Tauranga, G-reymouth, Ilokitika, Thames, Riverton, and Westport,
:ad ite Cyj jher Particulars. Well. Indifferent. Not, Total. Well. Indif. ferent. Not. Total. Well. Indifferent. Not, Total. Remaining on 31st March, 1880 idmitted during twelve months ending 31st March, 1881 ... 20 33 3 56 28 28 56 14 41 1 56 3 10 17 30 1 13 16 30 2 4 24 30 Total ... 23 43 20 86 29 41 16 86 16 45 25 86 discharged during twelve months ending 31st March, 1881 ... Placed out on license .n district hospital ... Absent without leave Jemainiug on 31st March, 1881 18 2 10 1 1 1 5 29 2 1 1 53 18 2 10 1 1 1 5 29 2 1 1 53 15 2 13 1 1 1 15 29 2 1 1 53 13 35 13 35 18 35 Total ... 33 45 8 86 33 45 I 8 i 86 30 48 8 86
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RETURN D.—CIECTTMSTAKCES UNDEB WHICH BOYS WEBB ADMITTED DUEINtt THE YEAK BKDIN& SIST MAECH, 1881. Residing with step-mother, 1; stealing and selling a crop of pumpkins, 5 ; father a drunkard, and undergoing sentence in gaol, 1; found in destitute condition, living with Maoris, mother a prostitute and great drunkard, 1; living with step-father, 1 ; father deserted, 1; larceny from a tent (two elder brothers sentenced to two months' hard labour same time) 1 ; stealing fruit and vegetables; has a step-mother, 1; larceny, 2 ; mother in lunatic asylum, 1; father deserted, mother sickly and destitute, 2 ; father deserted, boy sleeping in outhouses and begging his food, 1 ; run away from family with whom he was boarded by Benevolent Society, 1; beyond mother's control, sleeping out, 2 ; guilty of several acts of larceny, parents recently from Russia, 1 ; no information received, 8 : total, 30. Nine of the above 30 were committed under section 8 of the Act, 9 under section 9, 10 under section 10, and 1 under section 11. Their ages were as follows : 7 were ten years of age, 14 were eleven years old, 4 were twelve, and 5 were thirteen years.
RETURN" E.—Abscondebs. The following is an abstract of the return of absconders during the year ending the 31st March, 1881: 38 different boys absconded during the year, there being altogether 57 cases of absconding. One boy absconded six times, and was brought back by police ; the last time he was sent to gaol for larceny of a boat; one boy absconded five times, was twice brought back by police, and thrice returned voluntarily ; one boy absconded four times, was thrice brought back by police, and once gave himself up to school officer; one boy absconded three times, was twice brought back by police, and once gave himself up to school officer; three boys absconded twice, and were brought back by police ; two boys absconded twice, were once brought back by police, and once returned voluntarily; seventeen absconded once, and were brought back by police ; ten absconded once, and returned voluntarily; one boy absconded once, and is still at large; one boy who absconded was charged by police with larceny of a boat, but, on the ground that it was his first appearance, was let off and sent back to school.
2. Report of Medical Officer. Naval Training Ship and School, Sib, — Kohimarama, Auckland, 30th June, 1881. I have the honor to report that the general health of the inmates of the Naval Training School at Kohimarama during the year ending the 31st March, 1881, has been good. No death has occurred during that period. There has been the usual amount of sickness and accidents incidental to boys, and a number of surgical cases, mostly of a minor character, requiring operations. One boy, a half-caste, suffered severely from phlegmonous erysipelas, and subsequent disease of the bones of the leg, requiring very energetic treatment, and many surgical operations. Not being able to give this case the attention necessary, at the school, I removed him to the Provincial District Hospital, Auckland, to be more immediately under my supervision and treatment. He has nearly recovered, and returned to light duty at the school. In my last report I asked for permission to pursue this course in cases of emergency, but no answer was given. I again request it. During the year I paid sixty-four visits to the school, twenty-seven to patients in the hospital, and made three special visits in the night to Mr. Thompson, suffering from low fever and colic, one to a boy who had poisoned himself by using tobacco, and one to the cook (Newton), who was seized with serous apoplexy. This man subsequently suffered from chronic rheumatism, and was ultimately discharged from the school. The number of cases attended at the school was 295, and twenty-seven at the Provincial District Hospital, to visit the sick inmates of the school. Since the establishment of the isolating ward, and the construction of the furnace for disinfecting clothes and bedding, the itch has given little trouble, and is immediately checked. I have examined every candidate for admission, and made a stripped weekly inspection of every boy in the school, and was thus enabled to prevent the spread of skin and other contagious disorders. During the winter months the weather is occasionally so bad as to render landing from the Government steam launch, at times impossible, even if it were safe to make the passage down, which sometimes is not the case. I have, therefore, at these times, to avail myself of the services of a public conveyance to make my weekly visits, by the road. I have, consequently, to ask that the cabfare heretofore allowed should be granted on such occasions, and in cases of emergency. The roads in the winter are so bad as to render a journey in a light vehicle almost an impossibility. I have again to thank Captain Breton, who has been most kind, energetic, and successful in the treatment of emergencies, &c, and during my absence never spared himself, and immediately appealed to me in any case requiring prompt attention. The diseases treated consisted of: Injury to eye, laceration of cornea, &c, resulting in loss of sight; fractured forearm, &c, from fall; concussion of the brain, from fall; synovitis, knee-joint, from fall; tobacco poisoning; serous apoplexy (cook Newton); remittent fever (schoolmaster Thompson) ; ophthalmia; abscess and boils ; abscess in the ears; enlarged glands; laryngeal diseases; bronchitic diseases; sore throat; itch, Maori-pock, &c.; ringworm ; colic; coughs and colds; stone bruises, &c, &c. The number of the boys in the school was as follows :—1880: 30th April, 55 ; 31st May, 58 ; 30th Juno, 59; 31st July, 59; 31st August, 55; 30th September, 52; 31st October, 52 ; 30th November, 51; 31st December, 55. 1881: 31st January, 53 ; 28th February, 51; 31st March, 52. I have, &c, Chakles "E. G-oudsbeo, M.D., F.R.C.P., Medical Officer, Government Training Ship The Secretary for Education. and School, Kohimarama.
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3. Report by the Secretary for Education. Sir,— Department of Education, Wellington, 29th October, 1880. I visited Kohimarama Naval Training School on the morning of "Wednesday, the 6th instant, and remained there until the afternoon of the next day, or about twenty-eight hours. I again visited the school on Monday the 18th, and spent several hours with the Manager in coming to an agreement on a number of matters which had been fully discussed by us at my former visit. During my first visit I made myself acquainted with one day's work as regards day-school, sewingroom, nautical instruction, cooking, meals, play and recreation, evening and morning prayers, going to bed, &c. I inspected the grounds, buildings, the schooner, and the Manager's books. I had long conversations with the Manager on a variety of subjects connected with the school. I talked with the officials, and noted how they went about their work. I went among the boys when at play, and watched their demeanour, and I was thus able to form an opinion generally as to the state of matters at the school. I found that there had been no Sub-Manager for a week or two, that a third seaman-instructor had been engaged to make up to some extent for the want of his services, and that Mr. Thompson, the schoolmaster, was discharging the more important of the Sub-Manager's duties. I asked the Manager to continue tliese arrangements, and to refrain from appointing another Sub-Manager until I should have an opportunity of submitting to you a proposal for a re-organization of the staff. The new schooner " Kohimarama" is now in the possession of the school, and a number of the boys have been receiving instruction on board. The services performed by the schooner and the Customs launch now render all but unnecessary the taking of the boat and crew (of boys) to Auckland. I append a note of requirements to render the schooner thoroughly fit for the work for which she is intended. The Manager informed me that he had noticed a decided improvement in the conduct of the boys generally, and of some of the officials, since Mr. Habens's visit, and he attributed this to that gentleman's intercourse with them, and the good advice he had tendered to them. I had reason to conclude, however, that the officers, or some of them, had to some extent failed to make on all occasions the very important distinction pointed out by Mr. Habens between trifling offences, often arising from mere boyish thoughtlessness, which might very well be overlooked or dealt with (if necessary) by the official himself, and those more aggravated forms of vice, disobedience, or insubordination, which ought to be reported to the Manager. In a short address which I delivered to the officers, when by themselves, I endeavoured to impress upon them the great necessity for the exercise of their own judgment in the making of this very important distinction. I tried also to impress upon them by argument and illustration the necessity of their ever keeping in mind the wholesome maxim : " First be yourselves all you would have your boys to be." Prom what reached my own ears when there, I deemed it necessary also to advise the officers to avoid the scolding and sometimes bullying tone of voice, in the issuing of directions to the boys, into which many people in authority (often unconsciously) fall. Mr. Habens's report* and the copious notes already submitted to you by him leave me little more to do than to report as to recommendations already made by that officer. I refer to these in the order of their importance :—■ The Appointment of a Certificated ScJwolmaster, and the better Classification of the Boys for School Instruction. —On my first communicating these proposals to the Manager he seemed to have difficulty in agreeing to them; and it was not until my second visit —after he had fully considered the arguments I had adduced in support of the proposed changes —'that he was able to assure me that he saw his way more clearly, and that he would endeavour loyally to give effect to your directions in this matter. It is unnecessary to mention the objections raised by the Manager. The chief difficulty apprehended by him was the impossibility of defining, with sufficient clearness, the relationship of the Manager and the schoolmaster to the school and to each other with reference to control and discipline. In the draft regulations appended to this report I have endeavoured to define the position and duties of the schoolmaster so as to leave the least possible room for any difficulty. There is some force in the Manager's objection to the proposed change in the classification of the boys for school attendance, more especially now that a number of them must be absent for some days at a time on board the schooner on a cruise, but Mr. Habens's reasons for the change of classification are so strong that it ought undoubtedly to be made, even though attended by some drawbacks as regards other arrangements. Be-organieation of the Staff1. —The question of the re-organization of the staff may well be considered in connection with the revision of the school arrangements. There is at present no SubManager. Mr. Thompson, the schoolmaster, has so acquitted himself as to gain the confidence of the Manager; and, to all appearance, he is a man whose services ought to be permanently retained for the institution. With the Manager's concurrence, I submit the following recommendations: —That the title of Sub-Manager be abolished; that Mr. Thompson be appointed chief seaman-instructor, at his present salary of £120 a year; that he fulfil the duties formerly performed by the Sub-Manager, the most important of which is the taking charge of the institution in the Manager's absence ; that he be granted the use of the quarters (a room and a kitchen) formerly occupied by the Sub-Manager, for himself, wife, and infant; and that, to avoid any difficulty as to food and cooking, he do not receive rations, fuel, or light from the school stores, but be paid a sum at the rate of £20 a year by way of commutation. I agree with Mr. Habens and the Manager, that a chief cause of the frequent change of officers, and of the difficulty of keeping good ones, has arisen from the inadequacy of the salaries, and the want of quarters for married men. The Manager assures me that, for £8 instead of £7 a month, a better class of men is likely to be got for the post of seaman instructor. But, assuming the impossibility of obtaining an increase of salary in any case, at the present time, I submit the following scheme of readjustment of staff and salaries : —
* Appendix to Journals of the House of Representatives, 1880, H.-IG.
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Present Staff. Proposed Staff. Manager (no food allowance) ... £240 Manager ... ... ... £240 Sub-Manager (and found) ... ... 150 First Seaman Instructor ... ... 120 Schoolmaster (and found) ... ... 120 Schoolmaster ... ... ... 130 Sewing Instructress (and found) ... 40 Sewing Instructress ... ... 40 Seaman Instructor (and found) ... 84 Seaman Instructor ... ... 84 Seaman Instructor (and found) ... 84 Seaman Instructor ... ... 84 Cook (male) ... ... ... 78 Cook (male) ... ... ... 78 Total ... ... £776 First Seaman Instructor (in lieu of board, fuel, &c.) ... ... 20 Total ... ... ... £796 Total ... ... £796 The saving of £30 from the Sub-Manager's salary enables me to add £10 to the schoolmaster's salary, and £20 to be paid to the first seaman-instructor in lieu of board, fuel, &c, without adding to the aggregate cost of the staff. But there would really be a saving of the cost of Mr. Thompson's food, &('., which he would have to provide for himself. Storekeeper. —The Manager and all the officers are employed during the whole of the day, with very short intervals, from the time they rise till late in the evening. The schoolmaster, as such, would only be employed, at the most, for six hours a day, including the two half-hours in supervising the boys* recreation. It is not likely that a certificated schoolmaster would be found willing to undertake the oversight of any of the manual work performed by the boys, as the seaman-instructors do ; and I therefore propose to fill up some of the schoolmaster's time by devolving upon him the duties of storekeeper and clerk. This would place him in a position of greater equality with the other officers, as regards hours of employment, and would thus remove a grievance which might be felt by them as to one officer of the establishment having a very great deal of time on his hands. It would alsoset the Manager free for a longer period to superintend the affairs of the school. Selection of ScJiooltnaster, and Inspection of School Department. —I quite agree with Mr. Habens that the Auckland Education Board could render valuable assistance, and I suggest that the Board be asked to recommend to you for appointment a suitable certificated teacher as schoolmaster, and to give the services of their Chief Inspector as Inspector of the school department, under section 6 of the Act. The Chief Inspector might be invited to visit the school soon, and make himself acquainted with its circumstances and requirements as regards school instruction and training. This would render it unnecessary to indicate the special qualifications essential to the successful holding of the office of schoolmaster, for I have every confidence that the Chief Inspector, from his large experience, would readily take in all the requirements of the case, and be able, of his own personal knowledge, to select a schoolmaster who would be likely to suit the position. It is extremely desirable that the schoolmaster should be able to teach singing well; and it would certainly prove a source of attraction if a fife-and-drum band could be organized, as has been done with such good results at Caversham. It is evident that, in addition to high character and professional skill, the schoolmaster should be possessed of much prudence and tact. Residences for Married Officers. —The Manager in his last and former reports points out how desirable it would be to have cottages for the accommodation of married officers. There can be no doubt that the prospect held out to Mr. Thompson of obtaining quarters at the school for his wife and child has been the means of retaining his services. I am of opinion that the presence of one or two sensible motherly women around the school would exercise a beneficial influence on the boys. From what I noticed, and from what the Manager said, I have reason to think that Mrs. Rose, the work instructress, does the boys a great deal of good by her kindly and motherly intercourse with them outside the hours of formal instruction. I believe, therefore, that the erection of one, or, if possible,, two cottages for married couples would greatly increase the attractiveness of the place to suitable assistants, and even to the boys. The cost of a cottage would probably be from £150 to £1.75. Terms of Appointment and Dismissal. —After discussing the matter with the Manager, I think Mr. Habens's proposal, that three months' notice to and from officers, before dismissal and resignation, might be advantageous and practicable in the case of the schoolmaster, the first seaman-instructor, and the work mistress, but that, in the case of the two ordinary seamen and the cook, the necessity for more than, say, one month's notice might be attended with inconvenience. In all engagements it should be stipulated that in case of gross misconduct the master should have the power to suspend, pending a reference to the Minister, whose decision should be binding on all parties. But it may occasionally happen that the Manager is obliged to accept the services of a person respecting whose character and competency he is unable to satisfy himself without a short trial. He might have, however, in such a case, to engage the person on trial for a few weeks. If such trial should prove satisfactory, an engagement might be entered into. Cart, Horse, and Implements. —There are about thirty acres of very good land connected with the school. A large portion is in excellent pasture, and supports four or five cows, which yield a fair supply of milk for the establishment. The boys raise from the other portions of the land a supply of vegeiables sufficient for all the year round, potatoes for nine months out of the twelve, and a good deal of green food for the cows and pigs. I quite agree with Mr. Habens as to the advisability and profitableness of supplying a horse, spring cart, light plough, and harrows to the school. There ought to be ready means of communication with Auckland by land, in case of accident, serious illness, &c, at times when passage by water is impracticable. The manager showed me that, by removing the necessity for the occasional hiring of a horse, cart, plough and harrows, a saving would be effected sufficient to pay interest on the cost of such articles and also to recoup the original outlay in a very few years. The horse's food would be all raised on the land. The horse and implements would aid in training the boys to farm work, and the animal would be a source of interest and attraction to them. 4—E. 6a.
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Schooner " Kohimarama." —The schooner is likely to be a useful auxiliary to the school, and a source of attraction to the boys. As, in the nature of the case, she has not to carry any cargo, she is proving too light for safety; she does not stand up to her canvas, or stay, if there is any wind or sea. The Manager, after careful consideration, recommends that the lower-deck be raised, to allow of more ballast being put into her. There is sufficient height between decks to admit of this without inconvenience. The cooking-galley would have to be altered, and a few more improvements made. The compass wants some re-adjusting, and the shore and ship's boats want some repairing. The estimated .cost is from £15 to £20. Sundry Repairs, S[c. —I have already referred to the pasture and the cows. One side of the fence •of the best paddock is so old and frail that it can be repaired no longer. A good fence is needed rather to keep stray cattle out than to keep the school cows in. The cost of a new post-and-rail fence is ■estimated at £20. The best of the old posts and rails would be utilized in repairing other fences. From the abundance of garden stuff the Manager could, with profit, go more extensively into pigbreeding and feeding. He asks for timber with which to extend the present accommodation. I recommend that he be authorised to purchase £5 worth. Some of the outhouses are leaking very 'badly, the shingles being utterly rotten. I recommend that tenders be obtained for re-shingling. An accurate spring-balance or weighing-machine is greatly needed, to test the weight of the supplies. I recommend that the Manager be asked to send in a requisition, so that the cost may be known. Punishment. —The paragraph in Mr. Habens's report relating to punishment merits careful consideration. I have already referred to the good results of Mr. Habens's visit, and to his and my efforts to impress upon the officers the importance of distinguishing clearly between trivial and grave forms of offence. lam sure it would be quite possible to reduce greatly the frequency of corporal punishment without in any way lessening the discipline. A change in this respect would tend greatly to the improvement of the tone and discipline of the school. I believe the infliction of corporal punishment in the presence of all the boys to have a hardening effect, and I recommend that trial be made of a somewhat different course. I suggest the following: —(1.) The officers to be enjoined to make judicious and reasonable distinction between mere boyish offences and grave forms of misconduct; to bring their own moral influence to bear in the case of the former ; and to report only the latter to the -Manager. (2.) The reports of the officers to be laid before the Manager at some stated time, and the 'necessary investigation to be made in presence of the boys ; when, instead of administering stern reproof or inflicting corporal punishment in public, he shall in ordinary cases direct the delinquents to meet him in his office by turns, and there deal with each as he deems best. This is not, however, to preclude the Manager from " improving the occasion" by addressing the assembled boys, explaining to them the nature and gravity of the offence, and of making known to them the punishment which, in .'his opinion, is due. lam sure that, in most cases, the very air of mystery which would thus surround the details of each case of punishment would have a deterrent effect upon the other boys. Even in the case of reproof, I am confident that kindly and affectionate remonstrance on the part of the Manager, when alone with the boy, will in almost all cases have a much more wholesome result than any amount of reproof in public. lam not prepared to say that corporal punishment in the school or the family can in all cases be entirely dispensed with ; but it is astonishing how little of it is really needed, when, along with sound judgment and kindly feeling, there is a strong determination to make it only a last resource. Many years' experience has convinced me of the soundness of the opinion expressed by Mr. Habens in his report, that " frequent [corporal] punishment tends to the increase of offences, that familiarity with the cane breeds contempt of it in many cases, and that some boys who dread punishment have so little hope of escaping it that they become reckless." lam not surprised that the Manager should have confessed to his having " proved that corporal punishment has a very slight deterrent effect." In the draft rule appended to this report I have amended the existing rule with reference to punishment, by striking out the phrase " caning by the Manager." [See printed rules, page 4.] I propose to abolish also the " placard with nature of offence to be worn on boy's back." I have, in the course of my experience in connection with industrial schools, witnessed very gratifying results from kindly and wisely directed efforts to get hold of the good, be it ever so little, which is to be found in almost every young heart, and to incite and foster feelings of self-respect; and I consider it a very hopeless case indeed when the degradation of the offender is the only resource left. It is clearly necessary for the discipline of the school, and only fair to the Manager, that he be left at liberty, as authorised by the Act, to administer such corporal punishment " as may be lawfully inflicted by schoolmasters." It is due to the Manager to say that I make all these suggested alterations as to punishment with his concurrence. The Manager. —I think it only fair to say that I have found cause to agree with Mr. Habens respecting Captain Breton's character and services. I spent a large portion of three days at the school, and had. an opportunity of becoming acquainted with himself, his opinions, and his work ; and the conclusion I have come to is that he is a strictly conscientious and thoroughly honourable man, and scrupulous, precise, and zealous in the performance of his duty. Punctuality, order, method, and strict discipline characterize the daily routine of the school. I believe that with the changes proposed to be made, and with the moral support and the assistance to which he is entitled (and which he will no doubt receive,) from yourself and the department, Captain Breton will be able to render a better account of the school in time to come. Suggestions. —The following is a summary of the attendance at the school at the end of each year, since it was opened in December, 1874 :—3oth June, 1875, 35 ; 30th June, 1876, 80; 30th June, 1877, 79; 30th June, 1878, 70; 30th June, 1879, 64; 31st March, 1880, 56. Unless something be done, there is no likelihood of this number being any larger (if so large) at the end of the current year.* During the nine months ending 31st March, 1880, 21 boys were admitted, and 29 were discharged. These last are classified as follows : —Apprenticed to sea, 4; apprenticed to farmers, &c, 7 ; returned
* 31st December, 1880, number of boys, 55.
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to relatives, 7; expelled, 1; over age, 1; time expired, 9. Of these last 9, the following account is given : Licensed on shore, 5 ; on board s.s. " Stella," 2 ; sent to friends, 1; absent without leave, 1. Thus, out of 29 boys discharged in nine months ending 31st March, 1880, only 6, or a trifle over onefifth, actually went to sea. Of those who have gone to sea since the opening of the school, about one-third are said to have absconded —namely, 22 out of 65. Mr. Habens is disposed to attribute this partly to the "vagrant habits of the boys, and the presence of a criminal element among them." This may be the case to some extent, but I venture to suggest another cause —namely, harsh and improper treatment of the boys by the masters of vessels. Without imputing blame to any one, I think it must be confessed that the school, especially of late, has not proved successful in securing the apprenticing of a fair number of the boys to the sea. I put it in this form, because the ultimate object of " The Naval Training Schools Act, 1874," is no doubt the apprenticing of boys to masters of vessels. There is good reason for saying that the school has very fairly trained a reasonable number of boys for the duties of seaman apprentice; but that, owing to causes beyond the control of the Manager and the Government, an insufficient number of them have actually gone to sea as apprentices. The boys have been trained for the purpose; but there is little or no demand for their services on board ships when they are ready. The fact seems to be that comparatively few boys are wanted in New Zealand as apprentice-seamen. But although only a small proportion of the boys leaving the school actually go to sea, yet the handicraft training received by them is of a most valuable character, and admirably fits them for other useful occupations in the colony. A very large proportion of the boys go to farm work. In addition to instruction in seamanship, including splicing, making of knots, &c, the boys when at the school make and mend their own clothes, and they learn gardening, hay-making, milking, and so much of farm work as is involved in raising a crop of potatoes or turnips. If horse, cart, plough, and harrows were granted, their practice in agriculture would be still further extended. The Manager states he has no difficulty in getting capable boys apprenticed to farm work and other shore occupations. Believing .the buildings, site, and land to be admirably adapted to the purposes of a naval training school, and also to those of an industrial school, I venture to submit the following suggestions for largely increasing the usefulness of the institution: —(1.) That no alteration be made to any extent in the course of training, but that the idea be abandoned that all the boys, or even the greater proportion of them, are to be expected to be apprenticed to the sea. (2.) That much larger use be made of the institution for the purposes of an industrial school for boys of suitable age within the colony —especially outside Canterbury and Otago Districts —who would come under the Neglected and Criminal Children Act, as well as for those who would come under the Naval Training Schools Act. I believe it would be quite competent to the Magisterial Bench to commit the same class of boys to Kohimarama as they could commit to an industrial school, provided they are not under ten nor over fourteen years old. (3.) It might be still better if, without affecting its status under the Naval Training Schools Act, the institution could also be proclaimed an industrial school under the Neglected and Criminal Children Act. This would allow greater latitude as to age and some other matters; and would enable the Government to rescind the proclamations making Burnham and Caversham Schools available for provincial districts outside Canterbury and Otago. It might also be possible to relieve the present pressure upon Burnham and Caversham Schools by removing some of the boys to Kohimarama, if such an arrangement could be legally effected. The cost per head per week at Kohimarama for food, fuel, light, soap, garden seeds, and in fact everything but clothing, is 3s. 6d. per week, or £9 2s. a year. The wages of the staff are £796, or about £717 after deduction of 10 per cent. £717 H- 56 (present number of boys) £12 165.; cost of food, &c, £9 25.: total present cost per boy, exclusive of clothes, £21 18s. The school could accommodate 100 boys easily, without any increase of cost of staff. With 100 boys the result would be: £717 -f- 100 boys, £7 3s. 4d.; cost of food, &c, as above, £9 25.: total cost per boy (if 100), £16 ss. 4d.; difference of cost per boy, £5 12s. Bd. As suggested by Mr. Habens, the dormitory might prove insufficient for 100 boys, but the following plan for increasing the sleeping accommodation merely, would enable more than 100—say, 125 —to be easily provided for: The present classroom and the dormitory form one building, and are only separated by a wooden partition. If my proposal should be accepted, and a much larger number of boys sent to Kohimarama, a detached school-house should be erected, and the whole of the present building made use of for sleeping purposes. Mr. Habens, in his printed report (bottom of page 4), explains why, from a sanitary point of view, the present arrangement as to classroom and dormitory is not satisfactory. I have, however, as already stated, authorised the erection of a closet and corridor for the use of the boys during the night. If this proposal as to a new classroom be entertained, the erection of a plavshed might be deferred, as a verandah along one side of the schoolhouse would be much less costly. The Hon. the Minister of Education. Joiijst His lop.
4. Extract from a Report of the Inspector-General of Schools. Naval Training School, Kohimarama. —I was at this school on the 17th May, on which day I addressed a memorandum to you with reference to the case of an officer temporarily suspended from duty. I have further to report that I found the newly-appointed schoolmaster at work, and the boys no longer attending school by watches, but classified according to their attainments. The school hours are not long enough for efficient instruction in all the subjects of the public school standards, which the master is taking at present as his directory. I recommend that he be informed through the Manager that he may omit elementary science, history of England, and drawing, and, if necessary, diminish the time devoted to the learning of poetry, and that Mr, O'Sullivan, the Auckland Inspector of Schools, be advised that the course is thus curtailed. The Manager informs me that the boys in general would be much more easily controlled and improved if three boys were removed. Should the organization and management of industrial schools be so affected by any legislative enactment
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during the present session of Parliament as to render it possible to remove these boys to an industrial school the manager of which has been unusually successful in reforming boys of vicious character, I should for several reasons like to see an experiment made by transferring them to his care. The records now kept under section 43 of the Stores Eegulations are, in my opinion, unnecessarily minute, cumbrous, and vexatious. If they can be simplified without disregard to the terms of the regulations much useless work may be prevented. The design of this institution as a Naval Training School makes it necessary to maintain a largo staff of instructors, whether the number of boys be large or small. At present the salaries alone entail an annual charge of about £14> on account of each boy under instruction. At the same time boys are committed much in the same way as they would be if the school were called a reformatory or industrial school, and are not carefully selected with a view to their fitness for the sea; aud, probably, if only the most suitable boys were sent, it would appear that the provision of a special school for training in seamanship was made in advance of the wants of the colony in this respect. None of the boys now in the school are yet capable of receiving instruction in navigation. The Hon. the Minister of Education. Wm. Jas. Habens. 30th May, iBBI.
Authority: Q-eorgk Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBl.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/AJHR1881-I.2.1.6.9
Bibliographic details
EDUCATION: INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS AND ORPHANAGES (PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of H.-1k, 1880.], Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1881 Session I, E-06a
Word Count
27,533EDUCATION: INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS AND ORPHANAGES (PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of H.-1k, 1880.] Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1881 Session I, E-06a
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