EDUCATION: INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS AND ORPHANAGES (PAPERS RELATING TO). [In Continuation of E.-3, 1884.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1885 Session I, E-03

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1885. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS AND ORPHANAGES (PAPERS RELATING TO). [In Continuation of E.-3, 1884.]

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

No. 1. EXTEACT FROM EIGHTH ANNUAL EEPOET OF THE MINISTEE OF EDUCATION. The following is a list of the industrial schools and orphanages maintained wholly or partly by the Government from votes of the General Assembly: In Auckland, the Auckland Industrial School (comprising Kohimarama and the Howe Street Home*), St. Stephen's Orphan Home at Parnell, St. Mary's Industrial School and Orphanage at Ponsonby, and the Thames Orphanage ; in Wellington, St, Joseph's Providence Industrial School and Orphanage for Girls; in Nelson, the St. Mary's Industrial School and Orphanage, and the Motueka Orphanage; in Canterbury, the Burnham Industrial School and the Lyttelton Orphanage; and in Otago, the Caversham Industrial School. The institutions under the direct management of the Education Department are the Auckland (Kohimarama and Howe Street*), the Burnham, and the Caversham Industrial Schools, and they are wholly maintained out of the vote administered by the Minister of Education. The other institutions are inspected by, and make returns to, the Education Department; but they are under local management of various kinds, and the money contributed by the Government towards their maintenance is defrayed out of the Charitable Aid vote, which is in charge of the Colonial Secretary. The St. Stephen's Orphanage at Parnell, maintained by a Church of England charity, is open for non-committed children only; the St. Mary's Industrial School and Orphanage at Ponsonby, under the control of the Eoman Catholic Church authorities, receives both committed and non-committed children. Each institution receives out of the Charitable Aid vote a subsidy at the rate of .£1 for every £1 contributed voluntarily, and a capitation grant of ,£lO for each child committed under the Act or placed in it by authority of the Government. The St. Joseph's Providence Industrial School and Orphanage at Wellington, and the St. Mary's Industrial School and Orphanage at Nelson, are under the control of the Roman Catholic Church authorities. The former receives girls only, the latter both boys and girls. The payment for children committed to these institutions under the Act, and for non-committed children sent to them by authority of the Government, is at the rate of Is. a day for each. Other poor children besides those paid for by the Government are maintained in the denominational institutions at Auckland, Wellington, and Nelson. The Thames Orphanage and the Lyttelton Orphanage are maintained wholly out of the Charitable Aid vote. The former is managed by a local committee, and receives committed and non-committed children; the latter is under the direct control of the Christchurch Charitable Aid Board, and receives non-committed children only.

* Now Kent Road.

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The Motueka Orphanage is carried on by a private person, who charges"at the rate of Bs. a week for each child sent by the Believing Officer at Nelson. There are two classes of children maintained in the industrial schools and orphanages : (1) Children committed to proclaimed industrial schools under the provisions of " The Industrial Schools Act, 1882," and (2) orphan and destitute children not so committed. The latter class comprises children admitted by the local governing body at its own instance, for whose maintenance payment from the public revenue is not always made; and children admitted on the order of a Government relieving officer, on whose account a capitation payment is made by the Government. Table E shows the number of committed and non-committed children belonging to the industrial schools and orphanages in 1884 who are maintained wholly or in part by the Government, and furnishes a variety of information concerning them:—

TABLE R.—Summary of Admissions, Withdrawals, etc., for 1884.

Committed. Boys. Girls. Total. Committed. Boys. Girls. Total. Non-conimitted. Boys. Girls. Total. Totals. 1. In the schools, 31st December, 1883 2. Boarded out, 31st December, 1883 511 95 288 111 799 206 91 1 111 3 202 4 602 ! 96 I ! 399 j 114 1,00: 211 3. Total number maintained, 31st December, 1883 4. At service, 31st December, 1883 5. With friends, 31st December, 1883 6. Absent without leave, 31st December, 1883 606 399 1,005 92 114 206 i 698 I i I 513 1,211 62 113 12 38 87 1 100 200 13 62 118 12 38 87 1 100 200 13 7. Total belonging to the schools, 31st December, 1883 8. Admitted during the year 1884 9. Transferred from other schools 793 525 1,318 92 114 206 885 639 l,52f 175 1 138 1 313 2 17 11 28 192 1 149 1 34: 10. To be accounted for, 31st December, 1884 11. Discharged and died during 1884 969 112 664 75 1,633 187 109 22 125 45 234 67 1,078 134 789 120 1,86' 25i 12. Total belonging to the schools, 31st December, 1884 13. Increase during the year 1884 (line 12, less line 7) 14. Increase of number maintained (line 27, less line 3) 857 589 1,446 87 80 167 944 669 1,61; 64 9 64 45 128 54 -5 -5 -34 -34 -39 -39 59 4 30 11 89 15 Particulars of commitments and admissions— 15. Destitute 16. Vagrant 17. Residing in brothel or other disreputable place 18. Uncontrollable 19. Guilty of punishable offence 20. Agreement to pay for maintenance I j 95 9 10 20 33 8 100 2 13 7 4 12 195 11 23 27 37 20 17 11 28 112 9 10 20 33 8 111 2 13 7 4 12 123 11 23 27 37 20 Totals as in line No. 8 313 17 11 28 192 149 341 175 138 Particulars of discharges— 21. Discharged by warrant 22. Returned to friends, &c. 23. Transferred to other industrial schools 24. Died i ! | 107 "l 4 68 "l 6 175 2 10 22 '44 66 107 22 1 4 68 44 1 7 17/ 61 I 1 1 1 I! Totals as in line No. 11 112 75 187 22 45 67 134 120 26, 25. In the schools, 31st December, 1884 26. Boarded out, 31st December, 1884 403 212 272 172 675 384 83 4 76 4 159 8 486 216 348 176 83< 39! 27. Total number maintained, 31st December, 1884 28. At service, 31st December, 1884 29. With friends, 31st December, 1884 30. In hospital, 31st December, 1884 81. Absent without leave, 31st December, 1884 615 444 1,059 87 80 167 702 524 1,221 121 101 2 18 80 62 2 1 201 163 4 19 121 i 101 2 ! 18 80 62 2 1 20: 16! t t 1! Totals as in line No. 12 857 589 1,440 87 80 1 167 i 944 669 1,61! Changes of status in 1884 of those still belonging to the schools — 32. Returned from service 33. Returned from friends 34. Returned from boarding out 85. Returned from absence without leave 86. Sent to service 37. Sent to friends 38. Sent to hospital 39. Boarded out 40. Absconded 6 4 5 1 71 54 6 1 5 12 5 10 1 117 75 1 193 11 " 6 4 5 71 54 6 1 5 46 21 1 70 1( 46 21 1 69 i 71 124 11 "3 1 ■ 4 '] 127 11 19' l:

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The committed children belonging to industrial schools may be separated into two classes—(l) those who are maintained at the public cost, and (2) those who have ceased to be chargeable to the colony. Those of the former class are either resident in the schools or are boarded with foster-parents; the other class is composed of those who are at service or with friends, or are absent without leave. The following were the numbers of both classes of children at the beginning and at the close of 1884 :— Maintained. Jan. 1, 1884. Jan. 1, 1885. Decrease. Increase. T nor ff se In the schools ... ... 799 675 124 With foster-parents ... 206 384 ... 178 Total maintained ... 1,005 1,059 124 178 54 Not maintained. At service ... ... 100 201 ... 101 With friends ... ... 200 163 37 In hospital ... ... ... 4 ... 4 Absent without leave ... 13 19 ... 6 Total not maintained 313 387 37 111 74 Total belonging to the schools ... 1,318 1,446 161 289 128 Notwithstanding the large number (313) of commitments during the year, the successful efforts of the Department and the managers in placing children out to service or with friends and foster-parents have effected a reduction of 124 in the number of committed children resident in the schools at the end of the year, while there has been an actual increase of only 54 in the number of them maintained at the public cost. The number of young persons recorded as being at service was doubled during the past year. This may be attributed partly to the greater efforts made to place out those who were of sufficient age and strength, and had reached the required " standard " of education, and to the provisions of " The Industrial Schools Act, 1882," that committed children shall remain under the legal guardianship of the manager until they reach the age of twenty-one years unless ■previously discharged, instead of their connection with the school ceasing at the expiration of a specified term. Owing to this provision, irrespective of any other cause, the number recorded as being at service will probably show a yearly increase for some time to come. The decrease in the number of children resident with friends is owing to very careful inquiry having been made in the course of the year regarding the character and circumstances of all those so placed out, with the satisfactory result that the Minister of Education felt warranted in recommending the absolute discharge of a very large number of them. Some of the children resident in the schools were absolutely restored to their parents, and a few young men and women were discharged because their good conduct warranted the severance of their connection with the schools. It was found necessary to discharge one young woman, whose conduct was of the worst possible description, and who proved utterly incorrigible. The total number discharged during the year was 175. The returns relating to non-committed children maintained by the Government show that the number admitted to the several institutions during 1884 was 28, and that 67 had left during the same period; thus reducing the number of Government children from 206 at the beginning of the year to 167 at its close. Of the latter number 159 were resident, and 8 were boarded with fosterparents. Of the 67 non-committed children whose connection with the Government ceased in the course of 1884, 34 were restored to their friends, 32 were placed at service, and 1 died. Table X shows that 341 children (313 committed and 28 non-committed) were placed in the industrial schools and orphanages during 1884; that there was at the close of the year an increase of 54 in the number of committed children who were maintained at the public expense, and a decrease of 39 in the number of non-committed children; and that consequently the net increase for the year in the number of children actually a charge upon the colony was only 15.*

* Fresh admissions, 341; transferred from other industrial schools, 2 : total, 343. Discharged by warrant, 175 ; non-committed children otherwise provided for, 66 ; transferred to other industrial schools, 2 ; died, 11; number still belonging to the schools who ceased to be maintained, 74; increase of number chargeable, 15 : total, 343.

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Under the Act of 1882, children are committed for detention in an industrial school till they attain the age of fifteen years, unless placed out under license or discharged; but they all continue under the legal guardianship of the manager, or the person to whom the guardianship may be transferred, until the age of twenty-one years is reached, unless previously discharged. The number over fifteen years under guardianship at the end of the year was as follows : — Males. Females. ™jg; In service ... ... ... 42 32 74 48 With friends ... ... ... 7 6 13 34 On the school staffs ... ... ... ... ... . 8 Waiting for situations, or incapacitated for service by sickness, &c. ... 1 16 17 34 Missing ... ... ... 4 1 5 9 Total... ... ... 54 55 109 133 Eeference has already been made to the causes that account for an increase in the number at service and for a decrease in the number placed with friends and awaiting situations. Experience has shown that it is not advisable, as a rule, to place any of these young people on the school staff, and that it is better to procure situations for them in suitable families. The particulars given in lines 15-20 of Table E, and the classification (in Table S) of the parents of the 313 committed children, supply information bearing on the causes of committal.

TABLE S.—Committed Children classified according to Parents' Circumstances and Character.

The fathers only of 70 children, and the mothers only of 58, were dead, and 10 had lost both parents by death ; the fathers only of 6 children, and the mothers only of 9, were sick, lunatic, or disabled, and in regard to 3 children both parents were entered under this. head. The fathers only of 55 children, and the mothers only of 98, were of good character (or described simply as poor), and 26 had both parents well reported of. The fathers only of 8 children, and the mothers only of 18, were unknown to the authorities, and in regard to 5 children there was no information about either parent. The fathers only of 32 children, and the mothers only of 41, were of bad character, and in the cases of 19 children both parents were of evil reputation. The fathers only of 68 children, and the mothers only of 15, had deserted them, and 11 had been abandoned by both parents. Table S furnishes data for the following classification of the parents' character :— Character. Fathers only of Mothers only of Both Parents of 1. Presumably good ... ... 39 children 73 children 131 children 2. Undoubtedly bad ... ... 83 39 47 3. Not stated ... ... 8 „ 18 „ 5 The information given in Table T respecting the parents of the 28 children placed in orphanages without being committed is also suggestive ; —

Mothers described aa Children of Dead. Sick, Lunatic, Disabled, &c. Of Good Character (or poor). Not known or not stated. ChSr. DeSOTteTotal. 'athers described as— Dead Sick, lunatic, disabled, &c. .. Of good character (or poor) .. Not known or not described .. Of bad character Deserters 10 30 6 3 55 1 26 8 5 9 1 9 3 7 6 19 16 2 10 2 1 11 80 9 81 13 51 79 17 11 1 2 4 38 Total 124 23 60 68 12 26 313

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TABLE T.—Parentage of Non-committed Children admitted to Orphanages in 1884.

From the information contained in this table the following classification may be made : — Character. Fathers only of Mothers only of Both parents of 1. Presumably good ... ... ... 6 children 5 children 15 children 2. Undoubtedly bad ... ... ... 3 „ 6 „ 1 „ 3. Not stated ... ... ... 3 „ 1 „ 0 The following is a summary of the ages of the children maintained by the Government who were resident at all the schools at the close of 1884: —

TABLE U.—Ages of the Children in Industrial Schools and Orphanages.

About 750 of the resident children were receiving day-school instruction, the numbers at the several institutions being as follows: Auckland Industrial School (Howe Street and Kohimarama), 87; Burnham, 138; Caversham, 165; St. Mary's, Auckland, 45 ; St. Mary's, Nelson, 183; St. Stephen's, Parnell, 13; St. Joseph's Providence, Wellington, 25 ; Motueka, 14; Lyttelton Orphanage, 80. Those at the Thames School, 28 in number, are included in the returns of "public school" attendance. Information as to the degree of education and the school previously attended is obtained, as far as practicable, in regard to every child committed to an industrial school. Table V furnishes information concerning the schools attended by those committed in 1884.

TABLE V.—Schools attended before Admission.

It is required by section 53 of the Act of 1882 that "the Governor, or any Judge or Eesident Magistrate, shall, when ordering any child to be sent to a school, state to what religious persuasion, creed, or denomination such child in his opinion belongs, and shall order and direct that such child shall be brought up and educated in that persuasion, creed, or denomination." The following is a summary of the religious denominations of the children admitted to the industrial schools and orphanages in 1884 ;—

VIothers del (cribed as Children of Total. Dead. Sick, Lunatic, Disabled, &c. Of Good Character (or poor). Not known or not stated. Of Bad Character. Deserters. 'ather described as— Dead Sick, lunatic, disabled, &c. Of good character (or poor) Not known or not described Of bad character Deserters 2 2 9 1 i 1 2 1 2 3 7 2 12 3 2 1 1 4 Total .. 28 13

Under 1 Year. 1 and under 2. and nder 3. 3 aud under i. 4 and under 5. 5 and under 7. 7 and under 10. 10 and under 13. 13 and under 15. Over 15 Years. Total. lommitted children 1 3 5 7 13 59 142 293 134 18 675 Jon-committed children .. 1 1 3 8 50 69 21 6 159 Total 1 4 5 8 16 67 192 362 155 24 834

Classification of Schools. Committed Children. Non-Committed Children. Total. ioard schools 'rivate schools toman Catholic schools .ttended no school .. 138 2 44 129 18 156 2 45 138 1 9 Total 313 28 341

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TABLE W.— Religious Denominations of Children committed or admitted in 1884.

Last year's report contains very full information concerning the arrangements made for the boarding-out of the younger children with foster-parents under the provisions of the Industrial Schools Act.* Additional instructions issued to managers of industrial schools and official correspondents last year are appended. The reports both of the local visitors and of the visiting officer of the department continue to be, on the whole, of a very satisfactory and encouraging character, and give assurance that the boarding-out scheme is proving successful. It is due to the Official Correspondents and the Lady Visitors to acknowledge the great value of their services, which, in the case of the latter, are gratuitously rendered. At the outset only children under seven years of age were boarded with foster-parents, but the age is now extended to ten years ; and, except in the case of very young infants, a uniform payment of 7s. a week is usually made. The following is a summary of information respecting the children boarded out on the 31st December, 1884 :—

TABLE X.—Information concerning Foster-children.

The amount of payments obtained from parents for the maintenance of their children in the industrial schools and orphanages is larger than in any previous year. The amounts for the last three years are as follows :— £ s. a. Total for 1884 ... ... ... ... ... 1,438 0 3 Total for 1883 ... ... ... ... ... 1,335 16 7 Total for 1882 ... ... ... ... ... 1,130 13 4 The following is a summary of the children's wages accounts for the Government Industrial Schools for 1884 : — Amount in bank at close of year — £ s. d. £ s. d. On account of former inmates ... 1,451 11 3 „ present inmates ... 1,290 17 1 . 2,742 8 4 Amount due by employers at close of year ... ... ... 421 9 9 Amount withdrawn in 1884 ... ... ... ... 190 2 3 It is required by the Act that the earnings of the children when at service shall be placed in the Post Office Savings Bank, after defraying the cost of clothing and other necessaries. The payment of these moneys, with accrued interest, to the young people is contingent on good conduct. The boys usually receive theirs on reaching manhood and showing that the money will be properly disposed of by them. The girls' money is usually paid to them on their marriage. It is due to the Commissioner and the members of the police force, both at head-quarters and throughout the colony, to acknowledge the valuable assistance which they continue to render in the administration of the Industrial Schools Act. The nature of these services is more particularly described in last year's report (E.-l, 1884, pp. xxv. and xxvi.). The demands necessarily made by

* See Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, E.-l, 1884, pp. xxiv.-xxvi,, and E.-3, 1884,

Denomination. Committed. Non-Committed. Total. Jhurch of England .. Ionian Catholic 'resbyterian Vesleyan 130 130 37 16 21 4 3 151 134 40 16 Total 313 28 341

Number of Children. Schools. Official Correspondents. Local Visitors. In the City and In Country Suburbs. Localities. Total. oickland iurnham laversham .. 1 1 1 14 20 23 62 66 136 15 72 41 77 138 177 Total .. 57 264 128 392

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the Education Department upon the services of the police force are numerous and increasing, and its members have ever shown the utmost willingness to render all the assistance in their power. The Clerks of Besident Magistrates' Courts are appointed receivers of maintenance money owing by parents, and it is due to a number of them to acknowledge the services they render.

No. 2. Mbmoeandum by the Sbcbetaby for Education. Table E of the annual report of the Minister of Education* supplies a summary of the admissions, withdrawals, &c, at all the industrial schools and orphanages under the management or inspection of the Education Department. Corresponding information concerning each of the institutions is contained in the following Tables Nos. 1 and 2 :—

TABLE No. 1.—Summary of Admissions, Withdrawals, etc. (Committed Children).

_ o M 01 02 +3 O P. o o H Auckland. to 4_ _ o o 9 B £ g _ m S $ o a EH o ■§ Boys. S 9 a g fl J-H a! s o to w 9 „ _ > (S o _ 3 _ _ c +3 - 01 !. -P w o . o w ka _a _ * a ccPh _ _ _ O Girl: Si £■ a i II '&§ I 1 _ d __ t_ fl _ Particulars. 1. In the schools, 31st Dec, 1883 2. Boarded out, 31st Dec, 1883.. 799 206 511 95 5 13 100 3 6 02 179 38 159 41 288 111 32 15 45 4 59 54 40 94 56 3. Total number maintained, 31st Dec, 1883 4. At service, 31st Dec, 1883 .. 5. With friends, 31st Dec, 1883.. 6. Absent without leave, 31st Dec, 1883 1,005 606 18 103 6 62 217 200 399 47 45 4 59 94 150 100 200 13 62 113 12 i ! 21 8 3 1 1 1 11 22 4 29 80 5 38 87 1 14 3 1 1 i *3 15 11 9 68 •• i 7. Total belonging to the schools, 31st Dec, 1883 8. Committed during the year 1884 9. Transferred from other schools 1,318 793 19 I ! 135 8 I j 63 254 314 525 G5 46 5 62 120 227 313 2 175 1 16 l ! 24 4 38 47 46 1 138 1 19 17 1 1 17 23 31 30 I \ 10. To be accounted for, 31st Dec, . 1884 11. Discharged and died during '84 1,633 969 35 ! j 159 12 101 301 301 664 84 64 0 17 85 151 257 187 112 3 j ', 18 1 10 14 66 75 11 7 1 6 1 49 12. Totals belonging to the schools, 31st Dec, 1884 ! 1,446 857 32 141 11 91 287 295 589 73 57 0 10 79 150 208 13. Increase or decrease in 1884 (line 12, less line 7) 14. Increase or decrease of number maintained (line 27, less line 3) 128 64 13 0 3 28 33 -19 64 8 11 1 10 17 30 -19 54 9 13 -1 2 24 -30 1 45 -7 5 16 20 11 Particulars of Commitments — 15. Destitute 16. Vagrant 17. Besiding in brothel or other disreputable place 18. Uncontrollable 19. Guilty of punishable offences 20. Agreement to pay for maintenance 195 11 23 27 37 20 95 9 10 20 33 8 7 1 4 4 4 1 10 1 4 2 2 27 1 2 4 4 20 3 2 4 12 29 i 100 2 13 7 4 12 14 *3 7 2 1 1 16 i 15 *4 22 *4 4 1 25 "l 2 2 "i 10 _ 7 i 3 Totals as in line No. 8 .. 175 16 24 4 38 47 46 138 19 17 1 17 23 31 30 313 Particulars of Discharges, &c— 21. Discharged by warrant 23. Transferred to other industrial schools 24. Died 175 2 107 1 3 17 1 10 13 1 63 68 1 9 1 6 5 1 47 10 4 1 3 6 1 1 1 1 2 Totals as in line No. 11 187 112 3 20 1 10 14 66 75 11 7 1 6 49 25. In the schools, 31st Dec, 1884 26. Boarded out, Slst Dec, 1884.. 675 384 403 212 4 27 84 18 8 80 113 74 108 93 272 172 12 28 50 4 16 79 45 00 66 84 27. Total number maintained, 31st Dec, 1884 28. At service, 31st Dec, 1884 .. 29. With friends, 31st Dec, 1884.. 30. In hospital, 31st Dec, 1884 .. 31. Absent without leave 1,059 615 31 102 8 80 187 201 444 40 50 4 16 79 105 150 201 163 4 19 121 101 2 18 i 24 11 1 2 4 1 45 45 2 8 47 41 80 G2 2 1 23 8 1 1 5 2 1 1 26 19 25 32 1 "i *6 Totals as in line No. 12 .. 1,446 857 32 141 11 91 287 295 589 73 57 6 16 79 208 150 * See ante, p. 2.

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TABLE No. 2.—Summary of Admissions, Withdrawals, etc. (Non-committed Children).

Iv addition to 159 non-committed children resident in the institutions, 4 from Howe Street Home, and 4 from Burnham School, were boarded out with foster-parents, making in all 167 non-committed children maintained by Government at the end of 1884, as shown in line No. 12 of Table E. Of the 71 children who left during the year, 4 who had been admitted to Burnham School by an arrangement with the father, a widower, under the provisions of section 24 of the Act, were placed with foster-parents; 1 girl died in St. Joseph's, Wellington; 32 were placed at service; and 34 were restored to their friends. The following is a summary of the payments made by the Government on account of all the industrial schools and orphanages during the financial year ending the 31st March, 1885 :—

TABLE No. 3.—Expenditure by Government on Industrial Schools and Orphanages.

In addition to the current expenditure shown in Table No. 3, the sum of £994 18s. was spent during the year on buildings and works of a permanent character at the Government institutions. The amount charged against Lyttelton Orphanage includes the sum of £246 6s. 4d. expended on permanent repairs, which reduces the net expenditure on current purposes to £2,240 16s. 7d. The monthly returns made" by the managers show the average number of children resident in the several institutions and the number boarded out with foster-parents, and from these returns the average number for the year is ascertained. The following table has been compiled with a view to show the average number maintained by the Government belonging to each institution, and the average cost to Government of each child : —

TABLE No. 4.—Average Number and Cost of Resident and Foster-children for Year 1884-85.

* Exclusive of 41 children admitted by the Committee at its own instance.

Institutions. In 31st I the Schc lecembe; tola f, 1883. Adrniti ;od during 1884. Left (sent o" Foe during ut, died, >ter-par( 1884 or with ents). In 31st I the Sch( )ecembei tols :, 1884. lowe Street, Auckland Cohimarama it. Mary's, Ponsonby .. it. Stephen's, Parnell.. ?hames Orphanage It. Joseph's, Wellington it. Mary's, Nelson lotueka Orphanage .. jyttelton Orphanage .. iurnham Boys. 1 14 6 Girls. 5 4 5 2 22 27 17 29 Total. 5 1 4 19 8 22 31 27 85 Boys. 5 Girls. 4 Total. *9 Boys. 'a 5 Girls. 2 3 1 10 s Total. 2 6 6 10 14 11 18 4 Boys. 1 11 6 Girls. 3 4 2 5 12 14 10 26 Total. 3 1 4 13 11 12 18 16 81 4 10 56 1 1 14 4 4 6 55 9 3 5 1 Total.. 91 111 i | 202 17 ! 28 25 46 71 83 76 159 11

Institutions. Gross Expenditure by Governme: at. Total. Deduct —! Recoveries Net from Expenditure. Parents, &c. Salaries. General PosterMaintenance, j children. Auckland (Kohimarama and Howe Street) Burnham Caversham St. Mary's, Ponsonby St. Stephen's, Parnell Thames Orphanage St. Joseph's, Wellington St. Mary's, Nelson Motueka Orphanage Lyttelton Orphanage General contingencies £ s. d. 683 7 0 £ s. d. £ 3. d. 2,201 8 0 1,336 6 3 A s. d. 4,221 1 3 £ s. d. 409 14 4 £ s. d. 3,811 6 11 948 11 4 1,180 17 3 2,984 5 6 2,483 4 2 2,693 8 9 3,132 7 10 6,416 1 0 7,006 13 10 955 17 9 1,066 5 3 611 16 1 422 4 0 3,177 2 0 472 11 2 2,566 15 7 273 6 4 443 13 6 286 18 10 61 18 6 5,972 7 6 6,719 15 0 893 19 3 1,066 5 3 448 17 7 409 3 0 3,019 9 0 472 11 2 2,487 2 11 273 6 4 i i 162 18 6 13 1 0 157 13 0 79 12 8 Total 2,812 15 7 i 7,879 2 3 | 6,951 18 3 i 27,189 14 3 1,615 10 4 25,574 3 11

Average Number maintained. Total Cost to Government after Deduction of Eecoveries. Average Cost per Child. Schools. For Year. For Week. For Day. Resident. Boarded out Auckland (Howe Street and Kohimarama) 3urnham Javersham Cham es Orphanage jytfcelton Orphanage St. Joseph's, Wellington St. Mary's, Nelson lotueka Orphanage St. Stephen's, Pamell it. Mary's, Ponsonby 110 197 210 23 84 24 173 20 15* 51 78 119 148 £ s. a. 3,811 6 11 5,972 7 6 6,719 15 0 448 17 7 2,240 16 7 409 3 0 3,019 9 0 472 11 2 1,066 5 3 893 19 3 £ s. a. 20 5 5£ 18 18 0 18 15 5 19 10 4 26 13 6 18 5 0 18 5 0 20 3 3 s s. a. 0 7 9 0 7 3 0 7 2f 0 7 6 0 10 3 0 7 0 0 7 0 0 7 9 £ s. d. 0 1 1} 0 1 OJ 0 1 0| Oil 0 1 5| 0 10 0 10 0 1 1| 17 10 6| 0 6 9 0 0 11J Total 907 345

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The Government pays at a fixed rate of 7s. a week for every child placed in St. Joseph's, Wellington, and St. Mary's, Nelson. The agreement made with the authorities of St. Stephen's, Parnell, and St. Mary's, Ponsonby, is to the effect that £10 a year shall be paid for every child sent to them by the Government; and also a subsidy of £1 for £1 on the subscriptions and donations received from the supporters of the institutions. The average cost to the Government of the children in St. Mary's, Ponsonby, was 6s. 9d. a week. The average number of children in- St. Stephen's Orphanage for the year was 56, but only fifteen of them were there at the instance of the Government. In the Motueka Orphanage there were five children at 7s. a week, and fifteen at Bs. The amount paid by the Government to the authorities of these institutions is on account of board, lodging, clothing, attendance, education, medical aid, and all other charges. The average cost of the children belonging to the Government Industrial Schools at Auckland, Burnham, and Caversham, shown in Table No. 4, is on account of resident and boarded-out children taken together ; the corresponding tables in former reports gave the average cost of resident children only. It is impossible to show with accuracy the average cost of the two classes of children separately, because a large number of them were resident in the schools for a longer or shorter portion of the year, and boarded out during another portion; and, in regard to clothing and some other matters, it is very difficult to distinguish between the expenditure upon them as residents and the expenditure upon them as foster-children. Arrangements have now been made with the Boards of the education districts in which the several industrial schools and orphanages are situated for the regular inspection, by the Boards' Inspectors of Schools, of the day-schools connected with all of them. John Hislop.

No. 3. Dr. Puechas's Eepoet on the Auckland Schools. Sic, — Auckland, 3rd August, 1885. I have to report the result of my quarterly inspections of the industrial schools at Howe Street and Kohimarama during the year ending the 30th June, 1885. The introduction of the boarding-out system has very much diminished the number of children at both schools, and has practically reduced the one in the city to a receiving-house for new cases, pending the appointment of suitable persons to board them. The Howe Street Home has, therefore, been given up as no longer suitable, and the matron and children have been transferred to a site near the junction of Karangahape and Ponsonby Roads, where convenient premises, called " Walmsley House," have been leased and fitted up for their reception. The matron, Miss Jackson, reports favourably of the change. The house is always thoroughly clean and tidy, and the health df the inmates is good. During the year I have been called to attend some of the foster-children, who have all done well. I wish to take this opportunity of stating that, as far as I have had the means of observing, the boarding-out system seems to work well for the children, who, in most cases, seem to be happy and thriving, and a credit to those who have charge of them. The Kohimarama school—or some establishment of a similar kind—will, I think, always be required for boys who have been guilty of petty crimes, and therefore would not, as a rule, be willingly taken into private houses on any terms. The number of boys in that school at my last inspection on the 30th June was sixty-four, and there was one absconder, who had not been traced. The general health was good; but there were one or two cases of scabies, from which the school had been free for a long period. There was an absence of comfort and contentment in the appearance of the boys which one could not help noticing, and which is probably mainly due to the unhappy conditions in which they have been brought up. The building was clean and in fair order, but the cooking apparatus was defective. I recommend that a new Leamington range be provided and fixed, in place of the present wasteful and inefficient arrangement.* I have, &c, A. G. Puechas, M.R.C.S. Eng., Medical Officer in charge of Auckland Industrial Schools. The Secretary, Education Department, Wellington.

No. 4. Dr. Peins's Report on Buenham School. Sib,— Christchurch, Ist May, 1885. I have the honor to forward my report on the industrial school at Burnham for the year ending the 31st March last. 1 am glad to be in a position to inform you that, although there have been a few trifling cases of illness, the inmates have generally enjoyed good health. Appended to this report you will find a list of those who were removed to the Christchurch Hospital for treatment. I also append a list of those who have been vaccinated and revaccinated.

* This has already been done. — Sec. fob Education,

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A list of those treated by me, who have been placed under the care of foster-parents, is also 1 given. The plan of boarding-out children has been found to answer very well indeed ; and it is to be hoped that the Government will see their way to extend the system as much as lies in their power. The following is a record of the manner in which the inmates of the school are distributed: — Boys. Girls. Total. In the institution ... ... ... ... 106 52 158 At service ... .., ... ... ... 54 26 80 Boarded out ... ... ... ... ... 87 . 59 156 With friends ... ... ... ... ... 27 14 41 Missing ... ... ... ... ... 8 0 8 In hospital ... ... ... ... ... 1 0 1 Total ... ... ... 283 161 444 The institution has been kept throughout in a clean and orderly manner. The alterations in the nursery have been effected, and answer exceedingly well. The chimney in the dining-room has been removed, thus greatly improving the appearance of the room and affording increased accommodation. The wall which divided the boys' dormitory has also been removed. This alteration has very materially improved the appearance of the apartment, and has added to the comfort and healthiness of the inmates. The water-supply has been increased, and the drainage improved and attended to. The old swimming-bath has been converted into a play-shed, and answers the purpose admirably. A newand complete swimming-bath has been constructed. This is one of the most important improvements that have been effected at the institution. The bath is 83ft. by 32ft., and it has an average depth of 4ft. As there is a constant flow of water through the bath, its contents are kept perfectly sweet. In a former report I directed attention to the great importance of excluding criminal children from this institution. I have given my attention to this matter from time to time since, and lam more than ever convinced of the injury that will be inflicted on the 'institution if criminal children are introduced in any numbers. I cannot close this report without bearing testimony to the able and efficient manner in which Mr. Carson has carried out all alterations in the building. I desire also to point out that both Mr. Carson and the other officers of the establishment have shown a praiseworthy desire to render those under their care as comfortable and happy as the circumstances would permit. I have, &c, H. H. Peins, The Hon. the Minister of Education. Medical Officer.

No. 5. Dr. Bubns's Eepoht on Caveesham School. Sic, — The Industrial School, Caversham, 31st March, 1885. I have the honour to report that the past year has been marked by nothing eventful. The health of the inmates has been good, and no death has occurred in the institution. Very little sickness existed amongst the boarded-out children, and one death occurred, in the case of Albert Barnes, aged seven years, from croup. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. Eobeet Buens, F.B.C.S.E.

No. 6. PARNELL ORPHAN HOME. Bepobt of the Managers for the Year ending 31st March, 1885. The Board of Management have again the pleasure to report the steady and satisfactory progress of the institution. There are now 57 inmates in the Home, namely, 41 boys and 16 girls. This is a decrease in numbers as compared with last year. During the past year 20 children have been admitted into the Home, while 25 have been removed by relatives, and 2 have been placed at service. Two of the children have been admitted on the nomination of Government, making 15 children at present in the Home toward whose maintenance the Government contributes. Three of the children in the Home were originally paid for by Government, but, having attained the age of twelve years, the payments on their account have ceased, and they are now maintained at the cost of the institution. The disproportion between the sexes still continues. To meet the want of room occasioned by this disparity zhe Board during the past year have devoted part of the legacy of the late Mr. Sauerbier to the erection of a western wing to the building, to which the name of " The

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Sauerbier Wing" has been given. This pleasant and airy room gives ample space for twenty-four more beds, which are set apart for boys. The dormitories for both boys and girls are now so arranged as to give bgress from them to the exterior of the building at each end, as well as in the middle of the building, thus minimizing the danger in case of fire. The Board have long felt it desirable that the man employed about the Home should reside on the premises, so that his services might be immediately available by night or day in any case of urgency or alarm. With this view they have had a cottage erected at the entrance to the grounds, which is generally admitted to be both a useful and an ornamental addition to the Home. Through the kind, representations of Mr. Moss, M.H.E. for Parnell, the Government have connected the Home with the telephone exchange on very favourable terms, thus greatly facilitating communication between the officials in town and those at the institution. The Board during the past year have had the Home connected with the Parnell Borough water-supply, and have also had the gas laid on to the children's play-room. The vistors to the Home will have, no doubt, observed the improved access given to the Home by the cutting down of the road leading from the Avenue, for which good service the Board and subscribers are indebted to the boys of the St. Stephen's Native Institution, under the gratuitous and able direction of Mr. Smith, the manager. The income for the year amounts to £2,155 16s. 4d., and the expenditure to £1,594 3s. 7d., particulars of which will be found in the Treasurer's statement of accounts. The Board have received £12,000 on account of the bequest of the late Mr. Costley, £11,300 of which is invested on mortgage, and the balance stands on deposit at interest. Messrs. Pierce, Eawlings, and Walker have been appointed by the Board trustees of the properties and moneys receivable under this bequest, and they have executed the requisite deed of trust. The Board would reiterate the opinion expressed in their last year's report " that they can only deal with that bequest as an endowment for the institution," and would impress upon the friends of the Home that there should be no diminution of their efforts and liberality if they desire the Home to be efficiently and successfully carried on, and its usefulness extended. The Government Department of Education having suggested that the school at the Home should be periodically inspected and reported upon by the Inspector of the Board of Education, your Board have concurred in the suggestion, believing such an inspection will tend to greater emulation in the scholars, and to a higher standard and better classification in the work of the school. The Board have to record with regret the loss the institution has sustained by the death of Mr. Barton Ireland. Mr. Ireland had been a useful and energetic member of the Board for the last five years, prior to which period he had acted for several years as one of the Auditors, and had always shown a great interest in the Home and in the welfare of the children. General Gosset has been elected to the vacancy on the Board occasioned by Mr. Ireland's death. The Board have also, with regret, to announce the resignation of Mrs. Judd, in consequence of change of residence, of the office of Superintendent of Clothing, held by her for the last ten years. The service rendered to the institution during that period by Mrs. Judd can only be fully appreciated by those who are aware of the time and labour which she devoted to the office, and the great self-sacrifice she practised in performing its duties. The Board desire to place on record their high estimation of the services rendered by Mrs. Judd to the institution, and of the great loss it sustains by her resignation. The Board desire to tender their very hearty thanks to the lady canvassers for their self-denying services during the past year, and trust that they will not allow themselves to be discouraged, but will prosecute the forthcoming canvass with renewed zeal and vigour, keeping in mind that every pound they collect is supplemented by one from Government, and that thus they are doubly promoting the good work in which they and the Board are engaged. The Board would also express their grateful acknowledgments to the clergy who organized and reported the canvass for subscriptions in their respective parishes, and to the many kind friends who have in various ways contributed to the support of the Home, or the improvement or entertainment of the children. Without disparagement to others, they desire especially to refer to the Union Steam Shipping Company, Mr. T. Henderson, jun., their local manager, and Captain McGee, of the "Te Anau," for the annual treat and trip to Motutapu; to Mr. Crowther for his usual gratuitous supply of conveyances for the children to and from the steamer; to the Devonport and Northcote Steam Ferry Companies for free passes for the children of the Home by their boats; to Mrs. Holland for the gift of a cow: to the Eev. W. Tebbs and Mrs. Tebbs for the examination of the school; to Mrs. Eeader Wood for her annual kind treat and presents to the children ; and to Mr. and Mrs. Eaynes for their annual liberal gifts for the children's Christmas dinner. The Orphan Home has now been established a quarter of a century. During that period it has maintained, educated, and placed in a respectable station of life many orphan and destitute children, who would otherwise have been left to swell the numbers of the vicious and depraved in our community. To mention one simple instance : The Board had recently an application from a respectable couple to adopt a child from the Home. It transpired that the female applicant was, as a child, one of those for whose special care and maintenance the revered founder of the Home made himself personally responsible under solemn promise to their dying mother, and for whom in the first instance he established the Home. The institution by its work commends itself not alone to the social economist, the philanthropist, and the earnest Christian, but to the hearty and liberal support of all classes of the community. The report of the honorary Medical Officer (Dr. Coon) shows that the health of the children during the year had been good.

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The Treasurer in Account with the Paenell Orphan Home. Statement for the Year ending Slst March, 1885. Db. £ s. d. Cr. £ s d To Balance, Ist April, 1884 .. .. 619 3 4 By Salaries, wages, &o. .. 406 10 0 Subscriptions and donations, viz.:— Food, &c. .. .. 224 1 3 St. Paul's .. .. £90 11 2 Clothing, &c. .. .'.' .'.' .'.' 75 14 7 St. Matthew's .. 44 3 0 Coal, &o. .. 11 19 1 St. Mary's .. .. 31 1 6 Gas .. .. .. ! i 11 1 8 St. Sepulchre's .. 49 17 9 Borough, water, and drainage rates, and All Saints .. .. 33 5 6 water-supply .. .. .. 12 3 6 St. Mark's .. .. 31 10 0 House-furnishing, &c. .. .. 33 5 3 Holy Trinity, Devonport 13 15 0 Medicine and hair-cutting .. 20 0 4 Mount Albert .. 010 0 Books, stationery, printing, &o. .. .. 39 5 3 St. John's College .. 16 6 Fire insurance .. .. .. 16 14 0 Papakura .. .. 4 16 0 Postages and sundries .. 36 2 4 Bombay .. .. 2 10 Cost of erecting, &c, " Sauerbier Wing".. 165 18 8 Pukekohe.. .. 13 6 Cost of erecting, &c, lodge .. .. 376 3 6 Whangarei.. .. 10 0 Improvements, repairs, fencing, and laying Maungakaremea .. 010 0 on water-service .. .. 105 14 9 Miscellaneous .. 57 7 7 Cow-feed, &c. .. .. .. nl6 6 362 18 6 Paddock top-dressing, &c. .. 8 0 6 Contributions towards maintenance, Bank interest.. 412 10 ™:— Contribution towards maintenance reFrom Government .. £172 10 0 funded .. .. .. 22 0 0 From relatives of children 212 5 8 Maintenance of youth at St. Stephen's 384 15 8 Institution.. .. .. .. 13 0 0 Trustees of the late W. Morrin, Esq. 56 5 0 Interest on deposits ...... 52 18 4 -y 594 g 7 Interest transferred from Costley Fund Balance, viz.:— Account .. .. .. .. 388 17 9 Bank of New Zealand £288 19 2 Contributions towards fencing from ad- Savings Bank .. 165 14 10 joining landowners .. .. .. 9 18 4 Fixed deposits 730 0 0 Government subsidy of £1 per £1 from - Ist October, 1882, to 31st March, 1884 893 15 3 1,184 14 0 House-furnishing Account, refund .. 1 11 0 Less due to Treasurer 3 17 11 Proceeds sale of cow .. .. .. 416 6 1,180 16 1 £2,774 19 8 £2/774" 19 8

The Teeasubeb in Account with the Costley Bequest Fund, Pabnell Oephan Home. Statement for the Year ending Slst March, 188 S. Dr. £ s. d. ob. £ s . d . To Received from the Executors of the late To Invested on mortgage .. 11,300 0 0 Edward Costley, Esq. .. .. 12,000 0 0 Invested on deposit .. .. .. '700 0 0 Interest received on investments .. 393 12 3 Law charges re trust-deed, &o. 4 14 6 Interest transferred to Orphan Home General Account .. .. 388 17 9 £12,393 12 3 ■ £12,393 12 3

Masonic Orphan Fund Account for the Year ending 31st March, 1885, in Account with the Treasures of the paenell orphan home. The Ara Lodge, 348, 1.C., Masonic Orphan Fund. Dr. £ s. d. Cb. £ Sl d. To Invested on mortgage on Ist April, 1884 120 0 0 By Balance from last year's statement due to Invested in Savings Bank on Ist April, Orphan Home Treasurer .. .. 2 14 1884 .. .. .. 26 1 3 Payments on account of orphan of a Interest on mortgage .. .. .. 12 0 0 Mason .. .. .. .. 115 0 Interest per Savings Bank .. .. 16 0 Balance, viz.;— Invested on mortgage £120 0 0 In Savings Bank .. 35 10 11 155 10 11 £159 7 3 £159 7 3

The Beta Lodge, 450, T..C. (Hamilton), Masonic Orphan Fund. Da. £ s. d. Cb. £ s . d. To Balance in Savings Bank, Ist April, 1884 16 12 11 By Balance in Savings Bank, 31st March, 1885 17 8 11 Interest per Savings Bank .. .. 0 16 0 £17 8 11 £17 8 11 M. Eawlings, Hon. Treasurer.

No. 7. ExTEACT FBOM THE SEVENTH ANNUAL EePOET OP THE MINISTEE OF EDUCATION.* The Boarding-out Scheme. As soon as possible after the Industrial Schools Act came into operation arrangements were made for placing out the younger children with respectable foster-parents, instead of retaining them in the schools as formerly. A Lady Official Correspondent and Lady Visitors were appointed in con-

* 331,-1, 1884, pp. xxiv. and xxv,

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nection with each of the three Government industrial schools at Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin respectively. It is the duty of the Official Correspondent to select suitable homes for the children, and, in conjunction with the manager of the school, to forward to the Minister a proposal and a statement of particulars in each case. The statement must supply satisfactory information on the following points : (1) Concerning the child—its name, age, religion, degree of education, state of health, date and circumstances of admission to the school; (2) concerning the proposed foster-parent—name, age, residence, and amount of accommodation; whether married, single, or widow, number and ages of children in family, and other particulars as to the household, church to which family belongs, school that the child will attend, occupation and circumstances of head of family, amount of payment to be made to foster-parent, and name of local visitor. On being satisfied as to all the particulars set forth in the proposal, the Minister, by warrant under his hand, authorises the boarding-out of the child as recommended. A code of rules relating i?o the treatment of the children must be signed by the foster-parents. A suitable amount of clothing is supplied from the school when a child is first boarded out; and as the articles so supplied are worn out the foster-parent is under obligation to replace them with others, so that the child shall always have its own clothing to the full extent of the original supply. Every child of sufficient age and strength must attend a school, and also the same place of worship as the family in which it is placed. Arrangements have been made whereby medical aid can be obtained in cases of sickness or accident. Every foster-child is visited at its home at least once a month by the Lady Visitor of the locality in which it resides. A report of each visit is sent by the local visitor to the Official Correspondent, who, after perusal, forwards it to the manager of the school to which the child belongs, for his information and remarks. It is then sent by the manager to the department, where it is psrused and filed. This monthly report supplies information as to the date of the visit, the health and cleanliness of the child, the state of its clothing, and its attendance at school, together with the remarks and recommendations of the visitor. By means of these monthly visits and reports security is taken that any failure of duty on the part of the foster-parent, and anything amiss as regards the child, shall be ascertained and rectified without loss of time. With a view, however, to afford still greater security for the proper treatment of all the children, an arrangement has been made whereby all their homes shall be visited by an officer of the department. This officer's visits are of the nature of " surprise-visits," and, along with those of the local Lady Visitors, they are well calculated to insure reliable information as to the ordinary condition and treatment of the fosterchildren. Up to the present time the reports both of the local visitors and the visiting officer have been, on the whole, of a very satisfactory and encouraging nature, and already seem to prove beyond a doubt that, it is much better to bring up the children as members of respectable families than to crowd them together in large institutions, however well conducted these may be. There is reason to believe that in not a few instances a strong bond of mutual attachment is being formed between foster-parent and foster-child, to an extent that may render their separation at any future time somewhat difficult of accomplishment.

No. 8. OIEGULAES. Memorandum for Managebs of Industeial Schools. (No. 4-84.) (The Boarding-out of Children.) 1. I am authorised by the Minister of Education to acquaint you more fully with the nature of the recently-announced alterations made by Government in the maximum rates of payment on account of industrial school children placed out with foster-parents, and to explain to you the views of the department on the subject of boarding-out generally. 2. The maximum rates formerly authorised are to be discontinued forthwith in regard to all fresh cases. 3. A maximum rate of seven shillings a week may be paid for children of all ages, except for infants under one year, on account of whom such payment shall be made as may be approved by the Minister. 4. Authority is given to submit proposals to the Minister for placing-out with foster-parents, at a maximum payment of seven shillings a week, all children under ten years, in the hope that they will pass Standard IV. by the age of twelve, and so become eligible for service at the latter age. 5. Although a payment of eight shillings a week is no longer to be made under any fresh engagement, yet, rather than break any existing agreement or run the risk of having children sent back to the school from respectable and comfortable homes, authority is given to continue when necessary the payment of eight shillings in the cases of children under seven years, for whose maintenance this larger amount had been agreed upon. 6. It is to be kept clearly in mind that there are many committed children on account of whom seven shillings a week, or even any smaller amount, should not be paid. Parents and other relatives legally liable for maintenance-money, as well as friends of the children or of their parents, are not unfrequently found willing to take them from the school and maintain them without any payment. It may also be found sometimes that suitable persons are willing to take children for a less sum than seven shillings a week; but care must be taken to insure that a lower price does not mean an inferior mode of maintenance and treatment. 7. Every precaution must therefore be taken to guard against the boarding-out of children for money-payments being made to interfere with the licensing of children without payment to parents, other relatives, or friends. There are at present about two hundred committed children licensed to relatives or friends free of cost, and it is expected that under the present increasing efficiency of

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supervision the number of such cases will soon become greater. Before boarding out children for money-payments in the ordinary way, managers are enjoined to make every possible inquiry as to whether there are any relatives or friends—whether legally liable or not for maintenance-money— who might be willing to receive one or more of the children without payment or at a reduced rate. The printed memorandum for officers of police herewith enclosed will greatly facilitate the manager's inquiries on this point. In connection with this matter attention is directed to paragraph 2 of Mr. Guillaume's letter on the "Working of the Industrial Schools Acts in Victoria," reprinted among the papers on Industrial Schools and Orphanages (E.-3, 1884) recently presented to the General Assembly, a copy of which has been forwarded to you. 8. Care must be taken not to place too many foster-children in one family, nor to encourage the coming into operation of anything like a system of "child-farming." In no case should more than four of our children be placed in charge of the same foster-parent, and not even so many as four when there is also in the household a large number of other young children. Children of the same family should be placed together whenever practicable. 9. As a rule the children should be boarded with respectable families, who are not wholly or very largely dependent for a livelihood upon the payments received by them from Government for the children's maintenance. In connection with this subject Miss Florence Hill writes as follows: "I have been much impressed in England with the affection which grows up between these foster-parents and the children. Their care of them has been quite touching, and in serious illness instances are not rare when they will not part with them even when payment stops. We prefer placing them with married couples, rather than with widows or unmarried women (though with these they often do well), because the influence of a father is very desirable, and the affection that springs up between the foster-father and the child, especially if a little girl, is very strong. It is not uncommon for these children to be taken by people who have lost their own, or who wish for a companion for an only child, sometimes by those who have never had children, or whose children have grown up and gone into the world, and who find life dull without little people about them." 10. As a rule the children should be placed with residents in country localities or open healthy suburban districts ; as seldom as possible in very large towns, and never with those who occupy dwellings in the low and crowded portions of cities. In all cases the children should reside within a fair distance of a day-school. 11. The question is under consideration by the department whether some steps might not be taken to make the policy of the Government with regard to the boarding-out of industrial school children more widely known throughout the colony, so that proposals to take the children may come in more freely from suitable parties. You will be good enough to forward any recommendation you may be prepared to make as to how this could best be done. 12. In the boarding-out of any child the order of the committing Magistrate as to the religious denomination should be respected as far as practicable. In no case should a Eoman Catholic child be placed with a Protestant foster-parent, or vice versa. 13. The committal-sheets forwarded to this office along with the manager's monthly returns not unfrequently show that cases of more or less doubtful expediency have been taken before the Resident Magistrate. You are already aware of the nature of some of such cases from the correspondence that has taken place. Managers are requested to peruse the committal-sheets as soon as possible after the admission of the children, and to forward the sheets to this office at once in any cases where it appears to them that the causes assigned for the committal may be open to question. It may often happen that a manager may be able, from his own knowledge, or from inquiries made by him on the spot, to furnish the department with serviceable information concerning cases that may be submitted by him for consideration. John llislop. Education Department, Wellington, 24th September, 1884.

Memoeandum for Managees of Industeial Schools. (No. 5-84.) (Guardianship and Discharge of Committed Children.) 1. I am directed by the Minister of Education to bring specially under your notice the provisions of " The Industrial Schools Act, 1882," which relate to the discharge and to the guardianship of committed children. 2. The requirement in sections 18 and 19 of the Act, that the child shall be detained in an industrial school until he shall have attained the age of fifteen years, has reference only to the term during which he may be kept actually within the precincts of the school. The child may not be detained in the school after he reaches fifteen years; the Minister, however, may at any time after the commitment issue a license for him to reside out of the school, or the Governor may order his transference from one school to another or grant an absolute discharge. (See sections 28, 29, 30, and 55.) 3. "When a child is committed to an industrial school the parent ceases to have any legal control or guardianship over him; the guardianship becomes vested in the manager of the school, and it lasts until the child reaches the age of twenty-one years, subject to the power given to the Governor to discharge him absolutely at any time, or to transfer the guardianship to some other person. The powers of the guardian are the same as those " which a guardian of the person of an infant appointed by the Supreme Court would have." (See sections 26 to 30 inclusive.) 4. The Government will be prepared to consider proposals for the discharge of a child when it can be shown that the circumstances which led to the commitment have materially changed for the better, and that such discharge is likely to prove advantageous to the child. The discharge of a child by the Governor cancels absolutely his connection with the Government and the school, and all the rights of his parents, if he has any, revert to them.

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5. The Government will also be prepared to consider proposals for the transference of the guardianship of a child from the manager to an elder brother or sister, or other relative of the child, or to a friend of the family, or to a foster-parent with whom the child may have been placed under section 55 of the Act, when it appears that such transference is likely to prove of undoubted advantage to the child. The new guardianship thus created will remain until the child reaches the age of twenty-one years, subject to the power given to the Governor to discharge the child at any time previously. The legal adoption of the child by the guardian, under the provisions of " The Adoption of Children Act, 1881," would, as a matter of course, render the case a proper one for a discharge ; other circumstances of a nature satisfactory to the Governor and to the guardian might arise that would render a discharge advisable. It may be assumed, however, that in other cases the necessity for exercising the power of discharging a child will very rarely, if ever, arise, as the very greatest care will be taken that no transference of guardianship is made unless in the fullest assurance that the arrangement will never have to be disturbed so long as the relations between the parties themselves continue to be of a satisfactory character. 6. The Governor will in no case be advised to comply with an application for a discharge or for a transference of guardianship until after the most thorough and satisfactory inquiry has been made respecting the character and fitness of the person with whom the child is proposed to be connected. In every ease it must be clear that the application is made from right and proper motives. 7. The Minister directs that the contents of this circular be made known to official correspondents, local visitors, the parents and friends of the children, and other persons who are likely to take an interest in the matter. 8. You will notice that this circular has reference only to the discharge or the transference of the guardianship of committed children. A former circular, dated 24th September, 1884, deals with the question of placing out children under license with their own parents or other relatives, with friends of the family, or with foster-parents. John Hislop. Education Department, Wellington, 22nd October, 1884.

Memoeandum for Managees of Industeial Schools. (No. 1-85.) (Supervision of Licensed-out Children.) I send you a supply of two forms to be used by you in connection with committed children who are licensed to friends or to service. Whenever an "inmate" is licensed to friends or to service you are to send a copy of the " notification " to the officer of police in charge of the district in which the " inmate " is to reside. A number of cases have occurred that show the necessity for a very careful watch being maintained over all the children under legal control who have been placed out with friends or employers. It is believed this can be done best by means of the proposed half-yearly return. In the course of February and August in each year you will therefore send the form for the half-yearly return to the several officers in charge of the districts in which your licensed-out inmates are resident; and you will forward the replies to this office along with your March and September monthly returns. Should any of the replies not reach you in time to be forwarded as herein required, you should remind the officer of his failure to send his report, and ask him to let you have it. The forms are so printed as to serve for all classes of " inmates " licensed out, excepting those placed with foster-parents. When the "inmate" is not required to attend school, you should draw your pen through the words relating to school attendance before you send out the forms. Some "inmates" may be so much under your own eye that you need not trouble the police about them; but in all such cases you are to send the half-yearly reports filled up by yourself. John .Hislop. Education Department, Wellington, 3rd February, 1885.

[Enclosures.] Notification of an " Inmate " having been licensed. Industrial School, , 188 The Officer in Charge of Police, , aged years, was licensed to , of ,on the Will you please take a kindly interest in the child's welfare. You will be asked half-yearly for a specific report upon the case ; meanwhile, should any misconduct on the part of the child, or of the person to whom he is licensed, come to your knowledge, I trust you will let me know as soon as you can. The child ought to attend school regularly. By direction of the Education Department. ■ Manager. Halp-yeaely Bepobt. Industrial School, , 188 . The Officer in Charge of Police, , who is an " inmate " of this school, is licensed to reside with , of I am instructed by the Education Department to ask you to be so good as to make inquiries, and report as soon as you can, in the form below, as to the conduct of the " inmate " and the sufficiency of the care and control exercised by the person to whom he is licensed. Manager.

E.—3.

Reply. , 188 The Manager, Industrial School. The information noted below has been obtained in this case :— General character of person to whom licensed : General conduct of " inmate : " Apparent health of " inmate : " Clothing (sufficient or otherwise) : School attended : Attendance (regular or otherwise) :* Standard for which he is being prepared :* General remarks and recommendations : Officer in Charge

* The schoolmaster can best supply this information.

By Authority : Geokge Didseury, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBs.

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