H.—l2a.

23

APPENDIX B. EEPOET ON NAVAL TEAINING SCHOOL, KOHIMAEAMA. Captain Beeton to the Secbetaey of Customs (Marine Branch). Sib, — Naval Training School, Kohimarama, 30th June, 1875. I have the honor to transmit, for the information of the Hon. the Commissioner of Customs, a report of this institution for the seven months it has been established. The health of the boys has been all that could be desired until within the last three weeks, during which time a number of them have been suffering from scobies, but 1 am glad to be able to report that the vigorous treatment adopted, under the direction of Dr. G-oldsbro, has been the means of materially reducing the number affected by it. I had been treating some of the boys for a rash which I considered to be merely from the blood being slightly out of order, until I took one who was getting worse up to Dr. Q-oldsbro, who at once stated it was the before-mentioned disease. This would seem to point to the necessity for periodical medical inspection. I also think it advisable that all boys should be subject to a medical inspection before the order for their being sent here is made, and the medical certificate attached to the order, one case having occurred of a boy subject to epilepsy and of weak intellect having been sent here. The disease above alluded to must also have been introduced through the absence of this precaution. Divine service, according to the ritual of the Church of England, has been performed by myself, or in my absence by the schoolmaster, every Sunday, and on two occasions by the Rev. Gr. Maunsell; on one occasion I took a boat's crew to church in Auckland. Prayers are held morning and evening by myself, or in my absence by the schoolmaster; these consist of a chapter in the Bible and the Lord's Prayer, at which all are required to attend. The Eev. Dr. Kinder has attended every week, for some months, to give religious instruction to the Protestant boys. The Eev. Father Fynes, and Mr. George Cutts, a layman and near neighbour, have also attended to instruct the Eoman Catholic boys. Table B contains a record of these visits. Table A shows the progress made by the boys in their schooling, which I think reflects great credit on the schoolmaster, Mr. Speight. In seamanship the progress is satisfactory, and in pulling in boats very good. In tailoring, for the short time the boys have been under instruction, the progess is very good. Table C shows a list of the clothing made and other work done within the school, with the estimated cost of labour. The admissions have been 40, and discharges 2 ; absconded and not returned, 3 ; leaving 35 now in the school. See table D. The conduct of the boys has, on the whole, been very satisfactory. Looking to their previous mode of life there has been less trouble than I anticipated; seven have at different times absconded, two were brought back within four hours, one within two days, and one returned of his own accord after sleeping out one night, and three still absent have been at large for eight days, but the police are on their track. One has been expelled for repeatedly absconding and general bad behaviour; one sent here from the Howe Street School was returned to that institution, he not being considered eligible for admission. Our garden has been most successfully managed by Mr. Speight. Notwithstanding the very late season at which it was commenced, for the last sixteen weeks we have supplied ourselves with vegetables, with the exception of potatoes and onions. I am now having ground prepared for potatoes, and hope to be able to produce a considerable quantity in the coming season. I have no doubt that if the area of ground attached to the school were larger, it might before very long be made, to a great extent, self-supporting. Cows and pigs would be a great help in this respect. I have made arrangements for having one of the latter at once. One great difficulty I have had to contend with has been the want of a proper seaman instructor, and I am afraid this will not be got over, unless men are procured from Her Majesty's Navy for the purpose, as although good seamen are to be got, they are wanting in many other essential points which can scarcely be looked for from men who have not been themselves subject to proper training and strict discipline. The schooner " Southern Cross," attached to the school, was got under weigh for the first time on the 3rd of March, since which I have taken her out on seven occasions, and I am satisfied with the way the boys work her ; weather permitting, one watch goes off in the forenoon and the other in the afternoon for sail drill and general nautical instruction. No regular ration has been established, but I have endeavoured to combine good feeding with economy. The cost of ration, which includes fuel, lights, and soap, is shown in table E. I cannot as yet state with certainty the cost of clothing the boys, but I do not think the amount shown in Table E will be very far wrong. Table H contains the list of articles supplied to each boy. Donations to the school have been numerous, showing the interest taken in it by a large section of the public. Particulars of these are shown in Table M. A wharf is much required here to save the boats from the constant wear and tear on the beach, and also to facilitate landing and embarking when there is a surf on the beach, which is always rnoro