H.—lG.

6

The devotion of some hours of the Sunday to sports is not in my judgment calculated to bring the habits and views of the boys into accord with those of the respectable part of a British community; and on that ground, apart from any religious considerations, I think it is to be deprecated. The difficulty of keeping the boys out of mischief on Sunday ought, I think, to be met in some other way. The destination and career of the boys who have been discharged are shown in a return furnished by Captain Breton. Mr. Speight, who has an intimate knowledge of the boys, and who encourages them to visit at his house, where Mrs. Speight makes them welcome and exercises a very good influence over them, has compiled a summary statement, the accuracy of which I have no reason to doubt. He shows that of the number who have passed out of the institution (150) 1 died, 2 were expelled, 4 committed to gaol, 55 were discharged when their time had expired, or were sent home, 4 absconded and were not retaken, and 94 were apprenticed—6s to the sea and 29 on land. Of those who were apprenticed one-third have deserted or absconded—22 from service at sea, and 10 from service on land. He regards this as evidence of the failure of the institution. Considering the vagrant habits of the boys, and the presence of a criminal element among them, I cannot say that I agree with him. Mr. Speight's evidence and written statements (which I enclose) refer to many minor points of interest, and most of these are noticed in Captain Breton's statements, of which I submit the notes. I am unwilling to encumber this report —already longer than I could have wished —by discussing these points, and I must satisfy myself by asking you to be so good as to look over the papers. The officers asked me to direct your attention to a request which they lately preferred, that they might be supplied with a suit of uniform once a year. 1 think that it would be better to grant them a small addition to their salary. I strongly recommend that the section (6) of " The Naval Training Schools Act, 1874," which, provides for the appointment of an Inspector, or Inspectors, be brought into operation, if it were only as a protection against ill rumours ; and that the senior Inspector of Schools in the educational district of Auckland be the Inspector of the common-school work in the institution at Kohitnarama. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. We Jab. Habekb.

By Authority: Gteosaß Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington. —1880. Price 6d.J