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E.—6A

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,