E.—6a

14

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.