22

E.—6a,

boys, and shows a satisfactory improvement, especially in arithmetic. In seamanship, in all its branches, there has been a satisfactory progress ; but the remarks made in my last report, as to the retention by the boys of the knowledge imparted to them, still hold good, lieturn C gives the quantity of clothing made, and, as far as possible, an account of the other trade work done in the school. Thirty boys have been received, and twenty-nine discharged, during the period to which this report refers.* lieturn B records the visits of clergymen and others, for the purpose of performing divine service and giving religious instruction. As opportunity occurred, the boys have been taken to Auckland to participate in service at their respective churches. I am glad to be able to report a tendency to improvement in the behaviour of the boys ; but the want of classification is (and always will be until some means of separating the good and the bad are adopted) a fruitful source of trouble. Return E gives a long list of absconders, but the majority of them go, I believe, simply for a run and the sake of a little change. A closet has been erected in connection with the dormitory, and is a great improvement from a sanitary point of view, and also in connection with the comfort of the boys. The want of a proper place for the boys to play in is a great want, and one to which I would urgently call attention. The appointment of Inspectors in connection with the school has been a matter of especial gratification to myself. The schoolmaster appointed under the new system joined on the Bth March, slightly over three weeks from the date to which this report is completed, too short a time to form much of an opinion as to the benefit of the change; but, I think, as it practically reduces the already limited staff by one man, it will be found to be anything but an improvement. The schooner was finally taken over from the builders on the 14th September, 1880, and is utilized as far as possible ; but the absence of an adequate staff materially neutralizes the advantage which she should be to the nautical training. The question of providing suitable quarters for married instructors is one to which 1 desire again to call attention. The supply of a cart, horse, plough, and harrows has been of material benefit, and will enable the boys to be better qualified for farm work. I desire to place on record my obligations to Dr. Goldsbro, for his exertions in collecting for the amusement fund. I have, &c, G. K. Breton, The Secretary for Education. Manager.

Enclosures to Manager's Report. RETURN A.—Educational State of Boys.

RETURN B. —Visits ov Clekotmen and Othees bob Religious Insteuction. Church of England, number of visits, 41; Roman Catholic Church, number of visits, 29: total number of visits during the year, 70.

RETURN C.—Retuen oe Woek done in School dueing the Yeab. 63 duck jumpers, at Is., £3 Bs .; 102 duck trousers, at Is., £5 25.; 36 duck caps, at Is., £1 165.; 153 serge frocks, at Is. sid., £11 3s. H.; 200 serge trousers, at Is. 10d., £18 6s. Bd.; 46 serge caps, at Is., £2 65.; 94 flannel shirts, at 7d., £2 145., 120 towels, at Id., 10s.; 49 pillow-cases, at l|d., 6s. lid.; 1 hammock, at Is., Is.; 60 neckerchiefs, at 2d., 10s.; 14 sheets, at 6d., 75.; 25 canvas bags, at 25., £2 10s.; 3 tablecloths, at 6d., Is. 6d.; additions to piggery, 2 days, at 10s., £1; making rat-proof harness locker, 2 days at 10s., £1.; converting store info cart-sheds, 2 days at 10s., £1.; making cornbin, 2 days at 10s., £1.; making closet, 3 days at 10s., £1 10s. Total, £54 7s. 3d. * Of the 29 discharged, 9 were apprenticed, 9 were restored to parents by request, 1 was sent to gaol for larceny, and in the case of 10 their period of detention had expired. Of these last, 4 joined their friends and got employment, 1 was taken by an uncle to help in a fishing boat, 3 were sent home from the Government steamer, 1 joined his family, and has not since been heard of, and 1 was apprenticed to his father. Of the 30 boys admitted during the year, 13 had both parents alive, 13 had only one parent alive, 1 was without parents, and in the case of 3 one parent was alive, the other unknown. Return D shows the circumstances under which these 30 boys were admitted : Nine were sent from Auckland, 5 from Hamilton, 5 from Wellington, 2 from New Plymouth, and 1 from each of the following places: Palmerston North, Napier, Nelson, Tauranga, G-reymouth, Ilokitika, Thames, Riverton, and Westport,

:ad ite Cyj jher Particulars. Well. Indifferent. Not, Total. Well. Indif. ferent. Not. Total. Well. Indifferent. Not, Total. Remaining on 31st March, 1880 idmitted during twelve months ending 31st March, 1881 ... 20 33 3 56 28 28 56 14 41 1 56 3 10 17 30 1 13 16 30 2 4 24 30 Total ... 23 43 20 86 29 41 16 86 16 45 25 86 discharged during twelve months ending 31st March, 1881 ... Placed out on license .n district hospital ... Absent without leave Jemainiug on 31st March, 1881 18 2 10 1 1 1 5 29 2 1 1 53 18 2 10 1 1 1 5 29 2 1 1 53 15 2 13 1 1 1 15 29 2 1 1 53 13 35 13 35 18 35 Total ... 33 45 8 86 33 45 I 8 i 86 30 48 8 86