E—- 3

4

Discharges in 1890.

Numbers of 1889 and 1890 compared.

No. 3. Dr. Purchas's Eeport on the Auckland District. Beport of Medical Officer of Auckland Industrial Schools for Year ending 31st March, 1891. In the first quarter of the year under review, in April and May, shortly after a considerable fall of rain that followed some weeks of dry weather, two or three cases of typhoid fever occurred at the Kohimarama School. The first case having gone on too long before I was sent for was exceptionally severe, and the boy narrowly escape with his life. The others, coming under observation at an early stage, were soon restored to health. Just about the same time the school was visited by an epidemic of influenza, a large proportion of the boys being affected by it. The attacks in many cases were severe, but the disease speedily yielded to treatment, and the boys soon regained their health. During the next two quarters there was no illness at the school until the end of December and beginning of January, when the two cases of typhoid took place, and, without my knowledge, were sent to the Auckland Hospital. An investigation specially made by me, by direction of the Government, leads me to believe that the occurrence of typhoid was due to the disposal of nightsoil in an improper manner. In accordance with instructions received this will soon be corrected. At the Girls' Industrial School, in Parnell, there has not been any epidemic during the year; but one girl recently admitted and the matron's assistant have been laid up with a mild form of typhoid, from which both have quite recovered. With the exception of these cases there has been very little sickness during the year. The boarded-out children have also been remarkably healthy; very few cases of serious illness have occurred, and there has been no death of any child under my care. Before closing this report I should like to make a suggestion, that in the case of boys boarded out, because of the death or neglect of their parents, they should not be brought into the Kohimarama School for a day, but be sent from their foster-homes to any situation provided for them. It is impossible that the companionship of some of the boys from time to time committed to that school for crime should be other than injurious to such children as those to which I refer. A few hours may suffice to corrupt them, and thus the good they have gained by living in decent families may be destroyed. One cannot look at the faces of some of the criminal lads without being satisfied of the truth of what I have written. I feel very strongly on this point, and respectfully commend it to the favourable consideration of the Government. Auckland, 9th May, 1891. A. G. Purchas, M.R.C.S. Eng., Medical Officer.

Government Schi 30ls. Li So] ical lool. Private Schools. Schi ids. -Removed by Auci :land. Bur: diam. Caven :sham. Thi imes. 0 r? A CO 2 q 0) 4-* Ne ion. B. I G. B. I QB. G. 03 >, O pq _ 3 _ o B. G. G. G. B. G. Warrant of discharge Death Warrant of transfer to other schools Warrant of transfer to Costley Institute attaining age of 21.. Marriage 23 11 50 1 11 2 51 2 14 3 7 33 1 9 160 4 52 2 212 6 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 2 1 5 2 2 7 2 Totals .. \ 1 26 13 51 17 53 17 3 7 34 9 167 63 19 38 7 30 230 7i

Inmates. 1889. 1890. Increase or Decrease. [n the schools Boarded out .. fVith friends .. it service [n hospital .. tn lunatic asylum in Magdalen Asylum .. [n Blind Asylum Kt Costley Institute .. ji gaol [n refuge Absent without leave .. 600 454 122 326 2 2 1 544 427 82 372 3 2 2 1 2 2 - 56 - 27 - 40 -h 46 + 3 1 1 16 + 2 + 1 - 1 + 1 17 Totals 1,454 1,525 - 71