E.—3a

1907. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: THE COSTLEY TRAINING INSTITUTION. ("THE COSTLEY TRAINING INSTITUTION ACT, 1885.") [In continuation of E.-3a, 1906.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

THE COSTLEY TRAINING INSTITUTION, AUCKLAND. The following is the report of the Trustees for the year ending the 31st December, 1906 :— On the 31st December there were twenty-seven boys in residence at Richmond Road. Of this number fourteen were engaged in various trades in the city, and thirteen were attending the Richmond Road Public School. There are also eighteen under the charge of the Trustees not resident at the Institution. Of these fourteen are working at trades in Auckland, and by permission of the Trustees receive their own wages and pay their own expenses; the other four are at situations in the country. The number of girls under the Trustees' charge has been gradually reduced. Girls cannot be lodged at the Institution, and for this and other reasons the Trustees do not desire—for the present at any rate —to have any more girls committed. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have given great attention to the health and well-being of the boys, and the Trustees have every reason to be satisfied with their conduct of the Institution. The report of the Honorary Medical Officer is attached, showing the health of the boys to have been good. The best thanks of the Trustees are due to Dr. Knight for his valuable services. It is with very great regret that the Trustees have to announce the resignation of Dr. Knight, who is leaving for England on an extended holiday. A warm letter of thanks has been forwarded to the.doctor in recognition of his many years of much-valued work. The Trustees are glad to announce that Dr. Roland Aicken has consented to act as Hon. Medical Officer. The hearty thanks of the Trustees are also due to Messrs. Carter and Foster, dentists, of Karangahape Road, for their kind and gratuitous services to the boys. The boys have again, through the kindness of Mr. A. J. Farmer, been able to enjoy a very beneficial stay at Kawau during the Christmas holidays. The Trustees wish to thank the following ladies and gentlemen for their kind interest in the boys : Mrs. Farrell, Hobson Street, and Mr. Wells, headmaster Richmond Road School, for periodicals and papers ; also Mr. Jackson, Albert Street, for kind gift of cordials, and for taking the boys for a sail in his yacht "Thistle " whilst at Kawau; and the visitors at the Mansion House for entertaining the lads at cricket, &c. All the boys regularly attend church according to the religious body to which they belong. On Sunday afternoon, by arrangement with Archdeacon Calder, the boys have received religious instruction under the Rev. C. E. Fox, M.A., curate All Saints', and have made good progress, H. Bosser having obtained a place in the Bishop's prize examination. The Trustees convey their sincere thanks to the Archdeacon, and the Rev. G. E. Fox, M.A., for prizes, and the kind interest he has bestowed on the boys. His Excellency the Governor Lord Plunket, Lady Plunket, the Hon. Kathleen Plunket, and Captain A. M. R. Bingham, A.D.C., visited the Institution on the 20th January, and were received by the Trustees. His Excellency and party witnessed a gymnastic display by the boys. They inspected the building and expressed themselves as much pleased with the order and cleanliness of the Institution. His Lordship addressed the lads, and jpoke to them most kindly, which was appreciated by them. On the occasion of the Hon. G. Fowlds's first official visit to the Institution the boys gave an open-air gymnastic performance. Which was attended by a large number of the public. The Rev. C. E. Fox, M.A., gave a very interesting lantern lecture on the Melanesian Islands, which the boys enjoyed very much. The Trustees desire to thank the reverend gentleman for the interest and trouble taken by him. The balance-sheet shows a credit on the year, the amount being £7 2s. 10d. During the year repairs and renovations have been effected at a cost of £126 18s. 7d., including new drains with traps and vents; also showers fixed in bath-room. The Institution was inspected twice during the year by Inspectors under the Industrial School Act. The Trustees have been furnished with copies of their reports, and have given them due consideration as far as funds would allow.