B.—ll.

1909. NEW ZEALAND

EDUCATION: REFORMATORY WORK IN ENGLAND, GERMANY, AND AMERICA (REPORT ON), BY WILLIAM REECE, OF CHRISTCHURCH, AN OFFICIAL VISITOR UNDER THE NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS ACT.

I'rtstnttd to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. Amonc; many others, I am much indebted for information and assistance to the following:— England — Mr. F. James, Secretary, Reformatory and Refuge Union, London; the officials of J)i\ Bernardo's Homes. Germany. —Officials of Pastor Yon Bodelschwing; Herr Klemni, Dresden; the Chaplain of Prisons, Dresden; Professor Yon Peterinann, Director Gene-Stiftung, Dresden; Herr Stein, jun., Hanover; Herr Hugo Steffens, Hamburg. America. —Mr. C. Nankivel, New York; Mr. T. M. Osborne, Auburn; Mr. W. R. George, Freeville. REPORT. Sir, — Cliristchurch, N.Z., 15th October, 1909. When leaving for England in October last, I informed you that, being an official visitor and interested in the work of the industrial schools of the Dominion, I should be glad to make what inquiries the time at my disposal would permit into the oonduot of similar institutions elsewhere, and advise you of my impressions upon my return. I have now the honour to report as follows: — The general eoheme of the numerous well-known institutions in Great Britain of which I suppose l>r. Bernardo's may l>e considered one of the most important is fairly well known; but it was niv aim to get, if possible, the private views of those engaged in the work on the many points that are so baffling to those desirous of obtaining the best results. I found considerable difficulty in many instances, and then only succeeded by assenting to omit references to any special institution. In the course of my investigations I visited institutions in England, Germany, and America, the last-named being generally considered more advanced in reform methods,