El:—4.

8

DISCHAR<iKS. There have been two discharges during the year. The first case was that of a boy who showed many of the symptoms of the oncoming of general paralysis. After being returned "by me to his parents, he became gradually worse, and was geni on to Seacliff Mental Hospital. The second case was that of a boy who was reported to be entirely unmanageable, as giving way to fits of uncontrollable temper, and as showing suicidal tendencies. I kept this boy under olose observation for five months and a half, lie proved to be an entirely docile lad, a willing worker, and capable of continuing his education in one of the other institutions under the Education Department. He was accordingly transferred. I have just received an account as to this boy's progress since his transference. The officer in charge of the institution states, '• He has l>een a very good boy since he was admitted. He has not exhibited the temper that caused so much trouble to his foster-parents. All my people speak well of him. The teacher reports that lie is a good boy in class, is weak in arithmetic, but equal to the average in reading, spelling, and other subjects in Standard 11. Unless the lad takes a turn he will get on here." General Health. During the past year the general health of the children has been excellent ; there has been m> serious illness or accident, and no deaths have occurred. This is very gratifying considering that many feeble and delicate children have been admitted during the year. The healthy site of the school, with its extensive and sheltered grounds, enables the children to obtain fresh air and exercise in all weathers, which is a great factor in promoting their physical well-being. The judicious use of drill, physical exercises, and manual work in the open air also materially contributes towards this desirable state of affairs. We have also been fortunate as far as infectious diseases are concerned. The only case was one of cutaneous erysipelas; but, owing to the prompt measures taken in isolating this case, no further development took place. We hail one or two cases of ringworm—one of the most troublesome diseases of institutional life On the whole, however, we have had a most satisfactory year.

In connection with the general health of the children, it is interesting to note the increase in their weight since their admission. I append a list giving details of the weights of the thirty one boys in residence during the past year : —

1 am convinced thai the weighing of the children at regular intervals is the best method of detecting disease in its early stages. During the firs! year of their residence the boys frequently gain considerably in weight, but, of course, the gain varies considerably according to the disposition of the individual. Scholastic and Industrial Training. lam 'dad to be able to report thai we have made a commencement with our school work. Of the 31 boys in residence, 10 boyß are able to read more or less fluently, 17 are beginning to learn their letters. I can scarcely articulate, excepl one or two s.umds. II) boys have learned to write fairly well, and the remainder are learning to form their letters. Yerv slow progress is made with number, but it is very desirable rhai the boys should learn arithmetic, the practical application of which in their daily life is of value. The amount of book-knowledge, however, acquired by the best must always be small. While it is desirable not to neglect reading, writing, and arithmetic, it is from manual training that we must fexpecl the best results. The training of the hand and eye in useful work is profitable to the children.

Age. Date of Weight on ( , (in Admission. Admission. Ave. Date of Admission. Weight on Admission. I lain. 21 16 12 2;'. 19 22 20 12 12 II 18 15 II 12 7 18 St. lb. Mi. 18/1/09 7 9 II 16 15/09 9 7 I2.J 19 1/5/09 5 3 1 17 19/1/09 7 6 '.i.l J4 23/7/09 9 J * 18 5/2/10 7 1J 7| 14 13/1/10 8 4 131 13 5/2/10 5 8 3j 11 17 ()9 5 3 10 12 13 1/10 6 11 No change 7 .. . 22/4 09 I 6 17 13 3/2/09 5 I 23 '.i 21 9/09 3 II 5 14 8/7/09 3 12 I., 8 1/5/09 2 8 124 10 24/11/08 7 6 15 * Lost 4- 11>. 1/5 09 13 1/10 5/2/10 10/6/08 13/1/10 10/11/08 4/2/09 13/1 10 31/10 08 13 I 10 l 5 09 5 2/10 17 12/09 13/1/10 5/2 lo St. lb. 7 5 6 4 5 llj 4 1 9 9 3 9 1 I 4 6| 4 0 3 5 I I 3 I0f 1 9| 2 7| 9 5 lb. 21' 2| H 23 No change 10J 14 9| 14 H m n -", 7;! 3