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(5 to 12 (inclusive). Reclassification of Boys' Schools. —The much-needed reform of separating the schoolboys from the boys over school age has now been carried out by setting apart the Boys' Training-farm at Nelson as a training-school for boys of school age only, and the Boys' Training-farm at Weraroa for the training of boys over school age. The effect on the discipline and on the conduct of the boys has been very marked. It is proposed to close the day schools at Weraroa and also at Burnham, and to remove any boys of school age from these two institutions to the Boys' Training-farm at Nelson. Provision is made, however, for some continuation of the education, of the older boys at Weraroa and Burnham by means of evening classes of a suitable character. Removal of Elder Incorrigibles from Reformatory Schools. —The Industrial Schools Amendment Act, 1909, provides that where an inmate of a school is morally degenerate, or is otherwise not in the public interest a fit person to be free from control, application may be made to the Magistrate for an order extending the period of detention after the age of twenty-one years. In several cases orders have been obtained, but the retention of incorrigible adults in the same school as children and youths cannot be regarded as satisfactory. Under section 25 of the Industrial Schools Act provision is made for the transfer of young persons under the age of nineteen years from gaol to industrial schools, and proposals are now under consideration for the transfer of elder incorrigibles from schools to prison reformatories if the necessary legislative authority is granted. Such provision would have a material effect on the discipline of the two industrial schools concerned— namely, Te Oranga Home (the Girls' Reformatory), and the Burnham Industrial School (a Boys' Reformatory). By the removal of these incorrigibles a great many of the difficulties that are at present met with would be eliminated. Girls' Industrial Schools. —The Industrial School for Girls at Mount Albert has been closed as a residential school. It was found on an examination of the inmates of that school during last year that a certain number of the girls who were in residence at the school but attended the nearest public school were quite fit to be placed out at board in country homes. This has been carried out with remarkable success. All the suitable elder girls have been placed in situations and are doing well, and the remainder have either been, placed out with friends or have been transferred to institutions suited to their special requirements. In place of this institution it is proposed to establish a receiving-home on a smaller scale such as is at present in operation at Wellington and Christchurch. The day school connected with the Caversham Industrial School has been closed, and the children have been allowed to attend the nearest public school. This arrangement may be regarded as successful, and is found to be quite of material assistance in maintaining the discipline of the school. At Caversham, also, the matter of placing out young girls at board and of placing suitable elder girls in situations is steadily proceeding. The numbers have thus been reduced to about twenty. It is possible, of course, to reduce the numbers still further, but it is proposed to remodel the institution formerly known as Te Oranga Home and to establish in the same premises under a new name a central training-school for girls. This central training-school, if established, would consist of three divisions : (a) a receiving-home for the reception of young children fit for boarding out; (b) the training-school proper, for girls who are not fit to board out in private homes, or who being over the age of fourteen years require additional training before being fit to take situations ; and (c) the girls' reformatory proper, for the girls who are unfitted on account of their characteristics to be placed either in the training division or out in situations. The establishment of a central training-school will greatly assist in any schemes for the classification of the girls, and is highly desirable from an economic point of view. It will be possible to produce a sufficiency of milk, butter, vegetables, and fruit on the estate attached to this institution, and in addition to this a great saving will be effected in regard to the transfer of girls from one school to another. 13. Collection of Contributions for the Maintenance of Children from Parents and Others. —This work is very much involved and requires the supervision of an experienced officer. Much more attention is now being given to the details of this work, and the result from a financial point of view may be regarded as highly satisfactory. I am, of course, working under very great disabilities at present on account of the fact that the majority of the officers are now on active service, and it has been necessary to engage practically inexperienced persons to fill their places.

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