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The work of the collection of the maintenance is capable of a very great deal of extension, but with the present staff available it will not be possible to do much more than is being done at present. It may be stated that the average sum collected per week per inmate is higher in New Zealand than in any of the Australian States. Though the question of maintenance may appear to be merely a financial matter, it has an important personal bearing. Tf those who are responsible for children are compelled to contribute to a proper extent for the maintenance of children whom apparently negligence throws upon the care of the State, there is likely to be a greater restraining influence on parents than if they were able, at little inconvenience or cost to themselves, to allow the State to shoulder their responsibilities. 14. Inspection of all Institutions. —This will need to be regularly and thoroughly carried out, both for the sake of the inmates and to ensure proper administration. It is only by personal knowledge of the institutions, their officers, and in some cases of their inmates, that those who are guiding the system from the Head Office will be able to direct effectively the widely varied services connected with the work of special schools. 15 and 16. Standardization of Diet, Materials, and Equipment. —This does not mean that absolute uniformity or monotony is aimed at. In very many respects common articles of food, material, and equipment are of a generally similar character, and a much more effective supply can be made if large quantities can be procured direct from first sources. 17. As a result of the establishment of the central store it has been possible to standardize certain supplies, such as clothing, bedding, crockery, and cutlery, and to arrange for the supply of certain staple items of diet direct from the manufacturers, and in other cases to deliver at contract rates such items as tea, flour, and oatmeal to all the institutions under the Department's control. Early last year it was recognized that the system under which stores and supplies for industrial and special schools were purchased was not businesslike, since the head of each institution had practically a free hand to buy what he considered was suitable for his school. The Department therefore arranged for the establishment of a central store from or through which, except for small items that can be procured just as cheaply in the local market, the bulk of the stores now used at these schools is supplied. On account of the extraordinary conditions of the markets at the present time it is impossible to estimate the exact saving that has taken place, but it is safe to state that the amount is at least £3,500 annually. In addition to this, the time of the Managers is not now taken up with buying a variety of articles from a variety of sources. 18. Centralization of Clerical Work and Teaching Staffs. —By closing the four day schools referred to above, and by having only one central day school for boys, it has been possible to effect a saving in the salaries of the teaching staffs of about £1,050 per annum without any detriment to the education of the boys. Many of the former pupils of those schools are now attending ordinary schools while living with foster-parents. By substituting a central school for girls, and combining with this institution a receiving-home for children, it will be possible to effect a saving of about £940 per annum on the present staffing. It is proposed also to centralize the greater proportion of the work now being performed by the clerical staff at each school. By co-operation with the Postal Department the work connected with the collection of inmates' wages and the payments for children boarded out will be reduced by more than half. In all probability it will be found that a staff of two clerks and a cadet in the Head Office will perform the work which engages almost the entire time of at least ten clerks at the various schools and receiving-homes. The saving thus effected will be about £1,000 per annum. The clerical work at these schools can be still further reduced, and this matter will be taken up as soon as possible. In the past the clerical work that had to be performed at each of these schools was far too great, and too much of the responsible officer's time was devoted to I'outine office-work that could easily have been performed otherwise. Arrangements will also be made for the one office staff to carry out the clerical work connected with the receiving-home and the probation home, and the infant-life-protection work as well, in each of the centres. 19. Supervision of Farming Operations. —At most of the schools all the meat, milk, butter, eggs, vegetables, &c, are produced on the place. This method of supply has been considerably extended so as partly to provide for the needs of