E.—4

8

born in wedlock (23-5 per thousand) the difference is startling and calls for some definite measures to prevent this human wastage. Out of .1,260 illegitimate births during the year only 185 were placed in licensed foster-homes under the supervision of the Department's officers, as provided for under Part V of the Infants Act, and of this number 2 died. The death-rate among illegitimate infants supervised by the State during last year was, therefore, 10-81 per 1,000. Taking the total number of infants (both legitimate and ilkgitimate) under twelve months (396) supervised by the. State during last year, and the number of deaths (2) eluring the same period, the rate per 1,000 is 5*05.

Schools for the Feeble-minded. Numbers at 31st December, 1923.

Particulars of Expenditure for the Year, 1923-24.

The net expenditure for the year 1922-23 was £8,262. The recoveries for the year compared with the previous year show a decrease of £766, so that the gross cost is much the same as for 1922. I have, &c, J. Beck, The Director of Education. Officer in Charge, Special Schools Branch.

No. 3.—SCHOOL FOR, THE DEAF, SUMNER, REPORT OP THE DIRECTOR. Sir, — I have the honour to lay before yem my report for the year 1923. The number of pupils under instruction eluring the year is slmwn in tabulated form hereunder : — Boys. Girls. Total. Pupils of 1922 that returned to the: schoeil .. .. .. 47 19 96 Admitted during 1923 .. .. .. .. ..14 11 25 Left during tho school year .. .. .. .. 5 3 8 On the roll at the end of the school year .. .. .. 56 57 113 Received instruction during the year . . .. .. 66 63 129 Of the 113 pupils on the roll it is expected that 52 boys and 51 girls will return in 1.924. There; were 90 pupils in residence, and there were 23 day pupils at the close of the: school year. The numbers attending the special classes were as follows : — Aucklanel. Wellington. Dunedin. Received instruction ... .. .. ..40 43 42 Left during the year .. .. .. .. 1.7 20 19 On the roll . . . . .. . . .. 23 23 23 Most, of the children attending these classes are part-time pupils.

Richmond. (Girls.) Otekaike. (Boys.) Total. I In residence On vacation At service In hospital In probation homes • 57 7 1 132 12 2 1 5 189 19 3 1 5 Totals 65 152 | 217

Item. Otekaike. Richmond. Total. Salaries Advertising Maintenane-.e of buildings .. Maintenance of institutions Additional buildings £ 4,349 15 346 2,881 15 £ 1,718 J. 38 1,304 45 £ 6,067 16 384 4,185 60 Travelling-expenses 7,606 3,106 10,712 513 Less recoveries 11,245 2,222 Net cost to I lepartmont £9,023