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H.—2o

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In addition to oaring for the physical fitness of the inmates and aiming at building up their bodily strength, the moral welfare has not been lost sight of, nor has the value of religious training in the reformation of the delinquents. In this respect our thanks are due to the four visiting chaplains from To Awamutu and Kihikihi, who see to it that 110 Sunday passes without some service being arranged for here. To the staff associated with me at' the institution I have also to tender my appreciation for the services rendered and the loyal support given in all our undertakings during the past year. Schoolmaster's Report. During the year school was held on three nights a week, each lesson being of one hour and half duration, and the average attendance being 44* 1 inmates. A continuation of the work on the more formal side, which includes English, dictation and spelling, composition, and arithmetic, has been carried on. The work ranged from satisfactory to very good, the progress in the middle and upper divisions being more• pronounced than that in the lower division, where the inmates are of a rather subnormal type, or of very low educable capacity. In the lower division the inmates receive individual teaching in the rudiments of English and arithmetic as intensive as the time and the staffing will permit. It is astounding the number of New-Zealand-born inmates who are of low educational standard, and who through no fault of their own are of a low educable capacity. The work on the three nights on which school was held was divided as follows : Monday evening, arithmetic ; Wednesday evening, English, spelling and dictation, correction of common errors of speech ; Eriday evening, upper division, arithmetic ; middle and lower divisions, English for the first hour and lecturette for final half-hour. The majority of the inmates attending the school are very interested in the work given them, and when a special class at which dairy science, agriculture, and book-keeping are given was started, although it meant an extra night at school, more than could be accommodated applied to be admitted. This class was composed of inmates who wished to learn something about the theoretical and technical part of the farming life which they wished to take up when discharged. The interest which those who joined evinced in the work of the class was above the ordinary. The fact that no disciplinary officer was required for this class speaks for the interest which the inmates took in the work. During the year I have been assisted in the ordinary night-school work by two inmates from the reformatory section of the institution, and I must say that their work has been of the very best and of the greatest assistance to me. When it is considered that these men receive no special privileges for this work it is very gratifying to receive such freely given help, for in many instances they have forfeited pleasure in order to assist me. The discipline and tone of the school is very good, due in no small measure to the tactful and efficient way in which the disciplinary officer handles the school, thus enabling me to cover the work with no friction. Point Halswell Borstal Institution. (Acting Superintendent, A. Escott.) At the beginning of the year there were 33 inmates in the Borstal Institution and 6 in the reformatory ; during the year 15 girls were received into the former institution, and 24 were released either on the recommendation of the Parole Board, on expiration of sentence, or by transference to other institutions, leaving 24 at the end of the year : 40 older women were received into the reformatory and 42 discharged, released, or transferred elsewhere, leaving 4 in custody at the end of the year. The health of the inmates has been exceptionally good, seven being admitted to the hospital during the year, four to the Maternity Home, and three to the public hospital. There were two escapes during the year. These two girls were only away a short time, and were captured quite near to the institution. The laundry and repair work for the Defence Department, and the laundry work for the Department of Internal Affairs and the Government Printing Office, are still carried on. The kitchen-garden and grounds round the institution are kept in order by the inmates, the garden providing practically all the vegetables required. We find the open-air life most suitable for inmates whose nervous temperaments and physical health make it almost impossible for them to be employed constantly inside the institution. School drill and games have been carried on as usual during the year. Church services have been held regularly by the ministers of the different denominations. Before leaving New Zealand Her Excellency the Lady Alice Eergusson visited the institution, when the girls had the honour of presenting Her Excellency with a doll dressed in Maori costume, and a supper-cloth which had been made by the inmates. The ladies of the Borstal Association have provided weekly entertainments during the year. Mrs. Coventry continues the weekly knitting class, thus enabling every girl to learn this branch of work. Home nursing classes have been conducted by Dr. Sylvia Chapman. At the close of six weeks instruction, nine girls sat for the examination, and all passed. We have again to thank all those kind people who thought of the inmates during the festival seasons —the J.P.'s Association for the delightful concert and tea, Mrs. Glover and officers of the Salvation Army for their annual tea-party, Mrs. Sprott for concert and tea given to the inmates on New Year's Day, the Borstal Association for gifts to the girls at Christmas and their annual tea-party at Easter. Thanks are also due to the ladies of the Borstal Association for the gift of a piano to the institution, which is very much appreciated. I should also like to thank Mr. Wood for renewing the wireless outfit; also the many kind people who have sent us books, gramophone records, kc. All these help greatly to promote peace and pleasure in the institution. The Borstal Committee, with Mr. I. Salek in the chair, has met regularly, dealing with any necessary business, after which the members talked with the inmates at their various occupations, giving them kindly advice, which is always helpful.

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