H.—2o.

and 5 released on the expiration of terms of detention under section 16, subsection (1) of the Borstal Institutions (Establishment) Act, 1924. The daily average number of inmates in custody was 180-56 in the Borstal Institution and 11-23 in the prison. Three inmates escaped from the institution on one occasion, but were apprehended by Borstal officers two days later, and received further terms of detention in the Borstal Institution. Twelve Borstal inmates were admitted to the Southland Hospital during the year for treatment, only one case being very serious ; and on the whole the health of the inmates has been exceptionally good. In further development of the English Borstal system of internal government of the institution, the house system has been inaugurated here. Under their appointed captains, four houses were formed with their respective names and colours ; Monowai (red), Wakatipu (blue), Te Anau (gold), Manapouri (green). The plan of the building enabled the rooms of the inmates to be grouped off into four corresponding divisions. This departure was put into operation from the Ist May, and it has already furnished evidence of its good possibilities in creating a corporate spirit. A House Shield of Honour has been presented by the Southland Branch of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. The award takes into account the collective merits of each house in conduct, work, and play. During the football season, inter-house matches were played every Saturday, all except such as might be exempted by the Medical Officer being expected to take part, . In the results, lads who had never previously gone on the Rugby field as players made such progress in the game that they qualified for a place in one or other of the representative teams of the institution. In the province of general athletics, the house system has reacted similarly. Unless medically exempted, every lad was expected to train and enter for at least one event in the series of competitions. For presentation to the house scoring the highest aggregate of points, a silver challenge cup was given by the Dominion Women's Christian Temperance Union at the instance of its president, Mrs. T. E. Taylor, J.P., who, on her official visit to Invercargill, had interest in the progress of the house system at the Borstal. It would have gratified the donors to have seen how keenly each lad strove for the honour of his house. The innovation has certainly helped to bring each inmate under the beneficial influences, moral as well as physical, of participation in team games. During the past year the work and correlated practical instruction in farm industries and in various trades have been prosecuted mainly on the lines evolved in previous years. Mr. T. Mathews, Agricultural Instructor under the Southland Education Board, continued with undiminished enthusiasm his Saturday morning classes in agriculture and wool-classing. The members of these classes mostly made good use of their opportunities, their emulative efforts being furthered by the six book prizes again presented by the McKinnon Trust. Mr. Mathews reports :— •' Both the above classes were carried on throughout the year along the lines of previous years, both practical and lecturing work receiving due attention ; and, generally speaking, the standard of work has been well maintained. The lads in practically all cases appear to be keen and are interested in the instructional work. As is usually the case, certain lads show particular promise, hence advance at a greater rate than the remainder of the class and where this is so I endeavour, with the limited time at my disposal, to give these more advanced work or arrange for them to assist me with the practical work ; particularly in the wool-classing room. " Although, as above indicated, the work for the past year is up to standard, I am anxious to see further improvement, and, with this end in view have the following suggestions to make —namely, that a definite period be set aside each evening for the study of the notes given during the lectures each week. It is further suggested that instead of an annual examination as hitherto we follow the procedure of the secondary schools in holding term examinations. The foregoing will have the dual advantage of checking periodically the progress being made during the year, and thus isolating those members who may not be suitable or not taking full advantage of the instruction given." The Southland Branch of the Workers' Educational Association again sent one of its ablest lecturers, Mr. James St.obo, M.A., First Assistant in the Southland Technical College, who conducted a wellattended weekly class, of which he reports as follows : — ." The session as a whole was a very successful one, the interest of the students being well maintained and the attendance averaging about forty-five. Twenty-three meetings of the class were held, the subjects taken covering a wide range, and being chosen with a view to arouse in each member of the class a sense of civic responsibility. "In many cases these subjects followed suggestions made by the students themselves. Towards the end of the session play-reading was introduced, and besides providing an interesting variation of the work, was the means of revealing considerable talent. " The general conduct of the students gave no cause for complaint." The Invercargill Branch of the League of Nations Union, continuing its previous work, arranged for a series of lectures to be given by Mr. A. E. Featherstone and Mr. A. J. Deaker, M.A. At the end of the session thirty-five candidates sat for examination, their marks ranging from 50 per cent, to 84 per cent. Through its President, Mr. Wm. Macalister, 8.A., LL.B., who gave an inspiring address on the ideals of the League, the Union presented certificates and the Rotary Club gave valuable book prizes to all successful candidates. The Lecturers' report stated : " The evenings we spent were most enjoyable, and, although we lecture in various parts of the province, we have never found a more interested audience than your' lads. In no case have the examination results been better than here."

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