H.—2o.

" Early in the year it was found necessary to reorganize the working of the classes owing to the illness of Mr. J. S. McGrath. With the new organization Mr. McFarlane took over the working of the High School, and a syllabus on the progressive lines of educational thought and teaching was mapped out. By this method of instruction it was able _to interest the pupils in the prescription which aims to reveal the cultural side of education through English and literature, that business arithmetic and business methods are live subjects, and that current topics and civics are closely allied. " The lower school, under my guidance, was used mainly for those pupils who were not up to proficiency standard. Those with a brighter intelligence were promoted to the High School at intervals throughout the year. Special attention was paid to those who showed inabdity in any particular branch of instruction. " In geography, history, and civics the main object was to give the pupils additional interest in our own country and to show the wonderful advancemert New Zealand has made since its lawless days of a hundred years ago." An educational class is now being held daily at the farm branch by a competent start officer. . Physical training is an integral part of Borstal training, and under Mr. J. Page, Physical Director of the Southland Boys' High School, the lads have made phenomenal progress. The physical-drill display was one of the outstanding features of the concert given in the Civic Theatre last September. _ ( . The library has been reorganized and is now working Several donations ol books have been received during the year, and full advantage is being taken of the books which are at the disposal of the inmates. All books are kept in an excellent state of repair. In addition to the existing library, a special library for officers has been inaugurated where current literature is procurable, together with books on subjects dealing with the rehabilitating of delinquents. The weekly Bible classes have been reorganized and are now being conducted by the ministers of the various denominations, thus making it possible for a lad to keep in touch with a minister of his own faith. _ . We are indebted to the various ministers and Salvation Army Officers for conducting Divine service each Sunday and for the kindly interest they have shown towards both inmates cin_ci "fch-G 3idni] mstrsiti on A special service was held on Anzac Day by the Rev. E. B. Chambers and Mr. Hugh Ritchie, president of the Returned Soldiers' Association. The services of a number of eminent visitors to the city have been secured, among whom were Lieutenant-Colonel Walls, National Young People's Secretary, Salvation Army Colonel Orsborn, Chief Secretary, Salvation Army; Mr. A. Johnson, the Blind Evangelist; and Mr. H. St. John, a world-travelled evangelist, _ . Special mention must be made of the service of Mr. H. Dobie, who has again officiated each Sunday morning at the organ. . . Under the auspices of the Invercargill Group, Toe H members have paid monthly visits on Sunday evenings, supplying both musical items and interesting addresses. One of the problems in Borstal work is the after-care of inmates, and to assist this steps have been taken to form a Borstal Society in Invercargill. Several prominent citizens have interested themselves in this scheme, and with their co-operation I feel sure that it will be a success. Our thanks are due to their Excellencies Lord and Lady Bledisloe for their magnificent gift of a subject-picture of the Madonna and child to commemorate their visit to the institution in January, 1931. On the 30th November last an opportunity was given members of the Southland Justices Association of making themselves acquainted with the various activities carried out at the institution and farm. The comments of the visitors made it very evident that they were most favourably impressed with all they had seen. The ninth annual summer camp was held at Otatara, when a happy fourteen days were spent under canvas amidst ideal surroundings and under excellent weather conditions. The general tone and spirit of the camp was all that could be desired. Each officer did yeoman service, and each inmate appreciated to the full the privilege granted by the Department. We are again indebted to Mr. R. M. Brasted, National Secretary, Y.M.C.A., for assisting with the camp and loaning picture-machines and programmes, also for the use of the large marquee. Mr. Brasted was ever a source of inspiration, and much of the success of the camp was undoubtedly due to his untiring efforts. Sports Day was an unqualified success, when an active interest was displayed by Mr. E. C. Levvey,' S.M., Chairman of the Visiting Committee, and His Worship the Mayor, Mr. J. Miller", who at the conclusion of the events addressed the boys and presented the prizes. Our thanks are due to the Southland Justices' Association, Rotary Club, the Southland Times Co., Hardware Association, Patients' and Prisoners' Aid Society (Invercargill and Dunedin), Dr. J. Garfield Crawford, the various business firms, ladies' committee, and kindhearted citizens who made generous donations to the Christmas Cheer Fund. With the co-operation of the musical fraternity and other sympathetic citizens several concerts, lectures, and moving-picture entertainments have been held during the year and were keenly enjoyed by the inmates. 4—H. 20.

19