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meetings, &g. The Town Council has accepted our help on many occasions, and there are manyresidents who have cause to be grateful for work done gratuitously when they were laid aside by sickness. These are but a few of the many ways in which we represent ourselves to the public, and the result is a growing appreciation of our work. The remodelling of the carpentry and cabinetmaking sections which is now in progress will modernize the workshops and the methods of working. We have been helped in this work by the advice of master tradesmen in the district and of the District Registrar of Apprentices. This work, as well as other major alterations and additions to the existing buildings, including the construction of a staff dining-room and of a pantry, has been carried out by the boys under the supervision of their instructors. Two of our boys have been appointed to the staff of the Native Housing Department centred in Levin, and the reports upon their ability and workmanship have been most encouraging. Those boys of primary-school age whose case histories indicate that it would be undesirable for them to mix with the young boys at Hokio Beach School Section, and those who have attained secondary-school standard, are catered for at the main institution, where lessons are conducted by correspondence. The past year has seen an extension of post-primary education and three working boys are now taking School Leaving Certificate courses. Two others are taking courses in farming and poultry work. School-work on a part-time basis is being steadily developed throughout the Centre, and it is our ultimate aim to have every boy enrolled for some course most suited to his personal needs and calculated to be of assistance to him upon his return to society. In addition, we have extended the field of post-primary education by enrolling twelve boys in evening classes in English, arithmetic, and metal-work at Horowhenua College. Sport this year has reached a new level of interest and attainment and the lack of enthusiasm recorded last year is now far less in evidence. Boys from the Centre attended the local athletic sports meetings regularly each week and not only scored a large number of individual prizes, but on several occasions carried off the monthly points prize. Two teams were fielded in the district Softball competitions. Four of our boys were selected for representative play—a higher percentage than was achieved by any other team in the district. Boxing and physical training had a keen following. The scheme of permitting the lads to attend Divine service in the local churches, as reported last year, has proved to be most successful, and these contacts with members of the community are undoubtedly having a beneficial effect. It is with pleasure I again report a high standard of health amongst the trainees and the further complete absence of any epidemic or serious illness. New boys on admissions are examined by the doctor and dentist as early as possible, and we have been able to reintroduce the system of x-ray examination for new admissions. The Girls' Training Centre, Burwood. —This residential institution for the training of older girls had 70 in residence at the 31st March, 1947, as against 64 at 31st March, 1946. Forty-six girls were admitted during the year, and of those placed out, 8 who were working in the Christchurch district remained under the supervision of the Principal. The new hostel to accommodate staff and girls placed from the Centre at day service has been completed and is about to be occupied. More suitable accommodation for these girls will make easier the transition from institution to community. An indication of the comprehensive recreational and educational programme carried out at the Centre is given in the following extracts taken from the Principal's report:— Dr. Field has continued to visit the Centre monthly to interview the more difficult girls and has also spoken at staff conferences on different aspects of our work and problems. The training of girls in household crafts is recognized as an important part of our programme, and instruction is given in all branches of cooking, baking, preserving, jam-making, laundry work, housekeeping, &c. During the year girls have been placed at tailoring, dressmaking, shop-work, laundry-work, in hospitals and orphanages, and in domestic positions. Seven girls received their School Leaving Certificates. There are now 15 pupils in the primary school. Ten girls took Correspondence School courses. The courses covered were general, commercial, country life, and commercial art. We appreciate the continued help and interest given to both groups by the Inspectors and by the Visiting Teacher of the Department's Correspondence School. Two members of the St. John Ambulance have again conducted first-aid and home-nursing classes. Several groups of girls have taken part in plays and tableaux produced during the year. Handwork activities have included needlework, tatting, crochet, weaving, knitting, toymaking, dollmaking, and poster work, and two groups have been commenced in free painting. The singing group has continued to improve under the instruction of an outside specialist teacher. The Christchurch Male Voice Choir, after their annual concert, repeated their programme at the Centre, and the girls then entertained the choir with some of their songs'. Groups of girls have been taken to the concerts of the Musical, Choral, and Harmonic Societies.

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