DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS.

Evening Star, Issue 4170, 8 July 1876, Page 2

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS.

The report on,the Industrial School for the year ending March 31 shows that there were in the institution on March 31, 1875, 65 boys and 59 girls, making in all 124. There had been admitted during the year 50 boys and 49 girls ; placed at service, discharged, deaths, &c., 27 boys and 30 girls, showing a "total in-the institution at the close of the year of 88 boys and-78 girls. The amount .voted' for expenditure was L 2,995, while the actual expenditure was only L 2,162 6s 9d. On maintenance alone no less a sum than L 669 3s 6d was saved. There have been admitted into the institution since its establishment 231 boys and 169 girls. Mr Hislop, the Inspector, reports:—

In consequenee of the death of Mr Britton in Decenibur, 1 1875,- the appointment of master of the school was conferred by-the Government on Sergt. T;tcheaer, who had been, "for many years a very efficient officer of the Otago "Police Force. Mr* Titohener was at the same time appointed matron. It gives me much pleasure to be able to report that the expectations formed of Mr and Mrs Titchoner have been very fully realised, and that, in the words of the medical attendant, " the management is all that can be desired." I consider it my duty to bear the most emphatio testimony to Jthe kindliness and attention to the children invariably manifested" by the master and matron, the assistant mpstsr,,and the whole of the female attendants. The spirit of genuine kindliness which pervades the whole establishment is moat unmistakably producing its natural results in the increasing happiness and contentment, as well as in the appearanoeand general bearing, of the children. Mr James, the recently appointed teacher, and Miss Christie, the schoolmistress, Beem well qualified for the work committed to them, and I anticipate very happy results from their labors in the sohoolroom. I can only repeat what I have eo often brought under the notico of the Government as to the greatly over-i«„wded condition of|thebuilding», and the want of the proper means of classification. I can attribute the present immunity of the inmates from fever and other diseases only to the healthiiness of the site and the extreme care and attention of the Medical Attendaac, the Master and Matron, and their assistants. The average cost per head for maintenance has amounted to 6s per head per W69k. The-system of licensing children to their p- rents is reputed to haveTHid the most satisfactory results. There is placed in the Post Office Savings Bank to the credit of £9 children, yiz., 35 boys and 24 girls, the sum of L52316s 7d, being an increase of LB4 Is 2d for the year. I have received L 227 2s 3d from the relations of several of the children for their maintenance; also, Ll6 17s 6d from the sale of pigs, calves, sand, &c.

Dr Burns reports that the children at the present time are more robust and healthy than he had ever known them. He had to again urge the necessity of anjmmediate addition to the building, withouiftßKch (at the present rate of increased admissions) it cannot fail to become speedily unhealthy, and thus frustrate the very object for which it was established.

The Harbor reports show the receipts from the Graving Dock for the year to have been L 2,226 12s 4d, with outstanding receipts L 244 08 2d, due by the Don Juan and Rosalia. The expenditure has been L 3,517 2s lOd. Captain Thomson, reporting on the Graving Dock, says : •'

Iu my last annual report I mentioned -a probable completion ere now of the whole maehinory in the dock workshop, bat regret to say that my anticipations in that respect have not been realised, as the steam hammer and the accompanying blast furnace have not been erected. Without these appliances the workshop is not complete, and consequently this port is helpless to assist our large ocean steamers in a heavy break down that will from time to time occur with them. • I would therefore respectfully urge that such machinery be erected; and I would here renew my application for a new engine-house and chimney; also that the matter of lobgthening the deck bo now considered in order to take in such vessels as the Australia, and to acquire the land fer such purpose from the Port Chalmers Municipal authorities before too many difficulties surround the same.

lii conclusion th« Harbor Master congratulates the Harbor Board on the establishment of a system for the practical training of young men for tbe pilot service, hopeful that it is the commencement of a Naval School at Otago Heads, which will shortly provide education in aU the branches necessary for the apprentice pilots to rise to the standard required by the advancing skill and intelligence of the present age.