EDUCATION: INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS. [In continuation of E.-3, 1907.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1908 Session I, E-03

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1908. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS. [In continuation of E.-3, 1907.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. EXTRACT FROM THE THIRTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION. Industrial Schools. There were seven Government and four private industrial schools in existence in 1907. The numbers on the books of all the schools at the close of the year compared with the numbers at the close of 1906 were as follows :—

TABLE M1.—Inmates, 1906 and 1907.

The total number belonging to all schools whose maintenance was a charge against the public funds was 1,441, or 71 more than the number at the end of 1906. Of this total, 392 were resident at Government schools, and 329 at private schools. The number boarded out with foster-parents for payment was 687, 8 being from private schools. There were maintained in various corrective institutions 7 girls; in orphanages, 1 girl; at the Costley Training Institution, Auckland, 11 boys; in hospitals, 3 boys and 3 girls; and 2 girls and 6 boys in mental hospitals. There were also 710 who, although still on the books of the schools, were not dependent on them for maintenance.

It^UU. JS1EW ZEALAND. EDUCATION: INDUSTEIAL SOHOOLS. [In continuation of E.-3, 1907.] Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency. No. 1. EXTRACT FROM THE THIRTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION. Industrial Schools. There were seven Government and four private industrial schools in existence in 1907. The numbers on the books of all the schools at the close of the year compared with the numbers at the close of 1906 were as follows :— TABLE Ml.—Inmates, 1906 and 1907. Boarded out. In Residence. At Service, &e. Totals. I 1 I "i \ I I r i i i l II I ||S" 6 a o 6 v H o ' <5 o « o 6 6 « S ' d <D Z, <2 O <D X<00> 9 q D 9 a r] Q 0) Q M Q- O 1 Q ■ & O 1 Q Q 5QQ Q £ O I fi 6 3 v B S P I—( ® Q ft si Q ■ 2 8 u 8 a U T « I O <D I « i i 29 45 148 105 I l Government Sohools— Auckland (Mount Albert) 67 7 .. 74 i 28 1 .. 29 45 10 .. 55 Boys' Trainiug Farm, We- 18 .. 3 15 j 126 22 .. 148 105 19 .. 124 raroa Beoeiving Home, Welling- 231 16 .. 247! 2 9 .. 11 45 11 .. 56 ton Te Oranga Home, Christ- ; 49 6 .. 55 24 7 .. 31 church Beoeiving Home, Christ- 185 j .. 11 174 I 9 5 .. 14 92 .. 1 91 church Burnham .. .. 4 1.. 5 \ 106 1 .. 107 139 25 114 Caversham .. .. 178 .. 7 171 j 23 5 .. 28 ' 83 .... 83 Private Schools — St. Mary's, Auckland I 96 10 .. 106 45 .. 4 41 St. Joseph's, Wellington., i I 25 2 23 27 .. 1 26 St. Mary's, Nelson .. 1 .. .. 1 I 155 3 .. 158 111 .. 8 103 St. Vincent de Paul's, 6 2 .. 8 ' il 1 .. 42 9 2 .. 11 Dunedin 7 16 8 11 74 i 28 15 j 126 247 I 2 i .. 49 174 I 9 1 22 9 6 5 11 45 55 24 14 j 92 10 19 11 7 1 55 124 56 31 91 140 249 278 73 286 18 38 36 13 7 158 287 314 86 279 I 1 i 5 ' 106 171 | 23 1 5 107 : 139 28 j 83 25 114 83 249 284 23 2 ! 226 282 k ..96 .. i 25 1 I 155 8 41 10 2 106 ! 45 23 27 158 111 42 9 8 41 26 103 11 141 52 267 56 6 5 j 147 j 49 262 61 2 3 1 5 Totals .. .. 690 26 21 695 i 660 j 63 2 721 | 725 49 39 735 26 I i 695 i 660 j I i 63 721 J 725 39 735 2,075 116 i i 40 2,151 21 2 The total number belonging to all schools whose maintenance was a charg funds was 1,441, or 71 more than the number at the end of 1906. Of this tot£ at Government schools, and 329 at private schools. The number boarded out for payment was 687, 8 being from private schools. There were maintained i institutions 7 girls; in orphanages, 1 girl; at the Costley Training Institi boys; in hospitals, 3 boys and 3 girls; and 2 girls and 6 boys in mental hoi also 710 who, although still on the books of the schools, were not dependent ;e against the public il, 392 were resident ; with foster-parents in various corrective ition, Auckland, 11 spitals. There were on them for main-

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The total net cost in connection with both Government and private schools was £32,552 7s. 9d., being £2,946 ss. lid. less than for the previous year. Table M 2 shows the cost of the Government schools, in which is included the expenditure for the maintenance of children boarded out with foster-parents; it also includes the cost of supervision of all the boys and girls who are permitted to reside away from the schools to which they belong. In this table account is taken of the amounts paid by Charitable Aid Boards for children sent to the schools as indigent, payments from persons against whom there are orders for maintenance, and the receipts from the sale of farm-produce, &c.

TABLE M2.—Expenditure on Government Schools, 1907.

Table M3 shows the payments made by the Government on account of children belonging to private industrial schools. The recoveries include payments made by parents under orders for maintenance; but as contributions from Charitable Aid Boards are made directly to the managers of these schools, they are not taken into account in this statement.

TABLE M3.—Government Expenditure on Private (Roman Catholic) Schools, 1907.

Other payments made by the Government are shown in the following table : —

TABLE M4.—Summary of Expenditure on Special Cases at other Institutions, 1907.

Cost of School, incuding Buildings and other Works. Boarding out. Included in first column.) Salaries. (Included in first column.) Net Cost. Government Schools. Recoveries. I £ 8. d. Auckland .. .. .. 2,625 16 0 Boys'Training Farm, Weraroa 12,436 16 1 ! Receiving Home, Wellington.. 6,879 0 3j Te Oranga Home .. .. 2,467 7 T Receiving Home, Christohurch 5,754 12 6 j Burnham .. .. .. 6,421 10 9 | Caversham .. .. .. 5,374 10 4 £ 8. d. 2,625 16 0 12,436 16 1 6,879 0 3 2,467 7 7 5,754 12 6 6,421 10 9 5,374 10 4 £ s. d. £ s. d. 1,259 2 7 414 8 9 361 5 6 1,858 17 5 4,211 13 0 417 7 1 726 16 0 3,388 10 11 494 17 4 97 10 0 2,214 15 11 3,089 12 4 724 6 3 £ s. d. 1,259 2 7 361 5 6 4,211 13 0 £ s. d. 414 8 9 1,858 17 5 417 7 1 726 16 0 494 17 4 2,214 15 11 724 6 3 £ s. d. 946 16 4 2,229 14 7 i 3,537 10 2 166 15 6 ! 2,941 3 2 675 6 7 3,547 8 8 £ 8. d. 946 16 4 2,229 14 7 3,537 10 2 166 15 6 2,941 3 2 675 6 7 3,547 8 8 £ s. d. 1,678 19 8 10,207 1 6 3,341 10 1 2,300 12 1 2,813 9 4 5,746 4 2 1,827 1 8 3,388 10 11 97 10 0 3,089 12 4 Totals .. .. 41,959 13 6 41,959 13 6 12,407 14 4 6,851 8 9 12,407 14 4 6,851 8 9 | 14,044 15 0 14,044 15 0 27,914 18 6 Sala-ies, travelling allowances, and expenses of di Refund of inmates' earnings Commission expenses, inquiry held at Burnham Allowance to A. Thompson, late visaing officer Contingencies lepartmentdl officers (inspectors, visitin I (balance of) ng officers, &c.) 1,961 9 0 72 12 4 21 4 9 100 0 0 181 2 1 Total net cost 30,251 6 8

Name of School. Gross Cost. Recoveries. Net Cost. £ 8. d. £ s. d. 314 7 11 996 19 7 21 13 5 178 1 7 358 19 1 678 4 9 24 11 0 98 17 4 It. Mary's. Auckland.. it. Jos. ph's, Wellington It. Mary's, N l*on It. Vincent de Paul's, Dunedin £ s. d. 1,311 7 6 199 15 0 1,037 3 10 123 8 4 Totals " ! 2,671 14 8 719 11 5 1,952 3 8

iovernmi mt School; Roman Catholic Schools. 13 a £ 3 V s IS* — CS o ax ox, ca 00 . is CO H x S°a> ■§.£3 -m * O 5« o i ■s G % ca O Total. CO bs is 8 *ci"a$ H,f5 CO Total. Luckland — Costley Training Institution Wellington- — Salvation Army Home Ihnstchurch — Mount Magdala .. Children's Convalescent Cottage Home Samaritan Home .. >unedin— Otago Benevolent Institution Salvation Army Maternity Home .. £ B. d. 242 0 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 242 0 0 £ b. d. £ s. d. 242 0 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 72 16 9 3 0 0 72 16 9 3 0 0 0 17 5 73 14 2 3 0 0 16 8 0 16 8 0 16 8 0 2 18 3 8 5 5 2 18 3 8 5 5 2 18 3 8 5 5 Total 242 0 3 16 0 89 4 9 3 0 0 11 3 8 349 4 5 0 17 5 350 1 10 Less miscellaneous recoveries 14 0 Net total 348 17 10

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The amount collected from parents towards the maintenance of their children was £4,329 10s. 9d., an increase of £852 2s. 3d. This total represents contributions at the rate of £3 os. Id. per head of the number of children (1,441) maintained at the public cost. The total amount in the Post-Office Savings-Bank to the credit of the earnings accounts of young people now under the control of industrial schools, or who formerly belonged to them, was £22,084 9s. lOd. at the 31st December, 1907. Of this amount, £17,514 18s. lOd. was held on account of Government school's, and £4,569 lis. for private schools. The sum withdrawn during the year amounted to £2,157 18s. Bd. for Government schools, and £399 Bs. 9d. for private schools.

No. 2. STATISTICS. Memorandum for the Hon. the Minister of Education. In December, 1907, the number on the books of all the industrial schools was 2,151, or 76 more than at the close of the year 1906. On the books of the Government industrial schools there were 1,632, an increase of 73 over the corresponding number for 1906; on the books of the private (Roman Catholic) industrial schools there were 519, or 3 more than at the end of the previous year. Of the total number (2,151) belonging to all schools, 1,441 children were dependent on public funds for maintenance. The remainder (710) may be classified as follows: Licensed to reside with friends, 171; at service, &c, 421 ; boarded out without payment, 8; in hospitla, 3; at the Costley Training Institution, Auckland, under license, H; in other institutions, 13; in gaol, 6; absent without leave, or whereabouts unknown, 80—namely, 12 from service, 67 from the schools, and 1 from friends. The following table shows the status of all the inmates at the close of the year :—

Inmates, 31st December, 1907.

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Govern iment Schooli 'rivat teSc jhoolB. All Schoi ils. Inmates. "3 a a 3 V S •«! a a «j 13° x l> o M i I .2 «3 .saa 3 d & ; *%> S gS o O : 0) o £ U i Sffi ™ H ! * A o G. B. G. I I I A a £ 5 a £ CO 03 B. B. G. I ."a ■as DO W ".■3 3 00 . ! . a |£.S G. G. +3 a a ir. 9 ■w o u 6 o .a oi o 1 B.|o.| B. ! G. B.|i G. as 00 O -3 M c5 o fB. B. In the schools .. Boarded out With friends At service Training-ship In hospitals, convalescent homes, &c. In mental hospitals At Costlay Training Institution Under oontrol of refuges or cognate institutions Under oontrol of orphanage, cottage home, &c. In gaol Absent without leave, or whereabouts unknown 44 2 6 29 80 4 21 148 15 47 57 4 151 12 16 7 96 10 8 55 o 18 5 92 9 88 1 1 9 82 8 35 107 5 24 47 99 5 8 2J7£ IS 5C :55 8 8| 51 1 |26 23 *8 18 115 16 44 43 1 5 19 42 8 5 6 434 106 118 219 1 6 287 289 53 201 721 695 171 420 1 9 353 616 115 275 1 6 368 79 56 145 i a i 3 3 "3 1 2 e 2 S 6 2 119, 19 io| 17 2 6 7 1 1 2 17 10 12 7 1 1 20 3 3 6 34 1 1 2 i 68 79 151 6 75 5 6 80 5 57 1 23 721 86 287 18s! 129 86 147 132 226 167 32 49 1931 61 1,298 858 2,151 1,464 687 115 \&) Totals 2i 147 26!

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The admissions to the schools during the year are classified according to the two following tables :—

Admissions in 1907, classified according to Cause of Admission.

Admissions in 1907, classified according to Parents' Circumstances and Character.

The number of admissions during the year (290) shows no change in the number for 1906. Of these, 58 were sent from Auckland, 80 from Wellington, 42 from Christchurch, 33 from Dunedin, 10 from Napier, and 9 from Palmerston North. Of the remaining 58 children, no one town sent more than 6 to the schools. Of the children admitted (290) 28'6 per cent, were illegitimate.

Government Schools. Privati Schools. All Sclii (Old. Admitted as a c .- -_ = ce ■■I *- a a CD a . o a -jH o sl o M ! 6 : a o W ca oo a ce E O CO trl eo" 8.3 O © W« ooa sg >.S oXi oo K i a a E a ffl § ca 3 CO E CO 0* ca o CO 3 «! S.S a 4* 05 -™ fl 22 O &| tn H W ba" Hit5 00 a ».S So* ■ fl -s c p*5 r B. G. G. B. G. B. B. G. B. G. G. 1 B. G. i G. •n-. O H ■ 3 "3 +H o a a. B. Destitute Beeging Vagrant.. Associating with disreputable persons Uncontrollable .. Accused or guilty of punishable offences 1 5 2 ■20 20 1 IB 4 1 1 2 18 2 5 1 1 1 11 2 4 67 3 16 15 43 110 3 20 42 8 2 's 8 4 i 6 i l 1 'a 2 3 2 1 8 1 5 i 2 1 2 1 27 5 1 3 1 5 6 1 -2 2 2 5 5 i 4 4-2 1 7 1 1 1 5 20 63 12 9 32 72 i Bv arrangement .. Transferred from gaol Totals .. J 1 1 1 2 3 5 2 1 5 6 i 5 12 I ! 18 21 28 I 31 14 16 8 55 8 15 3 4 26 5 7 j 192 98 290 17 II

Precedent G mdition of Chil Idren adi oiitted in 1907. Fathers, described an Mothers, described as .2 » Og x g rS co SSh-h or cd •23 •-3 §1 < CO* s £ o CH a o 6 a D ; "S8 "3 fa <D as 3 3 CJ 3 -5 W a CO S cv 00 a C3 CH Hi < >. m Total. HH HH CC CO Q so a •a oo CO M a ca CH sr •> Dead Mentally unfit Good Questionable Dead Good Questionable Bad Good Questionable D-ad Mentally unfit Good Questionable Bad Unknown Dead Good Questionable Bad Unknown Good Physically unfit Questionable Bad Good Questionable Bad Dead Physically unfit Mentally unfit Good Questionable Bad Deserter Unknown 13 1 3 2 4 20 2 3 3 1 12 2 i 2 2 1 7 1 2 1 2 •• "i i 'i ! i i i i 3 'i 8 1 3 3 1 9 8 2 2 1 1 8 1 i ':, 46 1 2 4 1 1 1 2 26 5 4 4 1 15 5 82 8 4 8 6 5 23 6 2 9 1 1 16 5 2 6 2 1 1 13 6 18 1 7 8 1 * • 1 Bad 3 4 1 2 1 1 1 7 6 5 1 3 i io a i Deserter i i 4 Unknown .. "i i 3 '2 i 6 i 'i i i i i Totals 110 3 20 42 32 78 5 290

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From information taken from the Magistrates' orders it is found that the religious denominations in which the children who were admitted are to be brought up are: Church of England, 131 ; Roman Catholic, 96; Presbyterian, 48; Methodist, 15. The number of inmates who during 1907 ceased to be under the control of industrial schools was 214. Of these, 141 were discharged by warrant, 51 reached twenty-one years of age, 6 were married, and 16 died. Of this total 141 were of good character, 15 fair, and 2 bad; 2 were weak-minded, 23 were missing, 15 were discharged under fifteen years of age (9 of whom were adopted), and 15 under and 1 over that age died. The number of deaths (16) shows an increase of 3 on the number for the previous year. The medical certificates show that, of the 7 inmates boarded out at the time of death, 1 died of whooping-cough and bronchitis, 1 diphtheria and heart-failure, 1 enteritis and exhaustion, 1 whooping-cough and convulsions, 2 diarrhoea, and 1 tubercular meningitis and coma. Six resident inmates died—l of rickets, diarrhoea, and convulsions, 1 bronchitis and convulsions, 1 tonsillitis and diarrhoea, 1 acute laryngitis, 1 laryngitis and asphyxia, and 1 acute indigestion and general debility. One inmate (with friends) died of tubercular peritonitis and dropsy. One boy died in hospital of pulmonary tuberculosis and empyema, and one girl died in a mental hospital of tonsillitis and septicaemia.

Discharges, 1907.

Numbers of 1906 and 1907 compared.

E. O. GlBBBS, Education Department, Wellington, 28th June, 1908. Secretary for Education.

No. 3. REPORTS OF MEDICAL OFFICERS. Auckland Industrial School. Sir, — Auckland, 30th May, 1908. I beg to report that the health of the children at the Mount Albert Industrial School has been excellent, and that all those children who are resident in the school are in good health. There were a few severe cases of illness amongst the boarded-out children, but now all are in good health. I have, &c, A. Challinor Purchas, M.8., CM., M.R.C.S. (Eng.), The Secretary for Education, Wellington. Medical Officer.

Cau c e of Discharge. Auckland. Governmi Bovs' Receiving Training I Home, p-arm, | WellingWeraroa. ' ton. mt Schools. 7 I 5f . Receiving 3 2 Home, i g Christ ■J x church H a ea X a E IS Caversham. Pri ivate Schools. .»" 3 -3 O OS 3 CO . ®h- a f>- L ' a • o = All I lohools. SI Mar Auckl ■y"s, I land.! Mar Neh it. ry's, son. i B. G. B. B. G. G. B. j G. B. B. G. B. I G. G. B. G. G. CO >. O « £ "5 5 g Warrant of discharge Death Reached age of 21 years Marriage Totals 3 3 23 ! 4 3 6 3 51 8 4 3 19 111 30 141 1 3 4 7~~ 1 2 2 1 3 1 8 2 3 6 8 2 1 2 2 5 1 7 20 9 16 31 51 io 3 3 ... 26 7 i: 6 2 12 8 2 14 l 62 1 I 6 6 7 1 7 26 8 1 1 139 5 6 75 214 75 .8 !2

In the schools Boarded out With friends Adopted At service In hospitals, convalescent homes, &c. In mental hospitals School for the deaf At Costley Training Institution Under control of refuges or cognate institutions Under control of orphanage, cottage home, &c. In gaol Absent without leave, or whereabouts unknown Training-ship Inmates. At End of Year 1906. 1907. 660 721 690 695 171 171 1 419 420 6 9 6 8 2 19 19 12 19 6 2 1 6 82 80 1 I Increase or Decrease. + 61 + 5 1 + 1 + 3 + 2 - 2 + " 7 4 + 5 2 + 1 Totals .. 2,075 'j 2,151 + 76

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St. Mart's Industrial School, Auckland, Girls' Branch, Ponsonbt. Sir,— Auckland, 3rd June, 1908. I have inspected thoroughly every department of the establishment, and find drainage, water-supply, &c, in good order. The children are well clothed and well fed. The dormitories are kept exceedingly clean and sufficiently ventilated. The children's bed-covering is ample and suited for the season. Every care is taken by the Mother Superior, Sister Mary Francis, to insure thorough cleanliness and happiness amongst the large number of inmates under her immediate control. I have, &c, W. J. Darby, The Secretary for Education, Wellington. Hon. Physician.

Boys' Training Farm, Wbraroa. Sir,— 30th April, 1908. During the past year there have been no serious cases of illness. The general health of the inmates has been good. The inconvenience from overcrowding mentioned in my last report still exists, and, although more accommodation has been provided, the number of inmates has largely increased during the year. This is a matter that is of importance, and should have some consideration. The lighting of the cottage homes is defective, and the remarks made in my last report still hold good in this respect. I would again urge that the electric-light installation be extended to them. I have from time to time examined the food, and the living and sleeping rooms, and have at all times found these properly attended to. The water-supply is still defective, in that the filter-beds that have been put in get silted up, and have to be interfered with to allow enough water through for the requirements of the institution. The interference destroys for the time the power of the beds to remove from the water any dangerous ingredients it may contain, and so destroys the utility of the beds. I would suggest that, seeing the town of Levin has decided to put in a high-pressure supply, a pipe should be connected with that supply. This would be a great advantage in case of fire, and would give an unlimited supply of very excellent water for all purposes. The Manager has at all times given me all assistance required in carrying out my duties, and the Matron has given every care and attention to the sick. I have, <fee, H. D. Mackenzie, M.D., The Secretary for Education, Wellington. Medical Officer.

Wellington Receiving Home. Sir,— Wellington, 13th May, 1908. I have the honour to report that during the past year I have visited and inspected the Wellington Receiving Home at regular intervals, and attended the children there, as well as those at the foster-homes in or contiguous to Wellington. Since my last report additions and alterations have been made to the Home. From a medical point of view these are entirely satisfactory. The general health of the inmates during the past year has been good. Seven patients have had minor operations, five of these being for tonsils and adenoids, and two for the opening of abscesses. There have been three deaths in the Horne —two from meningitis, of which one was 1 tubercular, and one from diphtheria. The latter was extremely ill when brought into the Home. I can speak very highly of the attention of the foster-mothers to the children. I have often found that out of the allowance for board they have bought the children delicacies and simple remedies which must have absorbed several weeks' remuneration. I have, &c, Donald McGavin, M.D., F.R.C.S. (Eng)., The Secretary for Education, Wellington. Medical Officer.

St. Joseph's Industrial School (Girls), Wellington. Sir, — Wellington, 6th June, 1908. I have the honour to furnish the annual report on St. Joseph's Industrial School, Wellington. I made my annual examination on the 4th June, 1908, and found the inmates happy, contented, and in the best of health. The dormitories, class, dining, and work rooms were scrupulously clean and tidy. The ventilating and sanitary arrangements are all that can be desired. Sister Ambrose is still in charge of the institution, and under her good management the health of the children is well looked after. I have, <fee, The Secretary for Education, Wellington. P. Mackin, M.D., F.R.C.S. (Eng.).

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St. Mart's Industrial School, Nelson: Bots' Branch, Stoke. Sir,— Nelson, 25th May, 1908. During the year ended the 31st March, 1908, the health of the boys at the Stoke Orphanage has been good on the whole. At the end of August, 1907, there was an epidemic of pharyngitis and laryngitis, apparently influenzal in character. One boy died from laryngeal obstruction during this epidemic. I performed tracheotomy on him, but he ceased breathing soon after the trachea was opened. On the occasions of my visits the condition of the dormitories and offices has been satisfactory. None of the boys punished suffered in health therefrom. The septic tank is now working satisfactorily. The management of the whole institution appears satisfactory. I have, &c, P. A. Bett, M.8., M.R.C.S., The Secretary for Education, Wellington. Medical Officer.

Te Oranga Home. Sir,— Christchurch, 30tfa May, 1908. I have the honour to forward my annual report on Te Oranga Home. The health of the inmates has been exceptionally good during the past year, there having been no case of serious illness except one case of appendicitis, the patient making a good recovery. The Home, as usual, has been kept beautifully clean and tidy. I can testify to the excellent management of the Home, and congratulate Government on having the services of such an excellent Matron as Mrs. Branting. I consider that she is doing a very good work among a class of girl most difficult to influence for good. The need of the new building is urgently felt. It is to be hoped the work will be pushed forward, so that the girls may be separated into three or more classes I have, &c, A. Moorhouse, M.8., Ch.B., The Secretary for Education, Wellington. Medical Officer.

v Christchurch Receiving Home. Sir,— Christchurch, 30th May, 1908. 1 have the honour to submit the annual medical report of the Government Receiving Home, Christchurch. There have been no serious epidemics of infectious fevers among the inmates. One child, boarded out in Sydenham, had scarlet fever; she made good recovery. Another boarded-out child had pneumonia and was sent to the public hospital, where she made a good recovery. There have been two deaths, an infant, on the 23rd May, 1907, from bronchitis and convulsions; the second, on the sth September, from tonsillitis and diarrhoea. The other illnesses have not been of a serious nature. The management is in every respect most satisfactory, scrupulous cleanliness and order being maintained. The Matron and staff are seriously handicapped by having to work in two houses. It is especially unpleasant in wet weather. The new building is urgently needed, so that all the inmates may be under one roof. It has been most gratifying to see the change for the better generally shown by the children in a short time after their committal. I have, <fee, A. Moorhouse, M.8., Ch.B., The Secretary for Education, Wellington. Medical Officer.

Burnham Industrial School. Sir,— Christchurch, 13th June, 1908. I have the honour to present the following report on the health of the Burnham Reformatory for the year 1907. There was very little illness of a serious nature during the year— in fact, the number of cases of severe illness was less than for several previous years. I attribute this to the exceptionally fine winter. There were, however, as usual, a large number of cases of a septic type, due to infection, though very few were bad enough to be sent to Christchurch Hospital. Waterproof Floors. —As new buildings are in course of erection, I strongly recommend that the floors be rendered waterproof by dressing them with paraffin or otherwise, as is done in naval and military hospitals at Home. The floors at present never become quite dry in winter after the usual scrubbing, being old and porous. The consequent dampness of the air in the dormitories has a most unfavourable influence on health : it lowers the resistance to disease and retards the recovery of sick boys confined to bed, and you know we have no hospital. Professor W. Thomson, of Manchester, in the Lancet of the 11th April, 1908, says, "Thoroughly dried air has a much more powerful oxidizing influence on the blood than air which has not been dried. Whereas, when breathing dry air, the lungs exhale 5"2 per cent, of carbonic acid, they exhale less than 4 per cent, of carbonic acid when breathing damp air." I have, &c, W. H. Stmes, M.D., B.Sc, The Secretary for Education, Wellington. Medical Officer,

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Caversham Industrial School, Dunedin. Sir,— In presenting the annual report of the above school, 1 am glad to be able to say that there has been very little illness either among the inmates of the school or among those boarded out. There has been a little anaemia, a few isolated cases of influenza, bronchitis, and acute tonsillitis with enlarged cervical glands, and a few minor complaints : there has been no epidemic. One bad case of inherited specific disease is likely to require constant supervision with regard to his health. The majority of the children look bright and cheerful, and well nourished. I have, &c, Emily H. Siedeberg, M.8., CM., The Secretary for Education, Wellington. Medical Officer.

St. Vincent de Paul's Girls' School, Dunedin. Sir, — Dunedin, Ist June, 1908. I have the honour to submit my annual report on the St. Vincent de Paul Orphanage, South Dunedin. I am pleased to state that the health of the inmates continues in a very satisfactory state. Little sickness, and nothing of an infectious nature, manifested itself during the year. One death —the first in two years—took place, an infant succumbing to acute laryngitis. The sanitary arrangements are excellent, and all hygienic details, the feeding and clothing of the children, are capably attended to by the Rev. Mother Superior and sisters. I have, &c, Eugene J. O'Neill, M.8., F.R.C.S. (Eng.), The Secretary for Education, Wellington. Medical Officer.

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