5

H.-12.

Table K. shows the conduct of boys who have been apprenticed from the school since its establishment, and gives a result of a most satisfactory nature. The appearance of the boys is, I think, evidence that they are well fed. The cost of ration for the past twelve months has been a little under sixpence per head per diem (5827 pence), which includes fuel, lights, soap, seeds for farm and garden, and, for the last six months, the cost of conveying the provisions from Auckland to the school. Subject to the approval of His Lordship the Bishop of Melanesia, the trustees of the mission have consented to resume the charge of the old schooner at present attached to the school; and I trust that before long His Lordship's consent to. this may be received. The question of providing a suitable vessel is one to which I would urge special attention. For general purposes I believe a small schooner of from twenty to forty tons would be the best. She could be fitted with exercising yards, and would, at most, entail but one additional hand, and would be available for cruising, fetching stores, &c, in all weathers; whilst a large vessel could not be got under weigh safely from this anchorage with the wind strong from N.E. by way of North to N.W., and for sea-cruising would require an additional staff of at least four men and two officers; at the same time, it cannot be doubted that the boys visiting the different ports in a vessel worked mainly by themselves would bring the institution more prominently under the notice of shipowners. The erection of cottages to enable the instructors to have their families residing near them would, I imagine, go far towards keeping men for long periods. Single men soon, as a rule, tire of the worry and confinement, and, having no ties, seldom remain long. Recently there has been great difficulty in obtaining men, and for two months, prior to the increase of pay recently authorized for seamen-iustructors, the schoolmaster and myself had to carry on the entire duties of the school, which not only entailed a very harassing increase of work, but materially interfered with the efficient conduct of the school. During this period several married men applied for employment, but, on finding that they could not bring their families with them, declined to join. I referred in my last report to the establishment of a penal school, and my subsequent experience has confirmed me in the opinion that great advantage would accrue from the existence of such an institution. I would also recommend that a space should be housed in for the boys to play in in wet weather and in the evenings—at present the schoolroom, lumbered as it is with desks and forms, is the only place they have to go to; also that a closet should be attached to the dormitory for night use, the system at present in force of using buckets in the building being very objectionable on sanitary grounds. In conclusion, I have great pleasure in testifying to the energy of the existing staff, and to the ready co-operation I receive from them at all times. I have, &c, G. R. Breton, The Officer in Charge, Marine Department. Manager.

A. —TABLE showing the Educational State of Boys.

B. —TABLE showing the Visits of Clergy men for Divine Service and Religious Instruction during the Year ending 30th June, 1878.

Head. Write. Oipl ler. Particulars. Remaining on 30th June, 1877... .dmitted during year ending 30th June, 1878 ... Total ... Well. 22 10 32 Indifferently. 55 12 67 Not. Total. Well. Indiffer- Hot . Total ently. 2 79 I 18 55 6 79 7 29 3 17 9 29 9 108 21 I 72 15 108 1 37 25 11 1 I 37 2 ' 71 33 3L 7 71 3 108 58 42 i 8 108 Well. 10 7 17 Indifferently. 88 8 74 Not. 3 14 17 Total. 79 29 108 liseliarged during year ending 30th June, 1878 ... lemaimng on 30th June, 1878... 14 42 22 27 11 9 19 53 7 4 37 71 Total ... GG 49 20 77 11 103

Roman Catholic. Church of England. 28 18