H.—lo

11

I desire to again bring under notice the desirability of erecting cottages, to enable the instructors to have their families resident at the school. It would, I believe, be the means of obviating the frequent changes which have hitherto occurred, and also very much reduce the frequent and very natural desire for leave to go to Auckland to visit their families, which at present exists, and with which, to retain men, lam obliged to comply. In the event of cottages being erected, Ido not think it would be advisable to continue tho present arrangement of victualling the instructors, but would suggest that in all future contracts for the supply of provisions it should bo provided that the instructors should, if they desired it, be supplied by the contractor at contract rates. I would also recommend that the rates of pay should be increased. The men have to provide their own uniform, which entails considerable expense, and, although the work is not hard, it is very trying, and the hours very long—never less than fifteen hours a day on duty, and at times (as in the case of illness amongst the boys) night work as well. The frequent change of instructors not only entails a very large amount of extra work and worry on myself, but is anything but couducive to discipline and the efficient conduct of the school. The establishment of a penal school is a matter which I feel it my duty to again bring under consideration, as I am satisfied that tho full benefit which should result from the proper working of the existing institutions will not be obtained until this is done. The want of classification is not only very detrimental to the boys whilst in the school, but, iv many instances, is made a strong ground of objection to taking them as apprentices. A place for the boys to play in during wet weather, and at night, is a great want. The schoolroom is too small, and, in addition, it is impossible for those who are studiously inclined (and we are not without them) to do anything in the way of improving their minds with a general game of romps going on around them. I desire to record my thanks to those friends who have subscribed towards a fund for the amusement of the boys, especially to Dr. Goldsbro' for the trouble ho has taken in collecting for this object, and to Henry Brett, Esq., the lato Mayor of Auckland, who in October last, for the second time, gave the whole school tickets of admission to a circus. I have, &c., The Secretary, Marine Department. G. E. Breton, Manager.

A.—TABLE showing the Educational State of Boys.

B. —RETURN of Articles Manufactured and Work Done in the School during the Tear ending 30th June, 1879, with estimated Cost of Labour employed.

Read. Write. Cii)] ior, Particulars. Well. tndiffer- „ . ently. otTotal. Well. Indifferently. Not. Total. Well. Indifferentl}-. Not. Total. Remaining on 30th June, 1878 ... .dmitted during year ending 30th June, 1879 ... 41 27 2 70 32 31 7 70 8 58 4 70 5 14 9 23 4 15 9 28 3 10 15 28 Total 46 41 11 98 36 46 16 98 11 68 98 19 'ischarged during year ending 30th June, 1879 "... Remaining on 30th June, 1879 ... 22 30 12 34 34 61 21 33 13 31 34 64 11 17 23 47 34 64 Total 52 46 98 54 41 98 28 70 98 ...

Articles. Quantity. Katc. Price. Articles. Quantity. Rate. Price. :rousers, serge „ duck ,, oilskin Crocks, serge umpers, duck ,, oilskin .lannel shirts ilattress covers _llow covers Neckerchiefs Japs, serge „ duck "owels iouthwesters 'illow-cases Sheets Repairs to boat's sails raying new floor iu and repairing gaol ... )rnamental fencing erected ... _ew washing-up table for kitchen ... iepairs to closets 131 113 60 129 95 60 129 63 64 48 135 122 125 48 2 2 2 s. d. 1 10 1 0 1 0 1 S| 1 0 1 0 0 7 0 6 0 li 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 3 o li 0 6 £ s. d. 12 0 2 5 13 0 3 0 0 9 8 li 4 15 0 3 0 0 3 15 3 1 11 6 0 8 0 0 8 0 6 15 6 6 2 0 0 10 5 3 0 0 0 0 3 0 10 0 4 0 Amount brought forward... Table for hospital ... Lanterns glazedRepairs to boats Paling fences Repairs lo wheelbarrow Making hoe, rake, and broom handles ... Fitting posts for clothes-lines ... Building pigsty New shelves in larder Locker for fifes and drums Repairs to coal-shed... Bunk and locker in staff-room Oars and boat-hooks fitted and repaired... Painting boats Fitting and painting room for sewing instructress Painting hospital Windows glazed Buckets made Model brigantine made i 6 s. d. o'"o £ s. d. 66 1 8i 0 5 0 0 3 0 1 10 0 0 10 0 0 1 G 0 7 0 10 0 2 0 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 36 0 6 0 18 0 2 0 0 ... 80 feet 2 15 0 1 10 0 50 5 0 3 4 0 0 15 0 10 0 0 12 6 10 0 5 0 0 1 0 5 0 10 0 Amount carried forward ... 66 1 8i Total i 84 13 it