9

E.—6a,

Discharged during the year — Boys. Girls. Total. To service ... ... ... ... ... 17 5 22 Parents ... ... ... ... ... 24 5 29 Convent ... ... ... ... 2 2 Absconded ... ... ... ... ... 2 ... 2 Total ... ... ... ... 43 12 55 In the Home on 31st March, 1881 ... ... ... 58 32 90 Of these there are — ■ — — — Committed by Magistrates ... ... ... ... 43 27 70 Admitted by'BelieviDg Officer ... ... ... 9 3 12 „ Executive Committee ... ... ... 6 2 8 Total ... ... ... 58 32 90 The numbers of children at service who are still under the legal control of the Home are 24 boys and 13 girls; and 4 boys and 1 girl hare been permitted to return to their parents, subject to the supervision of the police. The ages of the children now in the Home are as follows : — Boys. GKrls. Total. From two to four years ... ... ... ... 1 1 2 Prom four to six years ... ... ... ... 10 4 14 From six to eight years ... ... ... ... 10 5 15 From eight to ten years ... ... ... ... 7 5 12 From ten to twelve years ... ... ... ... ... 19 7 26 From twelve to fourteen years ... ... ... ... 7 9 16 Over fourteen years ... ... ... ... ... 4 1 5 Total ... ... ... ... 58 32 90 Finances. —The voluntary contributions have not equalled those of last year by a little more than £100, and, as no large sum has been needed for repairs, the accounts show a smail balance credit of £30; but subscriptions are much needed for the current expenditure, which exceeds the Government grant by over £30 each month. It is impossible to make an accurate estimate of the average cost of clothing, food, &c, as compared with last year, as there has been great variation in the number of children during the latter part of this period ; but the total cost of clothing has been less by over £100. The number of depositors in the savings bank is 30, and the total amount deposited is £134 2s. 2d. Health. —The health of the children has been generally good, the trip to Motuihi having helped considerably to cure the cutaneous disease, which has almost entirely disappeared. It must be confessed that, in general appearance, the children do not compare favourably with those of some other institutions, but it must be borne in mind that a number of them are of a very low type, and are often brought to the Home in a most wretched and filthy condition, and that months and even years of care can scarcely eradicate the effects of hereditary taint, and of early neglect, and lack of any wholesome training; but there is every reason to believe that, under the present management, the children will be brought up to strictly cleanly habits, and that a manifest change will soon be apparent in their physique. The warm thanks of the Committee are due to Dr. Purchas for his gratuitous and unremitting attention to the health of the inmates. Ladies' Committee. —The Ladies' Committee have had a most difficult task to perform during the past year, and great credit is due to them for maintaining their position and steadily insisting on a due observance of their instructions and suggestions. They have been indefatigable in making up the clothing of the children, having completed during the year no less than 469 different articles of wearing apparel and bedding requisites. Mrs. Neale has not slackened her usual efforts in raising funds for the institution, and has succeeded in collecting the sum of £148 7s. 6d., slightly exceeding what she raised last year, which, under the present circumstances of the Home, implies an amount of energy and persistence that is most praiseworthy. Instruction. —The day-school has been continued under the auspices of the Board of Education, and the children attending it are thoroughly well taught by Miss Barton and her assistants. The Sunday-school has also been in operation throughout the year, except during the absence of the children at Motuihi. The only industrial training the children have received has been in necessary household work, with some instruction in shoemaking to the elder boys. In conclusion, the Committee express their cordial thanks to all those friends of the Home who hare assisted them with their contributions, and especially to those who have given their countenance and support during the difficulties that have been encountered; also to the directors of the Union Steam Shipping Company, for a most pleasant picnic to Motutapu. Nothing could exceed the kindness and attention of Captain Carey and the officers of the splendid vessel "Te Anau," to the comfort and amusement of the children; the only regret was that their old friend Captain Logan could not be present at the pleasure party.

Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st March, 1881. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s . (J. To Balance from last year ... ... 181 6 1 By Food ... ... ... ... 740 4 1 Amount receired from G-eneral Government 1,246 5 8 Clothing, boots, &c. ... ... ... 272 3 4 Voluntary subscriptions and donations ... 293 14 6 Coals, firewood, gas, and water ... ... 128 15 11 Boys in Home ... ... ... 28 9 0 Salaries and wages ... ... ... 279 4, 8 Proceeds of tank, &c. ... ... ... 818 3 Repairs to building ... ... ... 174 0 5 Sundries, including expenses to Motuihi ... 137 6 6 Balance in Bank of Australasia... ... 26 18 7 £1,758 13 6 ■ £1,758~13~~6~ Auckland, 12th May, 1881. A. Stewabt, Hon. Treasurer. Examined and found correct —ThoS. MaoeeAEIANB, Deputy-Auditor.

2—E. 6a.