13

E.—6a,

3. Extract from a Report of the Inspector-General of Schools. Thames Oephanage.—This is an exceedingly comfortable home for children, very well managed both by the directorate and by the resident officers. It might be improved by having a separate room for day-school purposes, instead of using the dining-room for them ; but I do not regard this as urgent. 30th May, 1881. * Wm. Jas. Habens.

No. 7. St. Joseph's Pboyidence Oephanaqe, "Wellington. Report of the Inspector-General of Schools. The Hon. the Minister of Education. I visited this institution nearly two years ago, when several half-caste children were being maintained there at the cost of the Government. In February last, when only one half-caste child remained there, Mr. Pope paid a visit of inspection. On both occasions the reports were favourable. Having learned last month that some European children at St. Joseph's are paid for by the Government, I have this day made another inspection. I went through the day-rooms, dormitories, kitchen, &c, and saw the children at dinner. They appear to be cheerful, healthy, and well cared for. I spent some hours in the school-room, and specially examined one girl who is doing Fourth Standard work, four that are preparing for the Third Standard, and four preparing for the Second. One girl is engaged in domestic work, at her mother's request; she receives private lessons in the evenings. This school is well managed and well taught. 1 have every reason to be satisfied with the general arrangements made in the institution for the children's welfare. Education Department, "Wellington, 28th July, 1881. Wk, Jas. Habens.

No. 8. St. Maey's Oephanages, Nelson. 1. Regulations {approved by Government).* No child to be admitted or discharged without the sanction of the Resident Magistrate of the district. 2. The Resident Magistrate to have power to order any child to be discharged, or handed over to relatives willing to maintain it. 3. All Magistrates to have the right to visit and inspect the institutions at any time.

2. Report oy the Rev. Father Garin. The St. Mary's Orphanages were established in 1872. Before that time all children were sent to Motueka; but I represented to the Superintendent, Mr. Curtis, that it was impossible to carry out the requirements of the law as to educating those destitute Catholic orphans in the religion of their deceased parents, as the orphanage was so far away, and as there was no one at Motueka to give them the necessary instruction. Mr. Curtis then requested me to take all the Catholic children, upon the same terms as Mr. Wallis had them —namely, one shilling per diem for each child. 1 agreed to this, and arrangements were made with the Sisters to take the girls. Their report is sent herewith as a separate statement. I bought first for the boys a cottage of four rooms, opposite my own house, at a cost of £300. I speedily had to find more room, and ] built an addition, at a cost of £227 18s. Last year I expended in repairs, improvements, and extra bedding and furniture, £58, which sum, with other previous expenditure, amounted altogether to £684 3s. 9d. There is an acre of recreation ground for the orphans. There are altogether eight rooms in the boys' orphanage, but they are small; and I regard the whole buildings as temporary, which will make way soon for more commodious buildings. I had to find a place for these boys out of my own pocket: the Government gave me nothing. Only Is. per day has been allowed to cover the cost of board, lodging, clothing, and education. I selected a respectable and experienced matron to take charge of the establishment, and she is assisted by her two daughters. I allow her 7s. a week for each child; and, from contributions by my congregation and friends, 1 give her assistance to clothe the boys. Any little comforts that may be wanted I also supply. This arrangement is purely temporary. As the orphans are daily under my eye, I can bear testimony to their being well fed and kindly cared for. My intention, when the numbers warrant it, is to have a proper building, which will be placed in the charge of Christian Brothers, who are specially trained for taking charge of such institutions, and who would have such assistance in the way of matrons as they might think necessary. Children are admitted at any age, but cannot stop after they reach fourteen. Some forward boys have been sent to situations at thirteen. The Resident Magistrate makes orders for the admission and discharge of orphans. Children not maintained by Government are admitted by private arrangement. They attend St. Mary's Boys' School daily. They have three meals a day; at dinner there is a plentiful supply of meat, vegetables, and pudding. They are not dieted after a regular scale, but are treated as members of a private family. These boys are taught the same as scholars attending the public schools. If they display particular ability, they are encouraged. For instance, at the last Christmas distribution of prizes, the Euclid prize was carried off by Adams, one of the Government orphans. It is the same with the girls ; whenever there is special ability it is noticed and encouraged. I do not think either the orphan boys or girls are looked down upon by the ordinary school children. It is one of the objects of the daily life to teach them kindness one to another —that they are members of one family; and so far as I have seen, there has been nothing to lead me to think the means adopted to this end have not been successful.

* These regulations are also applicable to Motueka Orphanage.