5

E.—B

(9 boys and 4 girls) are with their friends, 47 (37 boys and 10 girls) are at service, 1 girl is in hospital, and 2 boys and 1 girl are absent without leave. The increases and decreases in the numbers of children of each condition are as follows:—

Numbers of 1886 and 1887 compared.

Education Department, Wellington, 31st March, 1888. Wi. Jas. Habbns.

No. 3. Dr. Pukchas's Eepoet on the Kohimaeama School. Sib,— Pitt Street, Auckland, 18th February, 1888. I have to report that on my last inspection of the boys at Kohimarama Industrial School on the 30th December, 1887, I found fifty-four present, all of whom, with the exception of two, were in good health-. Thomas W is a hopeless epileptic, and of very feeble intellect, and Walter E was in hospital with a rather bad attack of itch. Since my visit I have been glad to find that W has been removed to the care of a respectable couple at Onehunga, which, I believe, is the best that can be done for him at present. I found everything about the premises in good order, and the boys appeared to be rather more cheerful than usual. The master informed me that he had received a considerable sum in donations towards the purchase of a steam-launch for the school; and I certainly think that it would be a great convenience and probably a saving of expense if the Government were to authorise the purchase of a suitable boat. The present time is very favourable, as I know that the cost would be much less than at any previous time. I have, &c, The Secretary, Education Department, A. G. Pubchas, M.E.C.S. Eng., Wellington. Medical Officer.

No. 4. Dr. Pbins's Eepoet on Bubnham School. Sib, — Christchurch, April, 1888. I have the honour to submit the following report on the Burnham Industrial School, The following is the return of the inmates : — Boys. Girls. Total. 1. In the school ... ... ... ... 73 23 96 2. At service under license ... ... ... 65 42 107 3. Boarded out under license ... ... ... 131 94 225 4. With friends under license ... ... ... 16 12 28 5. Missing or absconded ... ... ... 3 0 3 6. In Christchurch Hospital ... ... .. 1 0 1 289 171 460 During the past year the whole of the outside of the buildings has been painted. lam pleased to be able to state that every care is taken to keep the school in a thoroughly cleanly and orderly condition. The health of the inmates has been good, only a few having required treatment for some trifling ailments. Appended is a list of those treated at the Christchurch Hospital and under fosterparents. During the year a very necessary shed to the swimming baths has been erected, and the outbuildings required for the proper housing of the milch cows during the winter months have been completed. Satisfactory progress has been made in planting the orchard, which now contains 530 thriving fruit-trees. A new set of brass instruments for the band has been imported from the best makers in England. This has given great satisfaction and fresh impetus to the little bandsmen, who, lam happy to say, take a great deal of interest in their musical studies, and assist materially in giving pleasure and amusement to the inmates of the institution. 2—E. 3.

Inmates. 1886. 1887. Increase or Decrease. [n. the schools Boarded out .. iVith friends .. \.t service [n hospital [n lunatic asylum \.t Gostley Institute, on probation in refuge [n gaol Absent ■without leave 583 546 165 283 2 2 1 595 563 85 253 3 3 + 12 + 17 - 80 - 30 + 1 + 1 -^ + 1 + 1 - 8 1 1 19 27 Totals 1,609 1,523 - 86