E.—Ba

Sesb. 11.—1891. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: THE COSTLEY TRAINING INSTITUTION (REPORT OF). [In continuation of E.-3a, 1890.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

I.— Report of the Trustees. It will not be out of place to recall the fact that this institution owes its existence to the princely munificence of the late Mr. Edward Costley, although its funds have been supplemented by a bequest from a practical sympathiser, the late Mrs. Eebecca Hodge. From the balance-sheet which will be presented this evening the income and expenditure for the year will be laid before you, but from figures alone no estimate can be made of the benefit derived by the inmates of the institution. In the balance-sheet of a financial venture our eyes instinctively seek first the profit and loss item, and according to the results there shown do we congratulate ourselves or otherwise. In the Costley Training Institution the profit account is the incalculable advantages of which the inmates are the recipients. We recognise no loss account. There is none. ■During the year we have had an average of 36 inmates, the largest number on the roll being 37, the lowest 35. At present we have 35. These comprise 28 boys, of ages varying from 13 to 19, and 7 girls. All the boys, except two, are either learning a useful trade or hold situations in offices or other positions of respectability. Two are at the public school. With the exception of three, all the boys board and sleep at the institution. We are pleased to find among the lads that esprit de corps which causes them to take a pride in their institution and its inmates. The girls are all boarded out with families, the lady head of which is a responsible and experienced matron. Except for the occasional outburst, in a modified degree, of the old Adam, the discipline has been exemplary, and with little or no difficulty maintained. During the year addresses have been given to the lads at the institution by Sir William Pox and Mr. Eugster, and much appreciated. Many of the lads are musically inclined, and some of them have good voices. With a view to assisting them in cultivating their taste in this direction the services of a comptent lady teacher have been secured, and she reports most favourably of the progress made. The carpenter's shop, under the direction of a comptent tradesman, is well pacronised. Several of the lads are learning turning, and for their help two lathes are placed in the workshop. Some of the articles turned out by these lads are w Torthy of skilled workmen. The health of the boys during the year has been above the average. With the exception of "la grippe " visitation and two mild cases of scarlatina we have had no sickness. With his usual kindness, Dr. Beale has attended any cases gratuitously. To the constant care and attention of the manager, his wife and daughters, our thanks are due, under Providence, for the almost perfect immunity of the inmates from serious illness. We have had no deaths. All the boys' clothing is made in the home by the management; and when this, in addition to the ordinary domestic duties, is taken into consideration, the services rendered by the manager and his staff will be at once apparent. The evening school, every week-day (except Saturday and the music evenings), is continued, at which all attend. The Catjholic children attend the service at their own church, while those who are Protestants attend All Saints' every Sunday morning. Sunday evening is devoted to sacred music. William C. Daldy, Chairman.