E.—3

4

Numbers of 1895 and 1896 compared.

No. 3. De. Puechas's Eepoet on the Auckland Disteict. Sib,— Auckland, 6th April, 1897. My annual report of the health of the children of the Auckland Industrial School continues to be favourable. We have had no epidemic sickness, and nothing very serious with the exception of one case. One of the elder girls who had earned a good character at service was attacked by a malignant form of cancer, which, after some months of suffering, and in spite of all that could be done for her, caused her death. As I have already fully reported her case to you I need not refer to it at length. The girl whose case I reported on last year, who had so long been a cripple from hip-disease, is now in excellent health and able to walk well without artificial support. There is another case in the school of a cripple from injury to the hip, for whom I hope to be able in due time to report an equally favourable result. The boarded-out children as well as those in the school are, I believe, all well cared for, and most of them likely to prove useful members of our young nation. I have, &c, Aethue G. Puechas, The Secretary for Education. Medical Officer, Auckland Industrial School.

No. 4. Dr. Buens's Eepoet on the Caveksham School. Sib,— Dunedin, May, 1897. I have the honour to report favourably regarding the sanitary condition of the Look-out Point Industrial School. The average numbers have been seventy-seven. There has been no serious illness, and the general health excellent. It is exceptional to have any deaths amongst the boarded-out children who are under my care in the Dunedin district. This year two have to be recorded. Ellen D , aged twelve years and four months, was early recognised as suffering from tubercular meningitis. Availing myself of the privilege you accord me, I called in a consulting physician a week before her death. It is my duty to say that her foster-mother could not have shown more sympathetic attention to a child of her own. Ada E. M , boarded out in Waikouaiti, died suddenly, and the cause of death was found to be embolism of the heart. I need not say that, considering the dilapidated condition of the buildings, it reflects great credit on the management that I can speak so well of the general healthiness of the school. I have, &c, Eobbbt Buens, F.E.C.S., Ed., The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. Medical Officer.

No. 5.

Examination Report on Burnham Industrial School.—Examined 7th September, 1896. Pass Subjects.

nrnai ;es. [ncrease or •ecrease. In the schools Boarded out, With friends At service In hospital In lunatic asylum In gaol In Blind Asylum, Auckland At Costley Institute In refuge or cognate institution Absent without leave 5G0 416 103 419 8 5 1 1 3 14 15 556 428 94 434 5 3 - 4 + 12 - 9 + 15 - 3 _ 2 - 1 1 30 8 - 3 + 16 _ rj Totals 1,545 1,559 + 14

Standard Class. Presented. Examined in Standards. Exoepted. Failed. Passed. Average Age. Yrs. moa. ibove Standard VI. Itandard VI. V. IV. ... III. ... II. I. 2 15 20 14 5 4 2 15 L9 14 5 4 1 3 1 2 4 1 2 12 12 12 5 12 9 13 2 13 8 12 10 12 7 4 0 Totals 60 69 43