7

E.—3c

The monotony of school life has been frequently interrupted by special fete days and other treats kindly given by charitable visitors. Fifty-seven service homes have been provided. The number of applicants for servants far exceeded the number of girls eligible. This in itself is sufficient proof to the outside public that housekeepers value the efforts made by the nuns to fit their charges to battle with the future and to earn a respectable livelihood. I beg, in conclusion, to offer sincere thanks to all the children's kind benefactors who, at different times, have afforded them pleasure. Maky V. Kennedy, Provincial Superioress.

Girls' Training Institute. I have the honour to submit my report for the year 1896. It has again been very satisfactory. The girls have enjoyed good health, and their conduct and manners have greatly improved. I feel very grateful to the kind friends who have helped me and to those who have contributed to the happiness of the girls. Owing to the continual depression, suitable situations have been difficult to obtain. Emma Banner.

Oakleigh Eeformatory School. I have the honour to submit, for your information, a report of the transactions of this institution for the year 1896. The health of the girls has been excellent. Their conduct, for the most part, has been good. Satisfactory reports of nearly all those at service have been received. As far as possible, regular correspondence has been kept up with the children after their removal from the school to service or otherwise. His Excellency the Governor and Lady Brassey, Mrs. Freeman Thomas, and Lord Nevill visited the schools, and had much pleasure in hearing the children recite a welcome for them, also going through the " Alphabetical March." They expressed their great pleasure in noticing their colours, brown and white, in the decorations. When leaving, they promised to pay another visit. We are indebted to some kind friends for increasing the happiness of the inmates by giving them a " magic lantern " concert, &c, during the year. Mary A. O'Shea.

The following is a report of the visiting committee:— We have this day made our annual inspection. As in the past, we have to report that the greatest cleanliness and order prevails throughout the institution, and that the children appear to be extremely happy and contented. Again we are informed that no sickness worth mentioning has taken place during the last twelve months. James Hogan. M. Monane. Edward O'Donnell. N. O'Callaghan.

Ebport of Giels' Beformatory School, Brookside, for 1896. I have again to report a very quiet year, though we had a few changes. We began 1896 with an absconding wave. I think there was probably a disturbing element in the holiday-keeping which made the settling down to steady work appear tiresome. Two girls who absconded first were sheltered by a family within fifteen miles of Brookside. The police prosecuted, and the householder was fined. We consider this action has had a good effect, for in subsequent cases we have soon received information which led to the speedy return of the runaways. The absconder mentioned later as still at large, went from her situation. We lost one by death in May, the fourth since the beginning of the work in 1887. Two girls came home to prepare for their marriage during the year. They had both been in country situations, and are now the mistresses of comfortable farm homes; notwithstanding the extra excitement of their presence in the cottages for a time, we felt they were an excellent objectlesson for the others. It was very pleasant to see how they confided in Mrs. Downing as to their purchases and preparations generally. Both brought excellent characters with them from employers they had served for some time. We had to part during the year from our medical officer, Dr. Hilliard Johnson. The girls and the staff parted very sadly from him on his last visit, and wished him all success in his new field. He left us a worthy successor in Dr. Eaymond Fox, who is most attentive to any of the cases brought before him. The health of the girls has been exceptionally good. There has been no infectious disease in the cottages during the year. The Eev. E. Whyte, of Eokewood, whose ministrations the girls attend on Sunday morning, at Cape Clear, has visited as usual. On several occasions he brought a magic lantern, and gave them a very pleasant evening. The Eev. Saloway (Wesleyan) has also frequently visited the Home. The girls are gathered together for a short service on all such occasions. On one of his visits he was accompanied by the Eev. Bickford, President of the Conference, and some of the sisters belonging to the Central Mission. They all professed themselves pleased with the behaviour and appearance of the girls and with their surroundings. Mr. Bird has also continued his kind interest as in other years,