E.—3

4

Discharges in 1897.

Numbers of 1896 and 1897 compared.

No. 3. MEDICAL OFFICERS' REPORTS. Auckland. Sir,— Auckland, 24th April, 1898. I have the pleasure of reporting that another year has passed without a death among the children of the Auckland Industrial School under my charge. The little cripple, Jessie W , has been successfully operated on, and no longer requires crutches, but is able to walk to school without difficulty. She has free movement of the limb, but requires a raised shoe to make up for the reduced length. A little girl, returned to the school from the Bay of Islands district, suffering from long-continued lung-disease, has greatly improved in health. It is too soon as yet to speak with certainty as to the ultimate result. The drainage at the premises in Parnell is in a very unsatisfactory state, and needs immediate attention. I have reported on this matter already, and therefore need not refer to it more fully here. I have again to call attention to the difficulty experienced in dealing with girls who have been sent to the school from homes where they have been exposed to most debasing influences, and still hope that some means may be found of effectually treating such cases. I have, &c, A. G. Purchas, M.E.C.S. Eng. Medical Officer of the.Auckland Industrial School. The Secretary, Education Department, Wellington.

Otago. Sib,— Dunedin, 4th April, 1898. I have much pleasure in being able to give a satisfactory report regarding the health of the inmates of the Caversham School. It has always been our experience that it needs an epidemic in Dunedin to disturb our habitual immunity from sickness. I am happy to see that the game of cricket has taken hold of the boys, and I am sure that it has a good deal to do with the better carriage and franker disposition of the lads. It is gratifying to me to observe that a beginning has been made to the new buildings. The urgency of this step has long been harped upon in my reports, and I hope that nothing will occur to interfere with the completion of the plans as approved by yourself. For the year the health of the boarded-out children has been equally good. I have, &c., Bobert Bukns, F.E.O.S. Ed., The Secretary for Education, Wellington. Medical Officer.

Govi s-rnment Schools. Private Sc] tools. All Schools. Removed by Auckland. Burnharn. Caversham. St. Mary's, Auckland. ,»a A o II 044 St. Mary's, Nelson. B. G. B. G. B. G. G. B. G. >% O n 3 o E-. B. i G. Warrant of discharge Death Warrant of transfer to Costley Institute Attaining age of 21 Marriage 4 7 1 47 19 1 5 11 2 1 4 2 1 23 3 79 2 46 4 12! 2 1 8 6 1 7 19 .. •• 1 2 16 1 os 16 1 Totals .. .. j 6 9 47 28 4 3 | 23 4 83 67 151 .5 26 27 150

Inmates. 1896. 1897. Increase or Decrease. 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 556 428 94 434 5 3 581 396 119 439 3 3 2 1 2 22 20 + 25 - 32 + 25 + 5 - 2 + 2 1 30 8 + 2 - 8 + 12 Totals 1,559 1,588 + 29