E.—3a;

1900. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: THE COSTLEY TRAINING INSTITUTION. ("THE COSTLEY TRAINING INSTITUTION ACT, 1885.") [In continuation of E.-3a, 1899.]

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

The annual meeting of friends of the Costley Training Institution was held at the Institute, Eichmond Eoad, Auckland, on Wednesday evening, 28th February, 1900. The secretary read the following annual report:— It gives the trustees of this institution much pleasure again to meet the public and render an account of their stewardship for another year. The origin and design of the institution, as well as its constitution, are, we think, too well known to require explanation. The late Mr. Edward Costley, whose benevolent donation practically gave life to the concern, is ever held in grateful remembrance; nor is the name of the late Mrs. Bebecca Hodge, who bequeathed a substantial addition to our funds, likely to be forgotten. The trustees have nothing of special interest to report. The institution, under the capable domestic management of Mr. and Mrs. Hendre, maintains its good name, and we are proud to believe that the moneys placed in our hands are being faithfully and beneficially administered. Many of the lads who have been inmates are now doing well, some married and comfortably settled in life, some master tradesmen, others journeymen in regular work. Our whole aim and design is to turn out young men and women of unblemished character, and with some trade or business at their fingers' ends, and so far we have been eminently successful. It goes without saying that in a few cases our work and labour of love have to all appearance been wasted; but who knows ? We have cast the bread upon the waters, and it may be found, though after many days. Of our inmates, a number of the younger ones attend day-school; others of maturer years are apprenticed to tradesmen in the city; others again are away in the country learning farming. Whilst we do not approve of or allow idle hands, we take care that no lad is placed out until he has had a fair education. Eelaxation is afforded and muscle strengthened in various methods according to the season of the year. At the display in the gymnasium this evening you have seen what the lads can do, thanks to the training of Professor Carrollo. Our voyage during the year has not been at all times a fair-weather one. Now and again the smooth surface has been ruffled, but not seriously, and when our large family and the diversity of character of its members is taken into account, we must congratulate the manager and his wife on the quiet methodical manner in which the year's work has progressed. In addition to the trades acquired outside by the apprentices and others, we still maintain and keep efficient the carpenters' and blacksmiths' shops on the premises, under the management and direction of a competent tradesman. To have the institution carried on in such a manner that every inmate may treat it as his home, and when looking back in the years to come associate his residence here with none but pleasant memories, is the earnest effort and desire of the trustees. Due regard is paid to the religious instruction of those in our charge. On the morning of each Sunday the manager attends church with them, and in the afternoon they attend Sunday-school. Our cordial thanks are again tendered Dr. Knight for his continued gratuitous and ungrudged attention, and also to Mr. Carter, dentist, for services rendered on very many occasions. We sincerely hope—-and we feel that in this you are all in sympathy with vs —that the career of this institution during the year upon which we have entered may, by the blessing of God, be equally successful and prosperous with those which have preceded it. W. C. Daldy, Chairman.