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rrr>^ ne sanitary con dition of the rooms and outhouses is satisfactory ; and the moral and physical improvement in the children, noticeable after a short stay in the Home, is evidence of the care and sympathetic discipline bestowed upon them. I have, &c, W. A. Chapple, M.D. The Secretary ior Education, Wellington.

Blß __ Wellington, 11th April, 1904. I hereby certify that I have this day made a careful and thorough inspection of St. Joseph's Industrial School, Wellington. The inmates are in the best of health. I found all the apartments thoroughly clean and the sanitation quite up to date. I vaccinated all the inmates in February, 1904, most of them being primary vaccinations, and they were all successful. P. Mackin, M.D., F.R.C.S., Ed., The Secretary for Education, Wellington. Medical Officer.

Nelson. g IR _ Nelson, April, 1904. During the past year the management of the Boys' Industrial School at Stoke has been severely strained owing to the main building having been destroyed by fire. However, the staff in charge proved themselves equal to the occasion, and have successfully carried on the working of the institution. Temporary dormitories have been arranged by putting bunks round the building that was used for a museum. The boys dine in another building, and the staff are provided for in various cottages. The average number of inmates is from eighty to ninety, and, as a general rule, their health is very good. The boys are well fed, have meat or fish every day, and are warmly clad ; they have cotton shirtsMuring the summer, and an under-flannel in addition during the winter. There has been no epidemic disease during the year. There have been three deaths during the year—Bernard Thurston, 17th August, from pneumonia ; Daniel O'Halloran, 16th October, from tubercular meningitis ; Horatio Weston, sth March, from rheumatic fever and pneumonia. The water-supply is abundant and good. The drainage is good. The latrines are always kept clean, with plenty of running water. I consider the institution to be very satisfactorily conducted. I have, &c, Jas. Hudson, M.B. (Lond.), The Secretary for Education, Wellington. Medical Officer.

g IR _ Nelson, April, 1904. During the past year there has been an average attendance of fifty to sixty girls, and about thirty little boys and babies at St. Mary's Industrial School, Nelson. The dormitories are clean and well ventilated. I inspect the water-closets every month, and almost invariably find them in good working-order and always clean. The wash-houses are somewhat primitive, but I believe they are to be rebuilt. The children have had full average health. During the year there have been a few cases of scarlet fever, which happily did not spread—none fatal; nine measles cases—none fatal; and numerous cases of mumps, for the most part very slight—none required special medical attendance. Two deaths have occurred during the year—William Dix, aged three months, from marasmus ; Jane James, aged fourteen years, from acute meningitis. The staff of Sisters, &c, are devoted in their attention to the children, and, as far as I can ascertain, are beloved by them. I consider the institution very satisfactorily conducted. I have, &c, Jas. Hudson, M.B. (Lond.), The Secretary for Education, Wellington. Medical Officer.

Canterbury. g IR Christchurch, Bth June, 1904. I have the honour to report that the health of the inmates of Te Oranga Home has been very good during the last year. . The large building recently erected was occupied in October, 1903, and is proving very suitable. There are at present thirty-seven girls in the Home, of whom twenty were admitted during the year ending the 31st March, 1904, and nine ceased to be under the control of the school—eight having reached twenty-one years of age, and one being transferred to another school. These have been much improved, both mentally and physically, and are now in good situations. There has been only one absconder, and she returned to the Home of her own accord. The girls are taken to church once every Sunday. There is only room in the church for fourteen, so that they have to take turns to go there. The Roman Catholic girls go to their own church once or twice a month. The Diocesan Chaplain, Mr. Smaill, visits the Home twice a week—once to hold a Bible class, and every Sunday evening to conduct a service. A Roman Catholic priest visits periodic-