E.—3

8

The conduct of the boys has appeared to me better than previously. If about a dozen of the incorrigible type could be sent to a training-ship there would be more hope of improving them, and their removal would be a vast benefit to the rest of the school. The two cottage homes, in each of which six of the best boys live under the care of a married couple, have proved very useful ; but more of these cottages are wanted, both for the boys and for the attendants. Burnham is such an uncomfortable place to live at, on account of the absence of all society and recreation, that the only means of inducing good men to remain there as attendants is to give them cottages in which they can live with their families. If double cottages were provided it would obviate the risk of the wives being left alone. The Burnham boys are generally smart and clever, and receive good school and technical education ; but what they are most deficient in is truthfulness, honesty, and moral qualities. I think this deficiency would be best supplied by the constant influence of attendants, preferably married, with special aptitude for the work, and devoted to the improvement of the boys. There should be no more difficulty in getting the work done by married attendants at Burnham than at Sunnyside. I am very pleased to note that a good gymnasium is being erected, with separate* ? divisions for each of the three classes of boys. About forty of the boys have each their own garden-plot, and appear to take great interest in them. The school garden is an admirable picture, including 7 acres of vegetables, 5 acres of orchard, and \ acre of nursery for propagating young trees. Over 10 tons of vegetables have been sent to various charitable institutions during the year, and 5,000 trees have been planted on the farm. A good-mark system was introduced some years ago by which boys earn from Id. to Is. a week for good conduct, and this has produced a good effect on the discipline. The boys enjoyed their month's holiday on Quail Island. Mr. Garrard instructed twelve boats' crews of four each in regular boat-drill. The camp was conducted on military lines ; Major Sandford was executive officer and drilled the boys. All the boys are taught swimming, and over 75 per cent, of them can swim. I have, &c, W. H. Symes, M.D., B.Sc, The Secretary for Education, Wellington. Medical Officer.

OTAGO. Government School, Caversham. Sir,— Dunedin, 31st March, 1906. I have the honour to furnish you with my usual annual report on the state of matters affecting the health and the general sanitary condition of the Caversham Industrial School. The proposed alterations in regard to the school—more especially the removal of the boys to Weraroa and the conversion of the school into a training-school for girls exclusively —was naturally a matter of anxiety. The change was effected on 31st October last, and under the management of Miss Stewart, Acting-Manager, has resulted in a complete success. The characters of the twenty-seven girls who are in residence at this date admit of being studied individually and their faults corrected as required. The general tone is commendable. I would reiterate that the experimental stage is past, and the authorities can be congratulated on the success of the alteration. With regard to the sanitary condition of the school, I know that the Government Board of Works is anxiously urging on the Dunedin Drainage Board the connection of their extended sewer with a drainpipe from the school. This step would obviate a deal of unpleasant work which exists at present. I have, &c, Robert Burns, F.R.C.S.E., The Secretary for Education, Wellington. Medical Officer.

St. Vincent de Paul's (Roman Catholic) Girls' School, Dunedin. Sir,— Dunedin, 12th May, 1906. I have the honour to submit the annual medical report of the Industrial School of St. Vincent de Paul, South Dunedin, for the year ending the 31st March, 1906. With the exception of a few minor ailments the health of the inmates has been particularly good, no deaths having occurred and no infectious disease shown itself during the year. Clean, judiciously fed, and properly clothed, the children are happy and show every sign of the careful attention of the sisters. The hygienic and sanitary arrangementsffpf the institution are in a very satisfactory condition. I have, &c, Eugene J. O'Neill, M.8., F.R.C.S.E., The Secretary for Education, Wellington. Medical Officer. .

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