E.—4

16

B. Epikftics. With regard to epileptics, the Commissioners are of opinion that " the relation between epilepsy and mental defect is so close that it is not possible to make provision for sane epilepsy separately and under a separate authority." C. " Heredity " and Mental Deject. The Commissioners sum up the general effect of the evidence as to the relationship between " heredity " and mental defect as follows : — (1.) That, both on the grounds of fact and of theory, there is the highest degree of probability that " feeblemindedness " is usually spontaneous in origin—that is, not due to influences acting on the parent—and tends strongly to be inherited. (2.) That, especially in view of the evidence concerning fertility, the prevention of mentally defective persons from becoming parents would tend largely to.diminish the numbers of such persons in the population. (3.) That the evidence for these conclusions strongly supports measures, which on no other grounds are of pressing importance, for placing mentally defective persons, men and women, who are living at large and uncontrolled, in institutions where they will be employed and detained, and in this and in other ways kept under effectual supervision as long as may be necessary. I have, &c, The Secretary for Education, Wellington. George Benstead, Principal.

INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS. Additional Statistics. Number on the books of all the industrial schools at 31st December, 1908 .. .. .. 2,263 Increase on number for the preceding year .. .. .. .. .. ..112 On books of Government industrial schools at 31st December, 1908 .. .. .. 1,709 Increase on number for the preceding year .. .. .. .. .. .. 77 On books of private (Roman Catholic) industrial schools at 31st December, 1908 . . .. 554 Increase on number for the preceding year .. .. .. .. .. .. 35 The following table shows the status of all the inmates at the close of the year : —

TABLE H4.—Inmates, 31st December, 1908.

Govern: i U'lit Schools. Prival ;eSc els. ai: Schoe >ln. Inmates. « g. p « « ' B. G. B. B. G. t£ . a « IT" a .s.-| Sal w o £ OhH.2 5 CO * - ■ ec c 5 J f | B. G. G. to V. § s; ° ■"' J to 1 a s b. a. B. B. G. o I o 6 o a \ G. p C. G. In the schools .. Boarded out With friends At service Training-ship In hospitals, convalescent homes, etc. In mental hospitals At Costley Training Institution At School for the Deaf At Special School for Mentally Backward Boys Under control of refuges or cognate institutions Under control of orphanage, cottage home, &c. In gaol Absent without leaye, or whereabouts unknown 44 8 7 88 B8 5 22 159 9 35 59 3 153 16 20 3 122 11 8 51 15 l 103 8 31 1 7 86 10 26 124 3 29 52 3 98 8 1!) 88 68 21 4(1 66 5 12 59 1 28 87 •t in 124 14 42 12 *5 19 II 7 9 5 480 410 123 242 1 5 312 321 68 179 792 731 191 421 1 7 399 644 131 283 1 3 393 87 60 138 ••» 4 i i i i i 2 2 4 '.) 2 11 1(1 1 14 1 15 15 15 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 3 12 18 6 7 l 39 5 25 6 (12 6 64 6 48 16 1 ':') l i l io a 1,558 705 Totals 7(1 10:1 286 194 150 82 149 180 243 182 1164 85 89 57 192 06 65 1,357 906 2,263