E.—4.

The admissions for the year showed an increase (if M on the number for the previous year. From the four chief centres of population 242 of these children were admitted. In no case were more than 8 children sent from any of the smaller towns. The records show that of the tptal number received 33*7 per cent, were illegitimate. When children ar° before the Courts the Magistrates, after hearing evidence, direct in what religious denomination they are to be brought up. The orders made in 1908 show the denominations to be as follows: Church of England, 148; Roman Catholic, 117; Presbyterian, 43; Methodist. 17; Baptist. 5 : Salvation Army, 2 ; Lutheran, 1 ; Church of Christ, 1. The number of inmates over whom the control of the schools terminated during the year was 222. Of this number, 135 were of good character, 24 were fair, 6 bad, 4 were of weak mind, 16 were discharged under the age of fifteen years (11 of whom were legally adopted), and there were 11 deaths (8 under and 3 over fifteen years). The number of deaths (11) shows a decrease of son the number for the previous year. Four boarded-out children aged 2 years 5 months, 6 months, 1 year 4 months, and 6 weeks died, 1 of convulsions, 1 of broncho-pneumonia and enteritis 1 of tubercular meningitis, 1 of bronchitis and heartlailure. Four resident inmates aged II months, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months died, 2of bronchitis and exhaustion, 1 of and exhaustion, and 1 infant committed to a receiving home died six days after its admission of meningitis and exhaustion. One inmate aged 14 years 11 months died in hospital of pulmonary phthisis and exhaustion. 1 boy of seventeen years committed suicide at sea, and 1 girl aged lti years 11 months, residing with friends, died of consumption.

TABLE H7.—Discharges, 1908.

TABLE H8.—Inmates: Numbers of 1907 and 1908 compared.

REPORTS OF MEDICAL OFFICERS. Auckland Industrial School. Sir,— Auckland, 12th May, 1909. I have the honour to report that the health of the children at Mount Albert School has been on the whole excellent. We have had one case of severe glandular affection in one child, and she is still very ill. Otherwise, what sickness there has been has been of short duration. There has been considerable inconvenience caused to the management owing to insufficient pressure of gas ; but we hope that will soon be remedied. I have, &c, A. Challinor Purchas, M.8., CM., M.R.C.S. Eng., The Secretary for Education, Wellington, Medical Officer,

18

Cause of Discharge. Gov Boys' Rece Auckland Training He AucKiana. Farn]f Wei Weraroa. t( -ernme aiving )me, llingon. snt Si 2a => = chools. Receiving a Home, % Christ a church g B Cavorsham. ."" a A o St. afc Mary's, «.a Auckland. 5 s g* B. G. G. Private Schools. St. Mary's. Nelson. All Schools. <• . a » • s:. a .2* i oo H i. — * G. 9 5 o • ts a eI i — I I B. G. B. B. 1, G. G. B. I G. B. B. a. B. B. G. ! Warrant of discharge Death Reached age of 21 years Marriage Totals 3 4 29 6 6 2 10 2 40 8 20 111 30 141 .... 1 3 ..1 2 3 1 8 l s 1 1 9 l 3 7 2 9 19 2 44 11 63 i *8 14 4 2 2 2 2 2 3 7 7 3 7 32 9 7 6 15 11 12 50 1 21 3 6 10 30 4 2 139 83 222 9 22

At End of Year Inmates. 1907. 1908. 1907. Increase or Decrease. lHUi In the schools Boarded out With friends At service In hospitals, convalescent homes, &c. In mental hospitals School for the deaf At Special School for Mentally Backward Boys At Costley Training Institution Under control of refuges or cognate institutions Under control of orphanage, cottage home, &c. In gaol Absent without leave, or whereabouts unknown Training-ship Totals 721 695 171 420 9 8 19 19 2 6 80 1 2,151 792 731 191 421 7 11 2 1 15 13 8 6 64 1 2,263 + 71 + 36 + 20 + 1 - 2 + 3 + 2 + 1 4 - 6 + 6 - 16 2,151 2,263 + 112 " I