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St. Joseph's Industrial School, Upper Hutt. Sir.— Upper Hutt, 26th April, 1913. I have the honour to repori on the health of the inmates of St. Joseph's Industrial School during the year 1912. During the year there were several cases of minor illness in the school, which were satisfactorily attended to by the Sister in charge. In December, mid also during January of this year, there wa« a mild epidemic of scarlet fever amongst the children in the school. All children suffering from this disease were at once sent to the Hospital, and the prompt measures carried out by the Health authorities effectually checked the spread of the disease. At the present time all the inmates of the school are iv excellent health. I have, &c, The Secretary Eor Education, Wellington. Frederick VV. Kemp, M.D.

Wellington Receiving Home. Sir,— Wellington, 22nd February, 1913. I have the honour to report thai I have visited the Receiving Home regularly during the past year, and attended the children at their Eoster-homea and tin . Receiving Home as occasion has required.. The health of the children has been very good. There has been no mortality and no .serious epidemic during the year. I understand that additions to the Home are contemplated. Thesefare much needed, and will greatly facilitate the work of the Home. I have, &c, The Secretary for Education. Wellington. Donald McG-avin, M.D.. Lond., F.R.C.B.

St. Mary's Industrial School. Nelson. Sir— Nelson, 31st March, 1913. During the year ending the 31st March, 1913, the health of the children in St. Mary's Industrial School, Nelson, has on the whole been very good. In November there was a limited epidemic of lobar pneumonia, but all those infected made a good recovery. There were no deaths during the year. Two of the older inmates should. I think, be removed from the institution. They are both feebleminded, and the first in also epileptic, and I think it undesirable for the other children to be with them. The condition of the place continues to be satisfactory, and the care bestowed upon the sick children by the Sisters is admirable. I lu'.ve, &c, The Secretary for Education. Wellington. F. C. Bett, M.8., M.R.C.S.

Boys' Industrial School, Stoke. Sir.— Stoke, 23rd January, 1913. During the year 1 have paid twelve monthly visits of inspection, and have had occasion to visit the institution at odd times. The general health has been excellent, and there have been very few accidents, and none pf a serious nature. One case of mumps was reported early in the year, but prompt isolation prevented an outbreak. Three boys were circumcized in May, as a remedy for bed-wetting : this lias been quite effectual. Ten boys had tonsils and adenoids done, and have greatly benefited. There was a little trouble with one or two boys of bad moral character, but the management took prompt measures and have, as far as can be ascertained, remedied the evil. Any serious cases of sickness have still to be sent to the Nelson Hospital. I hope that when the new houses are in use we will be able to treat the great majority on the place. The food has been excellent and sufficient in quantity. The sanitary arrangements have worked well, and the additions, now nearly completed, will be a great boon. The dormitories are clean and well ventilated, but the beds are still too close together. This is unavoidable until increased sleepingaccommodation is provided. T have taken the weights and chest measurements of all the boys under the age of sixteen years, and hope that the following figures are of some interest, being the average for each year : — \<>r. Weight. [nspiration. Expiration. lb. Tn. In. 10 .. .. .. •• ..674 24« 27 11 .. .. .. .. .. ..68 24.1 26» 12 .. .. .. .. ..68 25 27 13 .. .. .. .. .. ..78 26 28| II .. .. .. .. ..86 27 29| 15 .. .. .. .. ..93 28 30| The keen interest taken by the boys in sports during the last year or two has done much to provide a healthier condition of mind and body, and reflects great credit on their instructors. The fact of v, school of this class being able to compete with other schools, even in the athletic line, is calculated to give the boys more esprit de corps, and, above all, the knowledge that when they enter the world they will do so on equal terms with their competitors.

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