E.—l

Since the end of the financial year substantial additional savings, amounting to approximately £3,500, have been effected by the further reduction of the numbers in residence at two of the industrial schools. Number of Children belonging to Industrial Schools. The total roll number of children belonging to industrial schools and receivinghomes at the 31st December, 1917, was 3,252. Of these, 1,934 were boys and 1,318 girls. The children are classified as follows : —- In residence — In Government industrial schools .. .. .. .. 365 I n private industrial schools .. .. .. .. .. 334 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 699 Boarded out — From Government schools (including receiving-homes) .. .. 1,210 * From private industrial schools .. .. .. . . .. 9 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,219 Placed out in situations .. .. .. .. .. .. 646 With friends on probation .. .. .. .. .. .. 390 In private institutions, hospitals, absent without leave, in prison, &c. .. 298 Grand total .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,252 Expenditure on Industrial Schools and Probation System. The net expenditure for the last financial year, including expenditure under the probation system but exclusive of capital charges for additional buildings, works, &c, was £42,580, showing an increase of £1,276 on that of the preceding year. The number maintained at the end of the year was 2,054. It should, be mentioned, however, that the increase during the year of the rate of payment for boarded-out children from Bs. to 10s. a week, necessitated by the increased cost of living, involved an expenditure of £5,000 in excess of the previous year's figures. The contributions from parents under orders of Court, agreements, &c, amounted to £14,359, being at the rate of £7 per head of those maintained. This is an increase of £2 7s. per heaei over the rate of the preceding year. The following figures show the expenditure in connection with Government anel private industrial schools during the year: — Expenditure on Government Industrial Schools, 1917 18. £ Salaries 15,687 General maintenance .. .. .. .. .. .. 24,483 Travelling-expenses . . . . .. . . .. .. 1,752 Furnishings, repairs to buildings, small works . . . . .. 2,250 New buildings and works .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,999 Payments to foster-parents .. ~ .. .. .. .. 28,796 Cross cost .. ... .. .. .. .. 75.967 Recoveries from parents and others ... .. .. .. £25,266 Sales, &c. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,603 26,869 Earnings of past inmates paid to Public, Account .. .. 5,934 32,803 Net cost of institutions .. .. .. .. .. 43,164 Salaries, _c, of visiting and probation officers and sundries .. .. 2,415 £45,579 Expenditure on Piuvate Industrial Schools. Gross cost .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,976 Recoveries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,835 Net cost .. '.. .. .. .. .. £1,141

9—E. 2.

65