E.—l

72

The following tables show the numbers dealt with during the past year, together with particulars regarding expenditure :— Special School for Boys, Otekaike. Numbers as at 31st December, 1917 : — I n residence .. .. .. .. .. . . .. 76 Boarded out .. .. .. .. .. . . . . . . 1 Temporarily absent with friends .. . . . . . . .. . . 2 79 Particulars of expenditure for the financial year ended 3.lst March, 1918 : — £ £ Salaries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,403 General maintenance .. ... .. .. .. .. 4,127 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. 345 Maintenance of buildings, furnishings, &c. .. .. .. 368 Additional buildings, furniture, &c. .. .. .. .. 1,636 9,879 Less — Parental contributions towards maintenance .. .. 1,130 Amount collected from Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards 1,186 Sundry other recoveries .. .. .. .. 319 2,635 Net expenditure .. .. .. .. £7,244 Included in the above figures, the sum of £1,636 was expended on additional buildings, furniture and equipment for new cottages, and in. completing new works already in hand at the enei of the previous year. By the addition of three cottage homes accommodation for a further ninety boys was provided. During the year a great many new cases were admitted on trial, but in some instances it was found after observation that the boys were of a very low grade mentally and quite incapable of improvement under the teaching at Otekaike. These cases are being gradually drafted out and provided for elsewhere, either by admission to a mental hospital or by returning to the care of parents or guardians. The Special School at Otekaike was established some eleven years ago. During this time a sum amounting to £41,000 has been expended by the Department in erecting buildings and providing adequate lighting, water, and drainage schemes. Special School for Girls, Richmond. Numbers as at 31st December, 1917 : — In the school .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 21 On vacation .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 24 lit hospital .. . . .. . . . . .. .. .. 1 Boarded out .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 At service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 50 Particulars erf expenditure for the financial year ending 31st March, 1918 : — £ £ Salaries . . .. . . .. . . .. .. 1,067 General maintenance .. .. .. .. .. .. .1,672 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. 195 Buildings, furniture, &,<-,. .. .. .. .. .. 821 Maintenance of buildings, furnishings, &c. .. .. .. 115 3,870 Less — Parental contributions towards maintenance .. .. 667 Amount collected from Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards.. 541. Sundry other recoveries .. .. .. .. 85 — 1,293 Net expenditure .. .. .. .. £2,577