E.—4

8

died, being 0-88 per cent, of those in the homes. Of that number nine died in fosterhomes and three in hospitals or mirsing homes to which they had been removed fo treatment, so that the deaths in foster-homes represented 0*66 per cent, only of the total number dealt with. The expenditure in connection with infant-life protection for the year ended 31st March, 1918, was £1,219 ; for the preceding year the amount was £1,350.

Special Schools. Summary showing Comparative Cost of Upkeep at Special Schools, 1916 and 1917.

It will be seen from the above figures that, notwithstanding the increased cost of living and the conditions arising out of the war, the average cost of maintenance has not increased. School for the Deaf. Sumner. The number of pupils under instruction is shown in the following tabulated statement — Buys. Girls. Totals. Pupils of 1916 who returned to school in February, 1917 48 44 92 Admitted at beginning of year .. .. .. 4 7 11 Admitted later .... .. .. .. 4 2 (i Absent owing to illness .. .. .. .... 1 1 Total number .. .. .. ..56 54 110 Left in March. 1917 .. .. .. .... 1 1 Lell in December, 1917 .. .. .. ..7 10 17 Pupils returning in 1918 after vacation . . 49 43 92 Of the 110 pupils, 28 came from the Auckland District, 4 from Taranaki, 12 from Hawke's Bay and Oisborne, 24 from Wellington, 2 from. Nelson, 1 from Marlborough, 1 from Westland, 20 from Canterbury, and 18 from Otago. Seven boys and three girls attended as day pupils. The ages of the seventeen pupils admitted ranged from five years eleven months to fourteen years and four months. There were seven under seven, four between seven and nine, three between nine and eleven, two of twelve, and one of fourteen years of age. The two aged twelve were cases of acquired deafness, but the boy of fourteen had been totally deaf from birth, and should have been sent to the school at the age of six years. He is a very intelligent boy, and should make good progress, but nothing will be able to make up for the eight wasted years. Apart from the two cases of acquired deafness, the average age at the time of admission was just under eight. In 1916 and 1917 it was over nine, so that some improvement in this respect is evident. An encouraging feature is that more than one parent has made application for the admission of a child at an earlier age than under present conditions the school is able to admit. This is an indication that parents are becoming alive to the necessity of commencing the education of the|young deaf diihl as soon as possible. Of the seventeen pupils who left, two had been at the school eleven years, five ten years, four nine years, two eight years, two seven years, one for one year and a half, and one for one year. The last two cases were of acquired deafness, a sister

School. Number mainl of Pupils Net Mai iained. Expen intenance iditure. Average , per mnual Cost Head. 1916. 1917. 1916. 1917. 1916. 1917. School for Deaf, Sumner Speciiil School, for Boys, Otekaike.. Special School for Girls, Richmond 112 64 £ 109 4,277 95 4,902 48 £ £ s d. 3,393 38 3 9 5,608 76 11 0 1.756 £ s. d. 31 2 7 59 0 0 36 11 8