7

8.—4

New System of purchasing Supplies, and Results. The establishment of a central store some three years ago has proved a very great financial saving to the Department. Since the establishment, goods to the value of £38,000 have'been supplied to the various institutions under the control of the Department. The estimated saving on these purchases is £.15,200, while the present wholesale value of the goods at present in stock is £7,562 over the original cost to the Department. The total saving can therefore lie set down as £22,7G2. Associated with the work of the central store, a, great deal of work- has been accomplished in the matter of standardizing materials, improvement in clothing outfits for all classes of inmates from infants to adults, .and the arranging for the making of garments in quantities in factories in .preference to the past system whereby such articles were made by seamstresses at the various institutions. Not only is the time of the seamstresses saved, but the garments now supplied are superior both as regards fit and quality. As soon as conditions are favourable the Department proposes to establish a factory of its own for the manufacture of all clothing required for children under control throughout New Zealand. The factory will be attached to one of the girls' schools, and in addition to catering for the needs of the schools will provide congenial employment and valuable training for a certain number of elder girls who desire to take up this class of work' in preference to domestic service. Summary of Revenue and Savings during the Year as compared with previous Year. £ SJaintenance of schools .. .. .. .. .. .. 6,321 Salaries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,092 Increase, in revenue for year L9lB as compared with previous yearProm parents and others . . . . . . . . . . 3,309 Bales of produce, &c, at Government industrial schools and special schools .. .. .. ' .. 45,275 Increase in refunds from inmates'earnings .. .. .. 1,921. Total .. .. .. .. .. .. £16,921 These figures do not, of course, include the values of the properties now available for other than industrial-school purposes. For instance, Burnham, with its farm of over 1,000 acres, is estimated to be worth about £25,000 ; the buildings and property at Te Oranga Home are worth about £23,000; and the Boys' Training-farm, Nelson, with its farm of about 800 acres, is worth at least £30,000. (1.) Table showing Total Amounts paid in Salaries and for the General Maintunanctc op all Government Industrial Schools for the past-Five Years. Kill. 1015. 1916. 1917. 1918. £ £ £ £ £ Salaries .. .. .. .13,952 11,211 14,788 15,687 14,270 Maintenance .. .. .. 24,999 21,513 23,237 24,483 19,247 £38,952 £35,724 £38,025 £40,170 £33,517 Included in the figures for 1918 (£33,517) are the following non-recurring amounts on account of institutions either closed or vacated since Ist April, 1918 : — £ Burnham .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ■ ..1,941 Te Oranga Home .. .. .. .7 .. .. .. 1,046 Boys' Training-farm, Nelson .. .. .. .. .. .. 8,250 £11,237 The bulk of the savings, therefore, on account of the closing of these institutions will not be really noticeable until next year,