E.—4,

8

Out of 1,338 illegitimate births during the year only 210 were placed in licensed foster-homes under the supervision of the Department's officers, as provided for under Part V of the Infants Act, and of this number 2 died. The death-rate among illegitimate infants supervised by the State during last year was therefore 9-52 per 1,000. Taking the total number of infants (both legitimate and illegitimate) under twelve months (434) supervised by the State during last year, and the number of deaths (3) during the same period, the rate per 1,000 is 6-91.

Schools for the Feeble-minded. Numbers at 31st March, 1925.

Particulars of Expenditure for the Year 1924-25.

The net expenditure for the year 1923-24 was £9,023. The recoveries for the year compared with the previous year show an increase of £766 18s. 6d. I have, &c., J. Beck, The Director of Education. Officer in Charge, Special Schools Branch

No. 3.— SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF, SUMNER. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. Sib,: — I have the honour to lay before you my report for the period Ist January, 1924, to 31st March, 1925. The number of pupils under instruction during the year 1924 is shown in tabulated form hereunder. The school, owing to the outbreak of infantile paralysis, was not open till after 31st March during 1925. Boys. Girls. Total. Pupils of 1923 that returned to school .. .. ..51 47 98 Admitted during 1924 .. .. . . .. 14 6 20 Left during and at the end of the year .. .. ..14 7 21 On the roll, 31st March, 1925 .. .. .. .. 51 46 97 Received instruction during 1924 .. .. ..65 53 118 The numbers attending the special classes in Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin were as follows : — Auckland. Wellington. Dunedin. Received instruction . . .. .. 39 52 28 On the roll, 31st December, 1924 .. .. ..14 20 28

Richmond. Otekaike. T . , j (Girls.) j (Boys.) In residence .. .. .. .. .. 71 142 213 On vacation .. .. .. .. .. 6 15 21 At service .. . . .. . . .. .. 3 3 In hospital .. .. .. .. .. 1 1 2 In probation homes .. . . .. . . . . 4 4 Missing .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 2 Totals .. .. .. .. 78 167 245

Item. Otelcaike. Richmond. Total. Salaries .. .. .. .. 4,465 4 2 1,684 4 4 6,149 8 6 Advertising .. .. .. .. 21 11 6 14 15 11 36 7 5 Maintenance of buildings .. .. .. 771 7 4 22 13 6 794 0 10 Maintenance of institutions .. .. 3,544 10 2 1,029 11 6 4,574 1 8 Contingencies .. .. .. .. 5 15 0 .. 515 0 11,559 13 5 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. . . .. 315 4 9 11,874 18 2 Less recoveries .. .. .. .. .. 2,988 18 6 Net cost to Department .. .. .. .. 8,885 19 8