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the usual culinary apartments with suitable conveniences; and four well-ventilated schoolrooms. The water-supply, so deficient in our old premises, is ample here, and there is provision for hot as well as cold water. The whole of the grounds, about ten acres in extent, is enclosed by a ring-fence, thus protecting the pupils from the dangers of all road-traffic. One drawback, lam sorry to say, we have to contend with. It is that part of the grounds is liable to floods in winter, and of this we have already had an unpleasant experience. Better trenches may possibly be cut for the lctting-off of the storm-water. Excellent health has again been enjoyed by the pupils during the past yeav, not a single instance of a disorder having occurred that may be termed serious. It is plain, in fact, that to many of the older pupils regularity of habits and a well-regulated, liberal diet are the means of building up a strong physique and a sound constitution. In the matter of payment of fees a little extension of time had to be given to a few of the parents, owing to slackness in trade or the failure of crops, but on the whole there is little cause for complaint in this respect. The sum of £395 6s. Bd. passed through our hands into the Treasury. With the exception of two or three children of small and weak capacity, the progress of all the pupils was satisfactory, and my best thanks arc due to Mr. Crofts and the other assistants for their co-operation in the work, and for their willingness to promote the welfare of the pupils in every way. I have, §-c., The Hon. the Minister of Education. G. Van Asch.

No. 3. Medical Officer's Report. Sir,— Christchurch, May, 1886. I have the honour to furnish the Government with my annual report upon the deaf-and-dumb asylum at Sumner, and I am pleased to be again in a position to state that the institution continues to be conducted in a very satisfactory manner. The pupils now number forty-three, namely, twenty-three boys and twenty girls. Throughout the year the health of the inmates has been very good ; only a few pupils, who have been brought to my house suffering from some trifling ailments, having been treated by me. It is, therefore, fair to conclude that this important institution has been placed in a very healthy locality. The Director of the asylum, and his family, together with one lady-assistant, four servants, and thirty-one pupils, occupy the building which was formerly used as a boarding-school by Mr. C. L. Wiggins. In addition to providing accommodation for the persons named, the building has four school-rooms and two bath-rooms. When the contemplated necessary additions to the outhouses are completed—-the water-supply being good and ample—the asylum will be a vast improvement upon the old arrangements. The school has also the great advantage of having ten acres of land attached to it. There is a separate house connected with the institution, which is occupied by one elderly woman, two masters, and twelve of the biggest boys. Notwithstanding what has been recently done to provide for the comfort of the inmates, I am compelled to call the attention of the Government to the fact that the accommodation is still very limited. Without overcrowding and inconveniencing those at present in the institution, it would be impossible to admit fresh pupils. I therefore respectfully submit that the deaf-and-dumb asylum should be dealt with in a liberal manner, and that no reasonable expense should be spai'ed if it can be shown that the expenditure will tend to make the institution more efficient. The Director, Matron, and in fact all the officers connected with the institution are deserving of all praise for the manner in which they have carried out their duties, and they are to be congratulated upon the marked success which has attended their efforts. I have, &c., H. H. Prins, The Hon. the Minister of Education. Medical Officer. lApproximateI Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil; printing (2,850 copies), £3 ss. Bd.]

Authority : George Didsbuuy, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBG.