Gh—6.

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the air more than three times in the hour, otherwise you will produce a draught. Where you have a singularly healthy lot of boys who can stand a good deal of draught it does not matter if there is a considerable amount of draught going through the dormitories —the boys do not in any way suffer by it. Ido not think the rooms are overcrowded. 61. Did you inspect the baths?—l do not like the wooden baths. I would like to see some shower and plunge baths. Metal baths should be substituted for the wooden baths. 62. Mr. Lee.] Is the woodwork in any part of the buildings in a state of decay? —It is old; but Ido not think there is any part of the buildings that is actually rotting just now. The improvements that have lately been made in the last twelve months have certainly benefited the school. 63. Did the matter of lighting come under your notice?— Yes; that does not come up to modern standards. 64. Mr. Eliott.] Is there any provision for a fire-escape?—Y'es, and there is fire drill. 65. The Chairman.] You think the fire-escapes are sufficient? —I should imagine that in the case of a lot of active boys the fire-escapes are sufficient. 66. Mr. Eliott.] Do you know the building called the hospital: do you think that is a suitable position for it?— There is nothing really objectionable about the place; but it is not a site that I should have chosen. Any cases of infectious diseases would be taken to the ordinary hospital. 67. Mr. Lee.] Have you gone into the question of the drainage of the ground?— Yes. I had an idea that the playgrounds are rather low-lying and would be swampy; but I have visited them in wet weather, and I have not seen water lying on the playgrounds. 68. Mr. Hogben.] I understand that you disagree with the theoretical standard that is set for cubic and floor space and for the dormitories: you say that there is no disadvantage because the ventilation is greater than the amount of space in the standard ?—Yes, I think that is the case. It is much below the theoretical standard. Dr. Duke's standard is perhaps rather excessive. The long dormitory has 60 ft. of space for every bed. 69. Do you think that is sufficient if the air is only changed three times in the hour?—7o ft. would be better, but I think 60 ft. would be sufficient. I may add that the Home standards are all taken for brick-and-plaster walls. Wooden walls admit a great deal more percolation of air, and I do not know whether we should not have another standard here. Andrew Gilmour examined. 70. The Chairman.] What are you?— Foreman of Works of the Borough of Wanganui. I have occupied that position for thirty-two years. 71. As Foreman of Works you practically take the position of borough engineer?—ln the case of ordinary works. 72. You have heard Mr. Bignell's evidence?— Yes. 73. Do you substantially agree with what he said?— Yes, practically; but my estimates are a little above his, because the plans were not completed when he looked, at them to form his opinion. I received notice from the Borough Council on the 2nd November to prepare an estimate of the cost of forming the roads, &c, on the Industrial School Estate, on the proposed plan forwarded by the trustees, and my estimate for the work is as follows: Industrial School Estate, roads, drainage and water service: Formation of roads, 182 chains, £2,730; contingent expenses, £150—£2,880: claying full width, £1,137 10s.; contingent, £57—£1,194 10s.: gravelling, 16 ft. wide, £1,000: kerbing footpaths, £947 10s.: drainage (exclusive of main drains), £1,463: water-service, £1,956 16s. 6d.: main drains, 3 ft. concrete pipes, £9,000: total, £18,441 16s. 6d. 74. Does this property receive any storm-water from Mosstown ?—The storm-water from Mosstown goes all round the boundary of this property, with the exception of a portion down by the end of the old Cemetery Road. 75. Mr. Hogg.] Would you expect the trustees to bear the cost of the reticulation? —That is a question for the Borough Council to decide. Sometimes the owners of property assist the Borough Council in draining. 76. Is not that done at the expense of the Corporation?— Principally at the expense of the Corporation. Reginald Edward Beckett examined. 77. The Chairman.] What are you?—-A sheep-farmer at Marton. I was previously in business for about thirty years. 78. You are one of the trustees of the Wanganui Industrial School endowment?— Yes; I was appointed about two years ago by the General Synod. 79. Have you attended the meetings of the trustees? —Yes, in Wellington and in Wanganui. They have only held one sitting in Wanganui since I have been a member of the Trust Board, but it was decided that for the future more meetings should be held in Wanganui than have been held in the past. That was decided about nine months ago. My Liffiton is our agent here. His power of attorney was cancelled about six months ago. His power now is merely that of an agent to collect rents, and to act in a general agency capacity, and keep the books. 80. Do the trustees ever examine his books ?—They have not done so during my time, but the books have been audited. 81. Do the trustees appoint the auditors?—Y'es. 82. All questions relating to leases have now to be decided by the trustees? —Yes; practically the power has been largely delegated in small matters to the Rev. Mr. Maclean and myself. 83. What are the qualifications or disqualifications with respect to applications for admission to the school? —I should think there are no disqualifications except inability to obtain a good character. A character is required from every boy who applies for admission. 84. Has the religious question anything to do with it?—l am sure it has nothing to do with it. " 85. Has Mr. Empson instructions to receive boys no matter what their religious beliefs may be?— Yes.