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St. Maey's Industrial School, Auckland : Boys' Beanch, Lake Takapuna. Sir,—- Auckland, 22nd May, 1907. I have examined this orphanage, and find everything in good working-order. Health of the children excellent; dormitories clean and well ventilated ; bath-rooms, &c, in perfect order and good sanitary condition. The addition of the new kitchen and dining-rooms has been a great advantage. As Medical Officer to the institution I have had many opportunities of noting the great and marked improvement in the children after they have been in the Home for a month or so. There has been practically no sickness all this year in the institution. I have, &c, W. Geattan Guinness, M.D., D.P.H., The Secretary for Education, Wellington. Medical Officer.

St. Maey's Industeial School, Auckland: Giels' Beanch, Ponsonby. Sie,— Auckland, 9th July, 1907. I have recently inspected the above institution, and I find everything in a most satisfactory condition. The dormitories are kept perfectly clean and well ventilated. The beds are very good, with plenty of warm covering. The whole establishment throughout speaks of cleanliness of the highest order. The children are all healthy, well clad, and fed most liberally. The drainage and lavatories are all in a satisfactory state, and the good Sisters spare no pains to keep in order every department of this noble institution under the kind Superioress, Sister Mary Francis. I have, &c, W. J. Dabby, The Secretary for Education, Wellington. Hon. Physician.

Boys' Tkaining Faem, Weeaeoa. Sir, — Boys' Training Farm, Weraroa, Levin, 20th May, 1907. During the past year there were two deaths of boys belonging to the institution—A. C. Jiedon the 22nd July, 1906, at the ageof thirteen years, and J. C. died on the 12th January, 1907, aged sixteen years and seven months. Both these boys were ill before they arrived here, and had been under observation by several other medical men. The general health of the boys in this institution has been good, there having been no epidemic disease during the year. During the early part of the year there was considerable inconvenience from overcrowding in the dormitories, but the building of the cottage homes has relieved this. In the earlier days of last year there was difficulty on account of defective water-supply, but this has to a large extent been remedied. Three of the cottage homes are lighted with kerosene. From a sanitary and also a safety point of view, I would urge that the electric-light installation be extended to these. The ventilation of the social hall and also of the dormitories might be improved. I have from time to time made examination of the living and sleeping rooms, and have always found them scrupulously clean. The Manager has at all times given me every assistance in carrying out my duties, and undoubtedly has the welfare of the institution at heart, and the Matron has been unremitting in her care of the sick. I have, &c, H. D. Mackenzie, M.D., The Secretary for Education, Wellington. Medical Officer.

Wellington Beceiving Home. Sie,— Wellington, 27th April, 1907. We have the honour to report that we have visited and inspected the Wellington Receiving Home at regular intervals throughout the past year, and attended professionally the children there, as well as those at the foster-homes in or contiguous to Wellington. Owing to the exceptionally hot and dry summer, summer diarrhoea has been very prevalent amongst young children and infants, and those of the Receiving Home have not escaped. Two deaths resulted from this condition. One, however, was a child admitted from a licensed home who was suffering from rickets and diarrhoea at the time of admission, and died shortly afterwards. Of two other deaths, one was of an infant two months old who was in a condition of severe marasmus on admission, and died a few days later; the other was a case of acute pneumonia. The great prevalence of adenoids amongst the children has necessitated operation for their removal in several cases. All those operated upon have very much improved. We look forward to the completion of the alterations in the Home, as, notwithstanding the high efficiency of the staff, it has been found very difficult to do the best work in our present cramped surroundings. We have, &c, W. A. Chapple, M.D., M.R.C.S., D.P.H., D. J. McGavin, M.D., F.R.C.S. (Eng.), L.R.C.P., The Secretary for Education, Wellington, Medical Officers,