7

E.—4

REPORT OK MEDICAL OFFICER, Sir, Christchurch, 30th June, 1910. I have the honour to report on the health of the Sohool for the Deaf for the year 1909. There has been a moderate amount of illness, of which the only serious oases were the subtnatron, who had pleuro-pneumonia, and two pupils with enteric. An epidemic of whoopingcough in the spring affected about a dozen pupils. One fractured leg occurred. There is great need of a tent hospital, similar to the one at Burnham, for the prompi isolation of cases of infectious disease. 1 recommend that two of these framed tents should be placed as soon as possible on ihe west side of the main building. If we wait till an outbreak occurs, it will be impossible to get the hospital properly constructed in time to be of use. A playshed and gymnasium are much needed, as there is no place for the boys to play in (luring wet weather. Haying such a good supply of electric light, it would Ik- worth while to provide an electrical projection lantern for illustrations and demonstrations, which would greatly assist the general educalion of the pupils. My attention has been for some time directed to the effect of " inside " class-rooms on the health of both teachers and pupils. These rooms are formed by partitioning some larger rooms, and, as they have no window opening to the outside air, they are badly lighted and still worse ventilated. 1 would suggest that some of the classes be transferred to the old school buildings, and the partitions taken down. I wish to record my deep appreciation of the important services rendered by Mrs. Crawford, who has been honorary nurse to the school for two years, and whose departure we all regret. Her long experience as a hospital matron and nurse has been of the utmost value to the institution. 1 have, itc, W. LI. SlMps, M.D.

No. 3.—SPECIAL SCHOOL FOE BOYS, OTEKAIKE, OAMARU. REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL Sin, Special School for Boys, Otekaike, 19th May, 1910. As Principal of the Special School for Boys, Otekaike, I have the honour to present to you a general annual report for the year ending 31st March, 1910. Admissions, discharges, and deaths, — In the school on the 31st March, 1909 ... ... ... ... 9 Admitted ... ■• ■■■ ••■ ••• ■■■ ••• 24 Discharged or left ..'. ... ... ... ■■■ ••■ 2 Died ... ... ... •■• ••■ ••• ■•■ 0 Aggregate number under treatment ... ... ... ... 33 Average number under treatment ... ... ■ ■■ ... 20 Maximum number resident on any one day ... ... ... : 'l In school on the 31st March, 1910 ... ... 31 Ages of boys in the institution on the 31st March. 1910, — From sto 10 years ... ... ... ■■■ ■•• 4 „ 10 to 16 „ [ 6 ~ 16t020 „ ... ••• ' ~ 20 years upwards ... ... ■■ ••• ■•• 4 Total ... ... .. ••■ 31 Ages of boys admitted during the year : Of those admitted during the year, — 1 was under 7 years of age; 16 were between 7 and 16 years of age ; 6 ~ 16 and 20 1 was 21 years of age and upwards. Total 24 Admissions. Of the cases admitted during the year, nearly all have proved amenable to training and educational treatment. A careful analysis of the eases shows that, both as regards mental grade and physical condition, a great similarity is seen in the general condition of the feeble-minded children of this Dominion and those of the Old Country. On the whole however, our admissions compare favourably with those admitted into the residential institutions in England, seeing that of late years the special day schools in England have been oatering for the children suffering from the lighter shades oi mental defect.