E.—4

8

Under the provisions of the Industrial Schools Act, 1909, power is given for the detention beyond the age of twenty-one years of any inmate who, upon application being made to a Magistrate by the Manager of the school at the direction of the Minister of Education, is found to be morally degenerate or otherwise not (in the public interest) a fit person to be free from control. In the three years since this Act came into operation there have been nine orders issued extending the period of control, eight of the inmates concerned being girls. The Act provides for extension for four years, and gives power to the Court on similar procedure to renew the order from time to time for a period of four years. It is expected that the number of those over whom authority beyond twenty-one years will be needed will always be small in proportion to the whole number of inmates ; but the value of such an enactment in respect of the remainder who have to be detained is obvious, both in their own interest and in that of the community at large. REPORTS OF MEDICAL OFFICERS. Auckland Industrial School. Sir,— Auckland, 12th Maich, 1913. I have to report tliat the health of the children injthe Mount Albert Industrial School has been excellent during the pant twelve months. The Hon. J. Allen visited the school and found everything quite satisfactory. I have, &c, The Secretary for Education, Wellington. A. Challinor Purchas, M.8., CM., M.R.C.B.

St. Mary's Industrial School, Auckland (Girls' Branch). Sir,— Auckland, 22nd February, 1913. During the year the Orphanage was moved over the water from Ponsonby to the northern side of the Waitemata. The old bui'dings were pulled down and rebuill upon the new site. The institution is almost identical in appearance and arrangement with what it wa.s in its former situation. It has undergone a thorough renovation ; proper attention has been paid to sanitation and drainage, and the Home is much more suitable for its purpose than it was before. It is built in spacious grounds where the children can get exercise and recreation in the fresh air, and where in the summer they can have outdoor classes. Its surroundings are ideal. Speaking generally, the health of the children has been excellent. They all look exceedingly well and robust. The most serious cases during the year in the Home have been a septic finger and a septic knee. All other cases of sickness have been trivial. One girl is suffering from an old-standinjj progressive deafness, and the outlook as regards her hearing is bad. The food has been good, and the childen are all suitably clothed. The Sisters have been painstaking, and are devoted to their charges. Sister Mary Frances, the Sister in charge, left during the year for another sphere of labour and usefulness. The children were most devoted to her, and on her day of departure all were moved to tears. They felt that they had lost their mother. Sister Mary Liguori has taken Sister Mary Frances's place, and is already picking up the reins in a capable manner. have, &c, E. H. B. Milsom, M.D., 8.8., Lond. The Secretary for Education, Wellington. St. Mary's Industrial School, Auckland (Boys' Branch). Sir,— Devonport, Bth March, 1913. With reference to the St. Joseph's Home, I have the honour to report that, on the whole, the health of the boys has been good during the year ending the 28th February. There have been no epidemics of any kind, and the boys are well cared for and appear to be perfectly happy. I have started to vaccinate the boys, none of whom have been hitherto vaccinated, and have already successfully performed this operation in forty-eight cases. On the 28th February there were 114 regular residents in the Home, besides four casual old boys. I have, &c, The Secretary for Education, Wellington. C. H. Wheeler, M.D.. D.P.H.

Boys' Training-farm, Weraroa. Sir.— Levin, 10th May, 1913. I have the honour to present the annual medical report on the Boys' Tiaining-farm, Weraroa. The average number of boys in the school has been 211. The amount of sickness has been a good deal less than last year. The epidemic of mumps mentioned in my last report as just starting became general, and nearly every boy in the institution had it. There were often complications, but not of a serious character. I attribute the healty state of the boys—in spite of the material not being of a high order—to the fact that their habits are regular, food good, and plenty of ventilation ; also thai their teeth have been attended to by the dentist, and I do not think that in any school in the Dominion will a number of boy 3 be found with such healthy mouths. A number of minor operations necessary to the health and morals of the boys have been performed. The annual camp at the beach is a nice break in the usual routine, and they all came back looking very happy and well. Everything seems to work smoothly under the kindly but firm hand of the Manager, who seems to individual temperaments of every boy under his charge. I have, &c, The Secretary for Education, Wellington. Henry A. Davies, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.