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In November a visit of inspection was paid to the school by the Chairman and four other members of the Board]of Eduoation. of North Canterbury. Mr. Opie, the Chairman, made the following entry, which was endorsed by his fellow-members, in the Official Visitors' book : " I am more and more impressed with the highly satisfactory management and control of this institution. A benevolent and national work of great value and importance is being well done." Many letters have been received from ex-pupils in different parts of the Dominion, and it is gratifying to find that all appear to have no difficulty in earning a, living. Quite a number of the old boys have written expressing their disappointment and dissatisfaction at not being accepted for active service in the field on account of their deafness. The staff contributions to the various war relief funds amounted to £145 Os. Id., besides contributions given privately. In conclusion, I wish again to urge upon the Department the necessity of providing more suitable quarters for the boys, and also of establishing a separate or completely detached school for young deaf children. From an educational point of view the policy of herding the deaf together in large numbers is most strongly to be condemned. In point of numbers this school is already too large, and the sooner subdivision is commenced the better. J. E. Stevens, Director.

No. 6,-SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR BOYS, OTEKAIKE, OAMARU.

EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. I have the honour to lay before you my ceport on this school, for the year ending 31s1 December, I 915. Admissions and Discharges. Boys. Girls. Number of children in school, Ist January, 1915 .. .. .. 69 4 Number admitted during yeai' .. .. .. .. 1 Number discharged during year .. .. .. .. .. 1 Died .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Number of children in school, 31st December, 1915 .. .. .. 69 4 Ages of children on the school roll, 31st December, 1.915 From five to ten years . . . ._ . . . . . . 2 From eleven to sixteen years .. .. .. .. .. 24 I From seventeen to twenty-one years .. .. .. .. 28 1 Over twenty-one years .. .. .. .. ..15 2 Total .. .. .. .. .. 69 i lam again able to report that the health of the children has been excellent. Throughout; the year we have had scarcely any occasion to call in any outside medical assistance. No deaths have occurred during the year. It would be an advantage if we could arrange for a periodic visit from an Oamaru dentist. A periodic examination of the children's teeth, would not only tend to prevent disease and. promote good health, but would also help to render the work of teaching the children much less trying. Seaside Camp. During the Christmas vacation those boys who were unable to be sent home to their parents bad the advantage of going into camp by the sea, at Hampden. Our yearly camp is much enjoyed by the boys. Manual Occupations. Basketmaking and coir-mat making are the chief industries in our workshops. Our greatest need at tho present time is a complete set of workshops, where other forms of manual training, such as boot making and repairing, tailoring, weaving, and rugmaking can be undertaken. Farm and Garden. We have passed through one of the driest seasons which has ever been experienced in North. Otago. In common with the neighbouring farmers, most of our farm crops have been almost a total failure. During the past eight years we have grown enough potatoes for our own use each season, besides a considerable quantity which we have been able to spare for other institutions under the control of the Education Department. This year we shall not have enough potatoes to last us until the next season's crop is ready. Fruit and vegetables, however, were plentiful, owing to the fact that in the garden and orchard we have a plentiful supply of water.

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