B.— 4

2

The number of children brought for the first time under the operation of the Industrial Schools Act during 1916 was 436; the number whose names were written off during the year was 317, and the total roll number at the end of the year was 3,284. Of these, 1,970 were boys and 1,314 girls. The children are classified as follows : — In residence— In Government industrial schools other than reformatories In reformatories (boys) ... ... ... ••■ ••• I*2 (girls) __«> 654 In private industrial schools ... ... ... ■•• ••■ 355 Total ... 1,009 Boarded out— From Government schools (including receiving-homes) ... ... 1,076 From private industrial schools ... ... ■•• ■■• 6 Total ■■■ l>oß2 Placed out in situations ... ... ... ... ■ • • • • • • With friends on probation ... ... ••• 387 In private institutions, hospitals, absent without leave, in prison, &c. ... 236 Grand total... ... ... ... ... ••• 3,284 The net expenditure for the last financial year, exclusive of capital charges for additional buildings, works, &c, was £41,304, showing a decrease of £644 on that of the preceding year, although 515 more children were actually maintained, the numbers being 2,655 and 2,140 respectively. The contributions from parents under orders of Court, agreements, &c, amounted to £12,297, being at the rate of £4 12s. Bd. per head of those maintained. This is an increase of 3s. 7d. per head over the rate of the preceding year. The following figures show the expenditure in connection with Government and private industrial schools during the year : — Expenditure on Government Industrial Schools, 1916-17. £ Salaries ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 14,788 General maintenance ... ... ... ... ... ... 23,237 Travelling-expenses ... ... ... ... .. ... 1,346 Furnishings, repairs to buildings, small works ... .. ■■■ 1,568 New buildings and works ... ... ... ... ... 332 Payments to foster-parents ... ... ... ... ... 23,408 Gross cost ... ... ... ... ... 64,679 Recoveries from parents and others ... ... ... £23,796 Sales, &c. ... ... ... ... ... ... 2,565 26,361 Net cost of institutions ... ... ... ... 38,318 Salaries, &0., of visiting and probation officers and sundries ... 2,118 £40,436 Expenditure on Private Industrial Schools. £ Gross cost .... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2,857 Recoveries ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,884 Net cost ... ... ... ... ... ... £973 Included in the total sum recovered (£25,680) is an amount of £13,383 paid by Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards for the maintenance of 836 children committed to industrial schools on account of indigency. In addition 169 inmates of private indiistrial schools were maintained at the expense of Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards. As these latter schools make their claims direct against the Boards the figures are not included in this report. Section 50 of the Industrial Schools Act provides for the placing of inmates of industrial schools in situations and for part of their earnings to be placed