8.—4

14

as an institution for elder boys who are capable of earning at least part of their living either on the farm or garden or in the workshop. The segregation of the younger boys from the older cases is an important step in the matter of classification, and should facilitate the matter of training so far as the younger boys are concerned. The Special School at Richmond for the reception of feeble-minded girls has now been fully established, and good work is being done under capable management. The teaching staff has been strengthened by the addition of another teacher (two teachers in all), and through their efforts an improvement is noticeable in the comportment and dexterity of the children. At the Special School for Boys at Otckaike a scheme providing instruction in carpentry, bootmaking, and mat and basket making has been carried out satisfactorily during the year. The younger boys receive instruction by means of kindergarten and Montessori methods, and many of them become quite skilled at handwork. Basketmaking and matmaking are occupations that feeble-minded boys take to readily, but as the majority of them are of low vitality it is essential that occupations involving physical movement should also be available for them. Many of the elder boys assist either in the garden or orchard or on the farm. Considerable improvement has been made during the past twelve months in the methods of farming the 300-odd acres attached to the institution. The following tables show the numbers dealt with during the past year, together with particulars regarding expenditure :— Special School for Boys, Otekaihe. Numbers as at 31st December, 1918 : — In residence .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 86 Boarded out .. . . .. . . . . . . .. .. 1 Temporarily absent with friends . . .. .. . . .. 2 Service .. .. • ■ • • • • . . .. .. 2 91 Particulars of expenditure for the financial year ended 31st March, 1919 : — £ £ Salaries and war bonus .. .. .. .. .. 3,660 General maintenance .. .. .. .. .. 3,789 Travelling-expenses . . . . . . . . . . .. 344 Maintenance of buildings, furnishings, &c. .. .. .. 329 Additional buildings, furniture, &c. .. .. . . .. 172 8,294 Less — Parental contributions towards maintenance .. .. 801 Amount collected from Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards 1,516 Sundry other recoveries ' j .. .. .. .. 654 ,7 2,971 Net expenditure .. .. .. .. £5,323 Special School for Girls, Richmond. Numbers as at 31st December, 1918 : — In the school .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 25 On vacation .. .. ■ • .. .. .. .. 26 At service .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 53 Particulars of expenditure for the financial year ended 31st March, 1919 : — £ £ Salaries and war bonus .. .. .. .. .. 1,262 General maintenance . . .. .. .. .. . . 985 Travelling-expenses . . .. • . .. .. .. |51 Buildings, furniture, &c. .. .. . . . . .. -26 Maintenance of buildings, furnishings, &c. . . .. .. 273 2,597 Less — Parental contributions towards maintenance .. .. 511 Amount collected from Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards 989 Sundry other recoveries .. ~ .. .. 5 1,505 Net expenditure .. .. .. .. £1,092