E.—4

programme of physical education makes provision for the gradual building-up of the body and increasing the correlation between mind and muscle. This training consists of rhythmic work, eurhythmies, Swedish drill, organized games, sports, postural work, and rest. Boys of the type admitted to this school respond better to the stimulus afforded by manual work than to that afforded by academic subjects, hence manual work forms a large part of the daily training. The occupations, graded to meet the needs of the individual, consists of knitting, sewing, darning, and weaving for the younger boys; drawing, designing, stencilling, leatherwork, and woodwork for the elder boys. All boys take an active part in the school-garden. The cultural aspect of school is not neglected. Singing is taught, and direct instruction in the appreciation of good music. The gramophone is in daily use, and is a constant source of instruction and enjoyment. A mouth-organ band has been established and is a very popular institution. A curriculum in reading, writing, &c., arranged to meet the needs of the boys, is in operation, and gives them an opportunity of proving themselves fit for transfer, if their conduct is satisfactory, to a non-institutional environment. With the object of giving the boys an opportunity of mixing with their equals in age, a Scout troop (Oamaru No. 4) has been formed. The troop has taken part in Scout activities in the district. The health of the boys continues to be very satisfactory. Special School for Girls, Richmond. The school roll at the Ist April, 1929, numbered eighty-eight pupils. During the year two new pupils were admitted, four returned to parents, one died at Nelson Hospital, three were transferred to a receiving-home, with the view of being placed in suitable positions in the general community. The usual school curriculum (kindergarten to Standard IY) has been satisfactorily carried out, and the pupils have made marked progress. The handwork section is expanding, and excellent work has been performed by the older girls. A varied assortment of handwork of this section was considered worthy of exhibition at the recent Special Schools Conference held in Wellington. As in former years, the elder pupils are being trained in the different lines of domestic and gardening work and poultry-keeping. These branches, in addition to providing congenial occupation, are of very great value to the school. The Rev. Mr. Daynes, Vicar of Richmond, visits the school and gives religious instruction to the children each Friday morning. To Mrs. Morrow, who allowed the children the use of her seaside home, for a holiday at the beach ; Mr. W. E. Wilkes, of Richmond, who placed his car at the disposal of the school, and arranged many pleasant motor outings ; the Junior Branch of the Y.C.T.U., and the citizens of Nelson, for much kindness and hospitality, our thanks are due.

Table 13.—Institutions for Backward Children: Numbers at 31st March, 1929.

Table 14. —Particulars of Expenditure for the Year 1928-29.

The net expenditure for the year 1927—28 was £10,549 12s. 4cl. ; the recoveries for the year, compared with the previous year, show an increase of £307 lis. 6d.

12

Richmond. i Obekaike. rn , , (Girls.) ! (Boys.) iotals - I ! I In residence .. .. .. .. 79 L92 271 On vacation .. .. .. .. . . 2 2 At service .. .. .. .. .. 7 7 In hospital .. .. .. .. 1 .. I Day pupil .. .. .. .. 1 .. 1 Totals .. .. 81 201 282

Item. Otekaike. I Richmond. Total. £ s. d. £ s. cl. £ s. d. Salaries .. .. .. .. .. 5,487 4 0 1,786 12 7 7,273 16 7 Advertising .. .. .. .. 12 9 5- 3 5 6 15 14 11 Maintenance of buildings .. .. .. 736 0 9 15 15 0 751 15 9 Maintenance of institutions .. .. 5,708 11 0 1,588 10 1 7,297 1 1 11,944 5 2 3,394 3 2 15,338 8 4 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. .. 299 19 2 15,638 7 6 Less recoveries (parental contributions and revenue from farms, sale of 3,817 1 5 articles manufactured, &c.) —— Net cost to Department .. .. .. .. .. .. 11,821 6 1