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and the Women's Christian Temperence Union provided tea parties for Christmas and New Year respectively, while numerous other friends contributed to our fund to provide cheer and recreation on other occasions during the year. In conclusion, I desire to state that at all times the staff have carried out their duties in a loyal and tactful manner. Inveecaegill Borstal Institution. (Superintendent, Mr. R. W. Arnold.) At the beginning of the year there were 108 Borstal inmates in custody. During the year 81 inmates were received into the institution, while in the same period 93 were discharged or otherwise disposed of, thus leaving 96 males in custody at 31st December, 1936. Of the 93 discharged, 85 were released on the recommendation of the Parole Board, 6 were discharged on the expiration of the term of detention, and 2 were transferred to a northern institution for health reasons. The greatest number of inmates in custody at one time was 130, the least number 95. The daily average number in custody during the year was 114. In the Reformatory Section there were 20 inmates (males) in custody at the beginning of the year. During the year, 69 males and 1 female were received, while 77 males and 1 female were discharged thus leaving 12 males in custody ,at 31st December, 1936. The greatest number in custody at one time was 20, the least 8, the daily average during the year being 14. With the exception of a few hospital cases, the general health of the inmates was good. Various ailments of a minor nature were treated in the institution hospital. Considerable attention is always given by the medical officer, Dr. J. Garfield Crawford. Dental treatment is given by the visiting dentist, Mr. Jas. G. Wade. Major cases are dealt with at his surgery. In order to inculcate a sense of tidiness, order, and good behaviour in the inmates, as well as a healthy spirit of rivalry, a house competition is carried out during the year, with an award of marks each quarter. The results for 1936 are as follows : Wakatipu House, 357 ; Monowai, 346 ; Te Anau 340; Manapouri, 327. Inmates are given the opportunity of learning the elements of certain trades, evening classes being conducted m carpentering, blacksmithing, butchering, painting, and signwriting. The singing, music, orchestra, and art classes attract quite a number of boys who have an aptitude in that direction! Actual experience is also obtained by inmates along these lines, as well as in cooking and breadmaking," bootmaking and repairing. One or two boys are, as a rule, engaged making coir matting from fibre supplied. Inmates also learn gardening, farm work, milking, stock work, &c. Reports on the year's work as submitted by the several instructors are quoted hereunder Mr. Clapp.—-" The average attendances for the last term were as follows : Juniors, 20; intermediate, 21 ; seniors, 40. The English course for the seniors provided a study of some of the standard authors, their works, and the characteristics of their writings. The aim here was to create a love of good literature and to encourage reading for the sake of the knowledge to be obtained. "In the lower school the course was necessarily more of the formal type. Letter writing, the wording of telegrams, the writing and answering of advertisements again received continuous treatment. " The arithmetic scheme covered problems likely to be met in the life of the community. An appreciable portion of the arithmetic belonged rather to the informational than to the computational field, and the modification of our curriculum accordingly did much to lighten the load of the duller boys. Mental calculations formed the major portion of this subject, and were graded according to the mentality level. " The interest of the seniors was maintained in algebra and geometry, while the study of French gave added interest to this division. "In geography modern teaching methods were used to deal with the countries of the world. In the lower divisions, New Zealand was made the basis of study. " The European history from 1815 onwards was studied by the seniors, who were also kept in touch with current historical events. The social progress of New Zealand was studied by the juniors. Great explorers and their explorations were dealt with in detail suited to the classes. " The Students' Digest, a monthly paper, has been used to advantage in all sections of the school. This change of reading matter has been appreciated by the boys. In conclusion, Mr. McFarlane and I wish to express our appreciation for the co-operation and the courtesy extended to us during the year." Mr. Beaker.— 1 There was an average attendance of about 30 at the classes, and the work covered not only League activities, but a wide range of current topics. Twenty-four boys sat the final examination, and the work was of such a standard that my Council decided to award six book prizes for those who scored the highest marks. lam quite sure that members of the Invercargill Branch will next year be quite willing to conduct a class should you be inclined to institute one." . Mr : Stobo.—" The local branch of the Workers' Educational Association conducted a session at the institution during the winter months of 1936. The opening night was a play-reading performance by Mr. Augusts literature class. The remaining evenings followed a syllabus made out by subcommittee of boys' class. This consisted for the most part of debates and lecturettes, also a gramophone evening and a concert on the final night. The interest shown by the lads and their willingness to take up any parts allotted to them was most praiseworthy." . Mr • Mathews. " of instruction in agriculture were carried on throughout the year and satisfactory progress was maintained. The instruction aims to be of direct value to those entering upon a farming career and embraces tuition in regard t„o soils and crops, seasonal work on the average farm, types and use of the several varieties of lime, artificial manures, crop rotation,' farm
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