Titchener, give quarterly returns as to health, state of clothing, and general conduct, the forms for which are supplied when accounts for wages are sent them. The writer has before him quite a pile of these returns. The topmost one, referring to a boy, runs thus:—"Health—Good, plucky, cheerful. State of clothing—Very good. General conduct—Always keeping the same—quiet, willing, honest, trustworthy, and tidy." The next in order, referring to a girl whose parentage is as bad as bad can be, states:—"Health—As usual, excellent. State of clothing—In good order, and she has a full supply of all she needs. General conduct—Very good, and she is growing up to be a happy girl, willing to learn all she can." These examples will suffice. Bearing in mind that more than one thousand five hundred boys and girls have thus been dealt with, it can readily be understood that their withdrawal from debasing home surroundings, or from a neglected life, confers incalculable benefit not only upon themselves, but also upon the colony at large. It is an interesting fact that at this time the Trustees have in their possession 200 bank books, with credit balances amounting in all to close upon £2000, belonging to lads and girls hired out, or who are still under 21 years of age. While they are in their minority the money is laid out for them according to their requirements, and when they become of age, enter the marriage state before they become of age, or embark in suitable business of some kind, the balance to their credit is paid over to them. Thus, during the year ending November 11th, 1889, close upon £700, in sums varying from £5 to £83, was paid to fifteen young men and women released from control; and during the sixteen months ending November, 1889, over £500, in sums varying from £1 up to £45, was paid to, or laid out on behalf of, fifty lads and girls still on the books, but at service. As showing the habit of thrift engendered, and the confidence of those who have been subject to the discipline of the institution, it is worthy of mention that recently a young man (a former inmate, and now in the North Island) forwarded £100 to Mr. Titchener to be banked in the usual way for safe keeping.
As already stated, the children receive ordinary school teaching up to the fourth standard; but when they are hired out, their further education is ensured as far as possible by
