tiiStRtrCTION — PAUPiCRISM
328
Instruction.
Of the total white population above 15 years in 1891 13*20 per cent, could neither read nor write. Education is compulsory.
The following table shows the average cost per head and attendance in Government schools and in assisted schools in 1880, 1890, and 1897 : —
No.of Schools
No. of Scholars
Av. Atteudance
Cost per Head
Government Schools
£ s. d.
1880
67
2,719
2,102
3 7 \l\
1890
82
3,352
2,535
3 7 11
1897
167
12,257
8,970
3 10 6
Assisted Schools
1880
19
1,327
1,006
1 11 7
1890
19
1,662
^ 1,283
1 7 n
1897
581
4,5461
3,612
—
1 Private ychools, including those formerly assisted. Of the pupils, 1,885 were males and 2,661 females.
The grants to private schools ceased from 1895, but compensation was made to the schools that had so far received subsidy, the sum of £15,000 being divided amongst them in proportion to the i^rants received by them during 1895.
The total sum paid in salaries to teachers in 1897 was 28,774'Z.
Justice and Crime.
The following table gives the number of offences, apprehensions, and convictions for four years : —
—
1894
1895
1896
1897
Offences reported to police . Apprehended by police or sUm-
moned
Summary convictions . Convictions in superior courts
8,761
7,152 4,403
84
9,070
8,377
5,309
59
14,377
13,318
8,426
177
17,344
15,433
9,584
194
On December 31, 1897, there were 125 convicts in the colony, 70 employed on the public works, 28 ticket-of-leave hoklers in private service, 23 conditional release holders, 2 invalid in hospital, and 2 ticket-of-leave holders out of employment. The total number of persons committed to prison in 1897 was 2,575 — viz., ordinary prisoners : male adults, 2,184, adult females, 189, juvenile males, 4 ; aboriginals : male adults, 165, adult females, 29, juvenile males, 4.
Pauperism.
There are two charitable institutions — both situated in Perth — supported by public funds, with 288 inmates on December 31, 1897. Twenty-five hospitals and one lunatic asylum are supported by public funds, and there are also numerous private hospitals, whilst two Protestant and two Roman Catholic ori^hanages are partly supported by private subscriptions and partly
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