ool course modified to
suit the individual. In the industrial division at Otekaike, baskets,
sea-grass furniture, and all kinds of wickerware and coir mats are well
made, and are readily sold. Bootmaking and repairing for the institution
are also carried out by certain of the inmates under a practical man.
Attached to Otekaike there is an area of land where farming, gardening,
and fruitgrowing absorb most of the labour of the older inmates.

At Richmond the area of land available for cultivation is limited, but
even so it occurred to the Committee that something more might possibly
be done in the direction of providing congenial and profitable work for
the older girls, as, for instance, the growing of flowers for sale in
the Wellington markets.

At Otekaike, after training, the best types of the older inmates are
placed out, usually with farmers in the district, and for the most part
are leading useful lives under the supervision of the local Juvenile
Probation Officers of the Education Department.

The matter of placing out girls from the school at Richmond is obviously
one of much greater difficulty.

At both Otekaike and Richmond there is a growing group of custodial
cases, due to the fact that in many instances the parents or guardians
are either unable to provide proper protective measures for the children
if released, or are unsuitable in other ways to have the control of
them. On the other hand, there is reluctance on the part of medical
practitioners to certify such cases for a mental hospital. It is very
desirable, of course, that the special schools should be used as
trying-out places for children whose mental equipment is questionable,
but where after a reasonable trial it is evident that merely custodial
care is required there should be some simple method of passing them on
to farm colonies or suitable custodial homes.

As a matter of fact, the school at Richmond has its full complement of
pupils, and as many cases have now to be refused admission it is
urgently necessary that other provision should be made, especially for
the older girls needing custodial care.

Mention should also be made of a visit paid by the Committee to the
industrial school at Caversham, which deals with girls and young women
who have failed to make good when placed out under supervision in the
community. There is a small clothing-factory attached to the
institution, which provides useful employment for certain of the
better-ty