In regard to the question oE control by the board over the management of the Caversham Industrial School, we have to report fchafc matters stand in the same position as they did 12 months ago. The circular to members of Parliament on this subject, which was agreed to at meeting of the board held on the 6th December last, has not yet been forwarded, ifc being deemed advisable by your committee to withhold the same until the opening of the forth coming session. In the meantime your committee hopes that in the promised amendment of the Charitable Aid Act, if it is decided to continue the system of making the maintenance of indigent children a charge upon charitable aid boards, due attention will be paid to our representations in the matter of giving adequate local control over the management of industrial schools. Estimates. Your committee beg tosubmifc the following esti mates of the expenditure on account of charitable aid as ascertained by them in accordance with the usual custom:— Benevolent Institution "... ... £9,000 0 0 Do do, on account of extra accommoda tion required afc the institution ... 300 0 0 Industrial School, Caversham ... 2,788 10 0 St. Mary's Industrial School, Kelson... 300 0 0 Duuedin Female Eefuge ... ... 200 O 0 Board expenses ... ... ... 120 0 0 £12,708 10 0 For the sake of comparison, we here append a statement of the estimates for the jear ending ou the 3lßt inst. : — - Benevolent Institution ... ... £9,000 0 0 Industrial School, Caversham ... 2,476 10 0 St. Mary's Industrial School ... 300 0 0 Female Hefuge ... ... ... 200 0 0 Board expenses ... ... ... 125 0 0 £12,101 10 0 With respect to the estimate ofthe Benevolent Institution for the incoming year.it will be seen that the trustees, in addition tb the sura of £9000 for geueral maiutenauce, ask an additional £300 for the purpose of increasing the accommodation for inmates at the institution. Your committee in considering the trustee's estimate have decided to recommend the sum of £9000 only for your approval, hoping as they do that witli the prospect ol better times before us, the trustees may be able to make that amount suffice for all purposes.. 