boys and girls, whose record has been good while in the Institution, to be taken out on probation by responsible parties, has had a good effect on the schools. It is fully understood, that only such as have behaved well here, will have applications favorably considered.

While the discipline of the schools has been fully maintained, and general good conduct, subordination and industry secured, it gives me pleasure to state that punishments have not been frequent.

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The Rev. Mr. Dadmun, Superintendent of Schools, makes the following statement in regard to reformation schools. "Again it becomes my duty to report to you the state of the schools in these institutions. When we remember that the children of these schools are the poor and unfortunate of our city, many of them having been picked up in the streets as truants and vagrants, and that a large proportion of them have been wholly deprived of the hallowed influences of home and mother,' we have great reason to rejoice that they are so well provided with the means of education, where they may in some measure make amends for their great neglect. In making up our estimate of their progress and improvement, the adverse influences of childhood must be taken into account, together with the fact that our numbers are constantly changing, which militates very much against the proficiency of the pupils and the efficiency of the teachers. Notwithstanding all these disad antages, a commendable progress has been made in all the studies. The teachers have been constant and faithful in the discharge of their duties. The order has been unexceptionable. It has been a rare thing for a boy or girl to be reported or punished for misdemeanors in any of our schools.

"During the winter, we have had five schools in the House of Reformation, four for boys and one for girls, with an average attendance of about one hundred and eighty scholars. The branches taught are spelling, writing, reading, arithmetic, grammar, geography, history and music."

HOUSE OF INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.

The whole number of inmates remaining on the first day of May, 1869, was

Males, 178; Females, 213. Total, 391.

Children of sentenced mothers, 9.

The whole number committed from May 1, 1869, to April 30, 1870, inclusive, was

Males, 1,159; Females, 2,059. Total, 3,218.

The whole number discharged, from May 1, 1869, to April 30, 1870, inclusive, was

Males, 1,181; Females, 2,063. Total, 3,244.

The whole number remaining, May 1, 1870,

Males, 156; Females, 209.

Total, 365.

Children of sentenced mothers, 7.

Number of deaths during the year,

Males, 6; Females, 6. Total, 12.

Children of sentenced mothers, 3. Total deaths, 15.

Largest number of inmates during the year 501.

Sentences of those committed during the year,

For non-payment of fines and costs.

2,228

74

391

255

107

31

127

1

2

2

The House of Industry department has been crowded during a greater part of the year. There were, at one time, one hundred prisoners more than there are cells in the prisons. The wings of the building which are now used for the almshouse department are required for the House of Industry.

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From May 1, 1869, to April 30, 1870, inclusive, fines and costs for two hundred and fifty-nine prisoners have been paid, amounting to two thousand four hundred and five dollars ($2,405. 90), all of which has been paid into the City Treasury; not, however, to the credit of the House of Industry, but as County Income.

The record of weight of prisoners, at the time of admission and discharge, shows an average increase of

The sewing department has continued in operation with good results. A part of the year no contract work could be obtained; consequently the sewing machines were idle. The female labor, not employed on contract work, or making institution clothing, has been expended in cooking, washing, ironing, mending, scrubbing, etc. It is no small task to cook for, and to make and keep thoroughly clean the clothing and bedding, of our large number of inmates, and to secure cleanliness at all times, in all parts of a building of such magnitude.

The male prisoners, competent to labor, have been employed on the farm, as carpenters, blacksmiths, tailors, shoemakers, masons, whitewashers, bakers, in engine room, etc.; a large number of both male and female prisoners are unable to perform any kind of labor. On the contrary, instead of being useful, many come here broken down in health, who go immediately to the hospital, and there remain during their whole term of imprisonment.

It should not be forgotten, that the House of Industry is a place designed for punishment, and it is the duty of the Super

intendent, not only to see that the sentences of the Courts are faithfully carried out, but that good deportment, order and industry are maintained. In securing these ends, it has been my endeavor to exercise a just but firm government.

The cost of material used in manufacturing gas during the past year, has averaged $1.10 per 1,000 cubic feet.

A farm-house has been built during the year, and is occupied by the farmer and his family; connected therewith is the dairy, which has supplied the institutions with all of the milk used, and three thousand two hundred and twenty-five pounds of butter have been made.

The piggery has been kept up to meet our wants. It has furnished all the fresh and salt pork used on the Island. Some seventy-five (75) pigs and seven barrels of salt pork have been sold, and we have fourteen barrels of salt junk on hand.

The farming operations have been carried on successfully. The onion crop exceeded that of any former year. All other crops were good. The following table exhibits the result of the principal articles of produce raised :—

A sufficient quantity of table vegetables, such as green peas, green corn, asparagus, lettuce, string-beans, celery, etc., was raised to liberally supply the wants of the island, of which no account has been made.

The plank on the steamboat wharf, from constant wear and decay, is becoming unsafe in places for horses, oxen and heavy teams to pass over. It will soon require a thorough overhauling and repairing.

During the gale of September 8th, slates on the roofs of the several buildings on the island were torn off in many places, causing a damage of about six hundred and fifty dollars. Considering our exposed condition and the number of buildings, the damage was light, in comparison with that of many places in the vicinity of Boston.

The early introduction of soft water to the Island is earnestly recommended. Among the arguments in its favor are, that it The well water

It

is required for heating and cooking purposes. now used is hard and brackish to such a degree, that it is necessary to use flue instead of tubular boilers. Two goodsized tubular boilers would, in moderate weather, supply a sufficient amount of steam for heating and cooking purposes. now requires three flue boilers all of the winter, and in extreme cold weather, four. The amount of saving in fuel, by a change of boilers, would be great. For washing purposes, a considerable amount would be saved in the wear of clothing, if soft water were used, and also a saving of soap and sal soda. The use of soda, and the amount of rubbing required to properly cleanse the clothing, have a tendency to destroy the fabric in a short time. The weekly wash amounts to from seven to ten thousand pieces. Pure soft water, and in sufficient quantities, is required as a sanitary measure.

In case of fire on the Island, too much cannot be said in favor of a sufficient supply of water. Our present means of extinguishing a fire solely depends upon one old-fashioned hand fire