6

by their employment. Indeed, within a few days an engagement
has been concluded for the employment of twenty boys of medium
age at a light manufacture, which number will probably be in-
creased to seventy-five or one hundred, as new inmates are com-
mitted by magistrates.                                                                   

In this connection it may be stated that every article of their
clothing is made by the inmates themselves, and in the tailoring
department a little has also been done for outside employers. A
reference to an appended tabular statement will show too, that the
garden and farm have afforded a somewhat profitable employment
for the boys during the past season. The grounds belonging to
the Refuge, for many years lay as a common, and the soil not
being naturally of the best quality, it will require some time to
bring it into productive cultivation. Still, to do this, will be a
special object of attention, and will repay the labor and expense
bestowed, both by the healthful occupation afforded and the sup-
ply of a sufficiency of vegetables for the use of the House.

With the foregoing exposition of the financial condition and
management of the Refuge, the Board may safely submit their
administration to the consideration and judgment of the Legisla-
ture, believing that with the single object of the institution dis-
tinctly understood and constantly kept in view, it will be perceived
that their duties and responsibilities have not been lightly esti-
mated nor carelessly performed. While they feel that their labors
have not been all in vain, neither are they unmindful that much
still remains to be done to perfect the systematic and full efficiency
of their work. It will be made their study, as far as may be, to
cure these deficiencies.

Before closing their report, it is only proper that the Board
should briefly notice the condition of several departments of the
Refuge, at the same time referring to the reports and statements
of the Superintendent and other officers for any required details.

The Ladies' Committee have been efficient helpers, by the per-
formance of their peculiar duties. In their faithful ministrations
they have given good evidence of the interest they feel in the re-
clamation of the female inmates, and besides the consciousness
of well-doing, we trust that they have their reward in seeing that
this interest, as it has been so judiciously exercised, has not been
without its beneficial, and it may be hoped, its lasting results.
Attention is asked to their Report for an expression of their own
sentiments in this regard.

While speaking of this department, it may be added, that the
subject of erecting a separate building for the girls outside of the
present walled enclosure, referred to in our last Report, has lost
nothing of interest by the delay in carrying out the intention.
Indeed the Board are daily more and more convinced of the ab-
solute necessity of such an improvement. The financial difficul-
ties which have affected the country so universally, have preven-