distinction of having rendered the longest service on record at the Institution. After an employment of such unusual length, Mr. Russell is justly entitled to a change and the best wishes of the Institution go with him. Mr. Samuel C. Dunham who has served in the capacity of Assistant has been promoted to the position of Chief.

Aside from the above there has been few changes in the personnel during the past year.

ATTENDANCE

Our School has been filled to its capacity throughout the year. We have endeavored to keep our population down to 196 which is all that our departments will accommodate according to permits issued by the Board of Health. We have had a number of pressing cases and during the last few weeks of school, we exceeded our allowance by the admission of three pupils who were in very needy circumstances. The need for increased accommodations is just as apparent as ever.

HEALTH

The general health of the pupils during the first part of the year was unusually good. In the winter we had an epidemic of whooping cough among our younger pupils. Dr. Ward administered Pertussis Vaccine which controlled the disease to a marked degree. Every precaution has been taken by Dr. Ward to safeguard the health of the children. All of the pupils are kept vaccinated and during the month of April, the Doctor had the Schick Test applied to the pupils and all reactors were immunized. This we feel is a wise precaution as diphtheria has been prevalent during some season for a number of years past.

Through an arrangement with the Red Cross organization of Buffalo, we were enabled to hold Dental Clinic at the School for about thirty days. Three dentists from Buffalo had charge of this work. All the children's teeth were thoroughly attended to. This, we believe, will have an effect on the general health of the pupils. The accompanying report of the Attending Physician gives all necessary details regarding general health conditions for the year.

AMUSEMENT AND RECREATION

During the past year we have added considerably to our playground equipment. We have swings, slides, an ocean wave, teeters, etc., for the small ones and outdoor basket ball courts and croquet for both boys and girls. During the summer we can get along very nicely, but the Institution is still sadly in need of a gymnasium. We have no place for indoor exercises and recreation during inclement weather. I feel that physical training should play an important part in the organization of any school.

In an institution it is even more necessary than in the public schools since the institution has problems in connection with the social life of its pupils that the public school does not have to contend with. I do not feel that the need of a gymnasium can be too strongly impressed upon the authorities controlling the finances of the State.

SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

The school work has been unusually successful during the past year. I feel that we have had a very efficient corps of teachers who have worked tirelessly in the interest of their pupils. A great deal has been accomplished in our week end programs to develop the work in English. Public speaking has always been one of the most difficult accomplishments for Indian pupils. Our Speaking Contest held in May proved conclusively that the Indian has capabilities along this line and the results were very gratifying to all who were in attendance.

The results throughout the grades have been very satisfactory during the year. Ten completed the course and were graduated. Some of the pupils finished a part of their subjects in January and took high school work the rest of the year. A larger number passed Regents examinations in high school subjects in June than ever before.

The music work has been unusually interesting during the past year. Some of our boys, particularly, have taken special interest in singing and have rendered many very pleasing musical numbers during the year. I feel that our music department is very important not only on account of the special programs that are rendered but because of the work done daily in Chapel and Sunday services. In addition to the usual music work, we began work on the violin during the last half of the year. The privilege of violin lessons is granted as a special reward. Two pupils made splendid progress under the direction of Mr. Francis Jamerson, and rendered a violin duet at one of our special programs during Closing week.

Two special programs were rendered June 25th and 26th, which reflected credit on both pupils and teachers. A fine exhibit of the pupils' work was on display in the Administration Building during the two evenings. This included not only the school work, but the work of the shop and domestic science as well. A great many favorable comments were made by the many visitors who attended our exercises.

AGRICULTURE

Our farm operations have been very satisfactory during the past year. The Steward's report which is appended hereto gives full details in regard to the different departments and shows as a whole, the largest profit that the Institution has ever made on our farm.

We are constantly endeavoring to improve our herd by careful culling and selection. The last tuberculin test applied gave us a clean record.

Our poultry department continues to be a valuable asset to the Institution. For a number of years the Institution has produced all poultry products consumed except turkeys used for Thanksgiving. By proper feeding and by the use of electric lights during the winter season, we have been able to produce eggs at all seasons to meet the needs of the Institution.

Last winter from some unknown source, Hog Cholera was brought to the Institution and resulted in considerable loss. We now have our swine immunized and plan to keep them in that condition in the future.

IMPROVEMENTS AND BETTERMENTS

The Legislature of 1923 granted us a small appropriation for Laundry Equipment. Out of this we were able to install a new washer, dry room tumbler and a 100 inch five roll flatwork ironer. This puts our laundry in very serviceable condition.

While we did not receive any special appropriations except for laundry equipment mentioned above, I feel that we have been able to accomplish a number of improvements of great value to the Institution out of our funds for repairs and alterations. Wright and Ely Cottages for our large girls have been remodeled and the living room doubled in size by partitioning off a portion of the court between the buildings. This has incurred very little expense considering the improvement that has been made.

For a number of years the Institution has requested an appropriation of the Legislature for a new hospital. This need has been apparent to all who are familiar with conditions at the School. Funds were not forthcoming for a new building and conditions at our hospital were so bad that it was not a suitable place to care for our sick children. During the past year we have done considerable work on the old building. The interior of the first floor has been replastered. Quarters have been provided for the nurse near the wards. Floors have been repaired and the exterior painted. The building is now in condition to meet the needs of the Institution for a few years until funds for a new building can be secured.

A new gas range has been installed in the kitchen of the Administration Building and also one in the Main Kitchen. A toaster and broiler has been installed in the Main Kitchen as well. These articles greatly improve the kitchen conditions. A new Bread Slicer which can be operated with safety has been purchased for our Bakery to replace one that was difficult to operate and dangerous.

Floors in the day rooms of Lincoln and Howland Cottages have been in bad condition for some time. These have been repaired and covered with battleship linoleum. The interior of these cot

tages on the first floor has been painted throughout. A new composition floor has been laid in the lavatory and bath rooms of Blaisdell Cottage. The interior of Blaisdell and Jamison cottages has also been painted. The kitchen of the Administration Building has been replastered and considerable painting and redecorating has been done in the Administrative Building and Stewart Hall.

New Jamesway cattle pens have been installed in the dairy barn and the interior of dairy barn has been painted. The exterior of the wagon house, poultry houses, silos and part of dairy barn has been painted. The barn, the basement of which was formerly used as a piggery has been repaired. A new concrete basement has been constructed with a reinforced concrete approach. The interior has been remodeled for use as a cattle barn.

A green house has been constructed back of Power House and so arranged that the waste steam is utilized to heat the building. The Institution has never had a green house before and we find it to be a great advantage.

A direct connected brine pump has been installed in the Cold Storage Plant. This provides two units for circulating brine so that one can be used in case the other needs repairs. Two new pumps have been installed in Power House which enables us to do all our pumping with electricity. Since our direct connected gas engine and generator were installed about a year ago, we have been able to produce current at a very small cost. it is our aim to eliminate the use of steam as far as possible. Considerable effort has been expended in improving the playground equipment for the children. This has been referred to in another paragraph of this report.

So

In my last annual report I proposed a plan whereby worthy pupils who have completed our course here might be enabled to continue their education elsewhere. Through the cooperation of the various departments concerned, this plan has been worked out and I am very much pleased to report that eight or ten boys and girls will be permitted to continue their schooling in a nearby high school.

SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There are many things that could be suggested for improving the work of the School. It has always been the policy of the Board to be as modest as possible in requests for appropriations. I think this policy should be continued. Last year we asked for funds for a gymnasium and hospital. Neither was granted. As explained elsewhere, our hospital has been repaired so that it will serve our purpose for the present. The need of a gymnasium is greater than ever. I know of no other Institution in the State caring for children, that is not provided with some place for physical training. I feel that the Empire State can well afford to provide the small amount necessary to meet this need.

The only other appropriation that I would urge would be for the purchase and installation of a new boiler for our power house to replace one that was transferred here from another Institution about twenty years ago. The Insurance Companies cut down the pressure on this old boiler several years ago and have notified me that it will be necessary to reduce still further the pressure that can be carried.

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would not close this report without referring to Mr. Walter S. Kennedy who served as a member of the Board of Managers for a number of years. Mr. Kennedy was a man of ability and excellent judgment. He was always ready to cooperate in every way for the welfare of the school. In this death I have sustained the loss of a personal friend and a wise counselor.

I feel impressed also to mention the passing of Mrs. Emily P. Lincoln. While Mrs. Lincoln was not at the time of her death, officially connected with the School, her long service here entitles her to a place in this report. We had all hoped for her, many years of peaceful enjoyment and were grieved at her sudden departure.

Dr. Arthur P. Wedge of the Eliot Foundation of Boston, spent considerable time with us during the winter months. Dr. Wedge is one of the foremost in the country along the lines of moral, civic and inspirational work among boys and girls. He is a man of charming personality and the young people soon learn to love him. He devotes practically his entire time to the Federal Schools. This is the first time we have been able to secure his services here. Mrs. Wedge accompanied him on his last visit here and did special work with our girls. We regretted exceedingly that circumstances prevented her spending as much time as her husband. I feel that the influence of their visit will be long felt by the boys and girls of the School.

I wish to express my appreciation to the various ministers who have visited us during the year and conducted services regardless of weather conditions. Special mention is due Rev. J. C. Buchanan of Gowanda for his splendid address to our graduating class June 22nd.

Mr. Arthur C. Parker of the Department of Education made a trip of many miles to address our class on our closing night, June 26th. The large crowd in attendance indicated the high esteem in which Mr. Parker is held. Nearly one thousand people were present. His address delighted all.

Our Christmas season was made unusually happy by the fine presents received from Y. W. C. As. of Bellevue, Pa., Harrisburg, Pa., Peekskill, N. Y. These donations were made possible through the generous efforts of Miss Edith M. Dabb of New York City. The Zenith Club of Buffalo and the Girls' Reserve Club of Masten Park High School, Buffalo, also give us splendid presents. These all helped to make the Christmas season joyous.