BIENNIAL REPORT. OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF STATE ORPHANS' HOME, To the Honorable the Legislature of the State of Nevada: GENTLEMEN: Pursuant to the requirements of Section 1485, Compiled Laws of Nevada, the undersigned, Directors of the State Orphans' Home, herewith submit their report and that of the Superintendent of the Home, for the years 1899 and 1900. The Home is now, and has been since May, 1899, under the management of Mr. J. Josephs and wife, who are, respectively, Superintendent and Matron. The children are comfortably clothed, supplied with abundance of wholesome food, kindly treated and educated in the branches usually taught in the public schools. Some of the buildings, which are described in the Superintendent's report hereunto annexed, should be repaired, and it devolves upon your honorable body to make the necessary appropriation for the purpose. The minutes of the Board of Directors disclose the fact that in 1879, Peter Lynch bequeathed $500, James G. Fair donated $300, and the Caledonian Club of Virginia donated $50, to the Orphans' Fund. In 1881 the Directors reported about $1,100 in this fund, of which $959 45 was invested in securities from which cash could be realized on demand. Reference to this fund is made in several of the reports of the Directors up to 1891, when the matter seems to have escaped the attention of the Board and of the Superintendent, though the minutes of the meeting of the Board held in January of that year show that one of the Directors held $400 of the Orphans' Fund, for which a promissory note was given. The present Board found that note, on which no interest has been paid, and $2 40 in cash in the Orphans' Fund, and advised the Executive and Attorney-General of the fact. The note may or may not be collectable, under the statutes, but as that is a question for the Courts to determine, the Directors merely state the facts relating thereto, as shown by the minutes of the Board. A deficiency of $347 70 was unavoidably incurred for the purchase of supplies for the Home at the close of the year 1900. This deficiency was due to the expense of introducing incandescent lights in the Home early in 1900, à change which receives the approval of all who are conversant with the conditions at the Home and the great danger of having coal oil lamps in an institution where there are many children. At least $28,000 will be required for the maintenance of the Home during the years 1901 and 1902. This is $1,000 in excess of the appropriation for 1899 and 1900. In addition, a special appropriation of $2,000, or thereabouts, will be required for the repair of old buildings, and the erection of new buildings in the ensuing two years. Respectfully submitted. D. M. RYAN, Board of Directors. REPORT OF THE HOME SCHOOL. To the Honorable Board of Directors of the State Orphans' Home: In compliance with law, we present our biennial report of the Home School for the years 1899-1900: The course of study followed is that used in the public schools throughout the State. Our classes include all from the first grade to the high school. JO SULLIVAN, Principal, |