I: The Board feel no less anxious now to complete the buildings than when making their former reports of 1858 and 1860, to which they would again refer, and would only add that the increase in the number of the pupils gives additional force and weight to the reasons heretofore assigned, why appropriations should be made by the Legislature as early as practicable for the completion of all the buildings. The visits of the Board from time to time to the Institution enlist their sympathies in behalf of these unfortunate classes, committed by the State in part to their care, and to them it is a sad thought that for the want of a few thousand dollars more, these pupils, and especially the blind portion of them, should be deprived of the privilege of learning while in the Institution some mechanical trade-deemed so essential by the Board to fit them for usefulness to themselves and to society. Should the Legislature see fit, after appropriating a sum sufficient to defray the ordinary expenses of the Institution for the next two years, to appropriate a further sum for the completion of the buildings, or any portion thereof, and this could be done in the early part of its session, preparations could be made beforehand, and much could be done to the buildings during the next summer's vacation. This course would add much to the convenience of Principal, teachers and pupils. Cold and unpleasant as it is found at this inclement season of the year, a part of the center building, in its unfinished con. dition, is now occupied as a kitchen-a part for a dining-room, and another part for a dormitory. These portions could all be unoccupied without much inconvenience during the summer vacation, and an early appropriation by the Legislature could be so used that these rooms might be completed before the commencement of another school year. The report of the Principal will show that although diseases, usually malignant in their character, and often fatal in their consequences, have, during the past two winters, attacked many of the pupils, yet by the good care and management of those who have had the charge of the sick, under the direction of the at tending physician, and the overruling of a kind and merciful Providence, the resting place of the dead has received but one addition to its numbers from the Asylum during the past two years. The Board believe that much of the good health of the pupils, and their recovery from diseases when attacked, have depended upon the strict attention paid in the Institution to the cleanliness of the pupils, and the good order and neatness of all its departments. The Board, in concluding their report, would say that the Principal has now to assist him a full and able corps of teachers; and we believe that the mental faculties of the pupils are receiving as healthy and rapid a growth as at any former period of the Institution, and that their physical and moral developments are not suffered to be neglected. BENJAMIN PIERSON, JOHN P. LE ROY, JAMES B. WALKER, Trustees. COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. To the Board of Trustees of the Michigan Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, and the Blind: At the time of making the last biennial report, the work of putting in the warming and ventilating apparatus for the use of the school wing and the center building had just been commenced. That work has been completed, and the apparatus has been in successful operation since February, 1861. Steam and water pipes have been laid from the engine house to the river, and a steam pump put in operation, by which all the water needed for the Institution can be supplied. The system of sewerage, mentioned in the last report, has been completed. Extensive repairs have been completed, made necessary by being obliged to put in the brick work connected with the warming and ventilating system in the winter. The Legislature, at its regular session in 1861, made an appropriation for the support of the Institution, and for completing the basement story and the wings of the building. But as the appropriation was based upon taxes to be levied and collected, it has not been possible to draw from the Treasury any more money than was necessary to pay indebtedness, finish the work in progress, make the necessary repairs, and pay the expenses of the Institution. Consequently, nothing has been done towards completing the basement story and the wings. All of which is respectfully submitted. J. B. WALKER, FINANCIAL REPORT. Statement of Receipts and Expenditures for the Michigan Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, and the Blind, for the two fiscal years commencing December 1st, 1860, and ending November 30th, 1862: Paid balance reported due from State, Nov. 30th, 1860, Paid for carpenter and joiner work,.. $6,750 76 953 29 " cutting stone, mason work, and slating,... 7,290 44 hardware, nails, sheet lead, tin-roofing, &c., 1,755 50 Paid for extra steam and water pipe and sockets, |