EDUCATION: CHILD WELFARE, STATE CARE OF CHILDREN, SPECIAL SCHOOLS, AND INFANT-LIFE PROTECTION. [In continuation of E.-4, 1926.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1927 Session I, E-04

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1927. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: CHILD WELFARE, STATE CARE OF CHILDREN, SPECIAL SCHOOLS, AND INFANT-LIFE PROTECTION. [In continuation of E.-4, 1926.]

Presented, to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command, of His Excellency.

No. I.—EXTRACT FROM THE FIFTIETH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION. CHILD WELFARE. Functions op Child Welfare Branch.. The passing of the Child Welfare Act during 1925 marked an important stage in the progress of child-welfare work as carried out by the State. The Act provided for the creation of the Child Welfare Branch, whose function it is to maintain and train destitute, neglected, and delinquent children and young offenders. In addition to these functions the Branch provides for (1) the training of all afflicted children (deaf and feeble-minded) who cannot remain in their own homes and attend the special day classes for such cases ; • (2) investigations by Child Welfare officers regarding the conduct, family history, and home conditions of all children brought under the notice of Children's Courts, or young persons charged with offences; (3) investigation of all applications for the adoption of children; (4) preliminary inquiry regarding the suitability and bona fides of applicants for widows' pensions ; (5) supervision by experienced female officers of all infants and young children under the age of six years who are maintained apart from their parents or guardians ; (6) the oversight of all young offenders who are placed under supervision by the Children's Courts ; (7) for the supervision of all illegitimate births, to ensure that these infants are properly placed and properly cared for (at the same time the Child Welfare officers carrying out this work endeavour to assist the single mother, where possible, to re-establish herself in the community) ; (8) carrying out preventive work—that is, the investigation and necessary social readjustment in the early stages of any cases brought under notice. The aim of this Branch is to check dependency and delinquency by studying the causes, and by effectively remedying them where possible. Briefly, the functions of the Child Welfare Branch are to prevent wastage in child-life, to provide for social readjustment wherever necessary in the interests of children, and to ensure that the physically and mentally handicapped are educated, trained, and, where possible, suitably placed in industry.

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Children's Courts. Under the provisions of the Child Welfare Act, Children's Courts have been established throughout the Dominion, and special Magistrates appointed to preside over these Courts. Experience in the working of the Courts has shown the need for slight amendments of the original provisions in the direction of clarifying the position as to the Courts' powers in dealing with children charged with indictable offences, and of providing a simplified system for dealing with petty offences. Associates of the Children's Courts. —The Act provides that the personnel of the Court may include Honorary Associates, of either sex, whose function it is to act as the children's friend and generally to advise the presiding Magistrate after each case has been considered. So far, Associates of both sexes have been appointed only in the four large centres, and have proved of very material assistance not only to the Courts but to the Department's Child Welfare Officers, who are at liberty to refer to the Associates for advice and assistance in any cases of difficulty. Assistance is also frequently given afterwards in cases that have been dealt with by the Courts. Child Welfare Officers. —The Act also provides for the appointment of Child Welfare Officers, whose duty it is to investigate each case from a social-welfare standpoint and to furnish the Court with particulars as to family history, conduct, progress at school, degree of mentality, &c. As a rule, at least in the centres, the Child Welfare Officers are identical with the regular field officers of the Branch, but in outlying towns and country districts the services of the local voluntary social workers have been utilized to very great advantage. By this means the Department is endeavouring to enlist the services of local organizations, with the object of dealing with the various classes of children in their own districts, and in their own homes where possible, by private effort directed from the nearest childwelfare centre. The total number of children under the supervision of the Child Welfare Branch at the 31st March, 1927, was 5,592, classed under the following headings : — Boarded out, at service, in receiving-homes, &c. .. .. .. 3,908 Under supervision .. . . .. . . .. . . . . 412 Infant-life protection .. .. .. .. .. . . 878 Deaf children .. . . . . .. .. . . . . 121 Feeble-minded children .. . . .. . . .. .. 273 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,592 The number of children committed to the care of the Superintendent during the year ended 31st March, 1927, was 540, classified according to reason for committal as follows: Destitution, 238; delinquency, 7; detrimental environments, 77 ; not under proper control, 163 ; accused or guilty of punishable offence, 55 ; and in addition 45 were admitted by private arrangement (section 12, Child Welfare Act), 17 were temporarily admitted, and 1 under section 47 of the Infants Act, making a total of 603. Classified according to age at the time of admission the numbers are as follows : Under six months, 52 ; over six months and under one year, 33 ; from one to five years, 141 ; from five to ten years, 131 ; from ten to fourteen years, 143 ; and over fourteen years, 103. Numbers under Control. At the end of the year there were 3,908 children under control (excluding those mentioned under separate headings below), and of these 243 were in residence at Government receiving-homes, probation homes, training-farms, and training institutions, and 56 in private schools ; 1909 children were boarded out in foster-homes, 888 were in situations, and 641 residing under license with relatives and friends. The remainder were in various homes or institutions. Of the boarded-out children 110 are over the age of fourteen years of whom 65 are still attending primary schools, 45 are receiving higher education (30 technical and 15 secondary).

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The children over school age in employment number 780 males, 369 females (included in the total of 3,908). Of the males, 528 are farm-workers (142 skilled in dairy-work and cheesemaking, and 386 competent to milk and carry out general farm-work), 68 are apprentices (of which number some are receiving assistance), and 184 others are employed in various trades. Of the girls, there are 292 domestic workers, 38 factory employees, and 39 engaged in various employments such as shopassistants, nurses, dressmakers, &c. System of Supervision. The number of cases dealt with by the Courts last year was 1,625, and of these 412 were placed under the supervision of Child Welfare Officers or brought under the " Big Brother " scheme as carried out by the Y.M.C.A. The number actually admitted to institutions such as receiving-homes, special schools, training-farm, &c., was 540, but all these, with the exception of 115 who required long periods of training or were regarded as unfit for placing out, were suitably provided for in the community before the close of the year. The remainder of the children were dealt with in a summary manner not calling for supervision by a Child Welfare Officer. Tnfant Life Protection and Adoption of Children (Infants Act, 1908). At the end of the year there were 878 children being maintained in 703 licensed foster-homes. Of these, 564 homes had one child each, 108 had two children each, 27 had three children each, 3 had four children each, and 1 home had five children. The payments by relatives for the maintenance of each child ranged from ss. to £l 10s. a week, the average rate of payment being approximately 16s. a week. Adoptions.—During the year 361 children were adopted, and in 26 of these cases premiums were received by the Department's agents and paid out at the rate of 15s. a week for each child concerned. Of the total number of children adopted, 58 were under the age of six months, 40 between the age of six and twelve months, and 263 between the age of one and six years. Care and Training of Afflicted Children. Deaf Children, Children with Defective Speech, and Mentally Backward Children. — The pupils under instruction at the School for the Deaf, Sumner, during the year numbered 116, and of these 17 were day pupils and 99 boarders. The special day classes in Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin for partially deaf children and for children with speech-defects were continued with highly successful results. About 160 children attended the classes last year. Provision has also been made in these centres and in Christchurch for night classes for the instruction of the adult deaf, 84 persons afflicted in this manner attending the classes for the year ended 31st March, 1927. Special Schools for the Feeble-minded. —There are two such special schools—one at Richmond (near Nelson) for girls, and one at Otekaike (near Oamaru) for boys. The number of girls in residence at Richmond at the end of the year was 71, and the number of boys at Otekaike 190. These institutions are for children who are educable to a certain degree, similar to the type admitted to special classes attached to the public schools, but who for various reasons cannot be provided for in their own homes.

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No. 2.—STATEMENT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE CHILD WELFARE BRANCH FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1927. As stated in the annual report of the Minister of Education, the function of the Child Welfare Branch is to prevent wastage in child-life, to provide for social readjustment wherever necessary in the interests of children, and to ensure that the physically and mentally handicapped are educated, trained, and where possible suitably placed in industry. For the purpose of carrying out this work, and of giving effect to the provisions of the Child Welfare Act, 1925, and the Infants Act, 1908, the Branch has a staff of field officers (both male and female) in each important centre throughout the Dominion. Child-placing System. The majority of the children committed to the care of the State are not detained in institutions, but are boarded out in foster-homes situated mainly in suburban areas and in districts in close proximity to the smaller centres of population. At the end of the year there were 1,909 children boarded out —1,871 from Government receiving-homes and 38 from private industrial schools (Roman Catholic). Arranged according to the ages of the children the numbers at 31st March, 1927, are as follows : Under five years, 384; from five to ten years, 643; from ten to twelve years, 363; from twelve to thirteen years, 208 ; from thirteen to fourteen years, 201 ; and over fourteen years, 110. The rate paid to the foster-parents for the maintenance of each child is 15s. a week, but for infants under twelve months 17s. 6d. a week is paid. Each child is provided with a very complete initial outfit, the foster-parents being required to maintain the clothing at this standard. Medical attendance, medicines, and dentistry are provided by the Department, as also are school-books and school stationery. Upon Child Welfare Officers rests the responsibility of selecting proper homes and of supervising the inmates in these homes. No hard-and-fast rules can be laid down as to the type of home to be selected, or the number of times a home should be visited, or the methods of supervision. Much depends upon the personality, ability, and intuition of the officer concerned. Frequent visiting is advocated in the interests of the children, and as a general rule this is carried out; but the Department arranges a further safeguard by obtaining confidential reports every quarter from the headmasters or class-teachers of the schools which the children attend. Wherever possible, arrangements are also made for local honorary Lady Visitors to visit the foster-homes monthly, or more frequently if necessary, and generally keep a friendly eye on the children concerned. For certain types of dependent children there is no question that the boarding-out system is superior to all other systems of dealing with them. The fact that under the boarding-out system children have the opportunity of growing up as ordinary members of the community under decent conditions is in itself sufficient to commend the system apart from any other consideration in its favour. Associated with child-placing in families, it is essential that there should be cottage homes where remedial treatment and preliminary training in correct habits and discipline may be carried out. This is provided for in the receiving-homes for children and older girls, and in probation homes for boys. As these homes are of limited capacity, the period for which any one child is kept in residence is necessarily limited, but further provision is made at the Boys' Training-farm, Weraroa, and at the Special School for Girls, Caversham, for the accommodation for periods up to twelve months (or longer if necessary) of boys and girls respectively who after several trials at board or in situations fail to do well. The residential training institution is a very necessary part of the system, but no boy or girl is admitted to such an institution until the Department is fully satisfied that no other course is open in the interests of the inmate's future welfare and in the public interest. The success of the system of placing out children in family homes can perhaps be judged best by the fact that a very small number of these young people find their way into institutions such as Weraroa and Caversham. The average number in residence at Weraroa is eighty-four boys, and the average number at Caversham forty-seven girls. These numbers include not only the failures under the placing out-system, but also a considerable number of young lads and girls who are either about or over sixteen years of age when dealt with by the Children's Courts. Cases placed under Supervision by the Children's Court. It is provided in the Child Welfare Act, that in every case where a child appears before the Children's Court investigation must be made by a Child Welfare Officer before the case can be dealt with by the Court. There is provision also for the Court to place children under the supervision of these field officers for definite periods where it is considered that the child or young person concerned can be safely left in his own home or in a home of some relative or friend approved by the Court. From the tables published below it will be seen that during last year 412 children were so dealt with, but thirteen of these eventually proved unsuitable and had to be removed from their homes and placed under direct State control. For the supervision of the majority of these young people the Department desires to acknowledge the valuable assistance rendered by the " Big Brother " movement of the Y.M.C.A. This movement, commenced in Auckland a few years ago, is now established in practically every important centre in the Dominion, and must be regarded as one of the most important contributions by private effort

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in the field of social service. For the successful inauguration of the " Big Brother " system throughout the Dominion the work carried out by Mr. Brasted, the national secretary of the Y.M.C.A., calls for special mention. The numbers quoted above do not by any means represent the total number of lads who have been saved to the community through the constructive work of the " Big Brother " movement. The divisional secretaries have joined wholeheartedly with our own field officers in taking up those cases that come under notice in the early stages, when by friendly guidance and by linking them up with proper youthful associations it is generally possible to save them from becoming perhaps a menace to society. The Roman Catholic authorities in Auckland have also rendered valuable assistance in this connection. A " Big Brother " scheme under Father Bradley has proved helpful to the Department's local officers. It is hoped that this movement also will extend to other centres. In dealing with all matters pertaining to the welfare of the Roman Catholic children who are brought under the notice of our local officers, the assistance given at all times by Archdeacon Holbrook, who has had many years' experience in this work, is very much appreciated, not only by the officers concerned but by the Department. The total number of cases investigated by Child Welfare Officers in the main centres during the year ended 31st March, 1927, and the manner in which the children were dealt with, are set forth in the following table :—

Of the above, 250 were charged with theft, 71 wilful damage, 53 mischief, 9 absconding, 2 indigent, 2 forgery, 10 stone-throwing, 1 truancy, 11 possession of firearms, 4 disorderly conduct, 6 obscene language, 1 no visible means of support, 9 assault, 3 driving without licence, 2 breach of Post and Telegraph Act, 1 breaking and entering, 12 not under proper control, 12 conversion, 2 attempted theft, 2 indecent exposure, 3 receiving, 1 false pretences, 22 breach of Defence Act, 179 breach of bylaw, 1 discharging firearms with intent, 4 neglected, 1 vagrancy, 5 nuisance, 1 smoking : Total offences, 689. In another part of this report the particulars showing the revenue and expenditure in connection with the Costley Training Institution Trust are published. Under the will of the late Edward Costley a sum of money was set aside for the purpose of assisting State children during their periods of apprenticeship, or for purposes enabling such children to receive secondary education. At a later period the purposes of the trust were varied to include any deserving child (not a State ward) who is recommended for assistance by the Department's local welfare officer. As will be seen from the particulars under the heading " Expenditure," the trustees are spending practically the whole of the income from the trust in assisting deserving cases. Many a boy or girl has reason for thankfulness that there is such a fund from which assistance is available, and that the trustees are sympathetic and prepared to grant assistance wherever possible. By an arrangement with the Auckland Branch of the Y.M.C.A. a Home providing accommodation for not less than ten was established in Auckland, and to this Home the Department, after careful selection, admitted twelve State wards, who are now receiving secondary education. For each boy so maintained a contribution is made from the Costley Trustees. On the one hand, the Y.M.C.A. is responsible for the general management of the Home and the supervision generally of the boys, while, on the other hand, the Department's welfare officer watches the progress of the boys at the secondary school. The system is working exceedingly well, and, thanks to the personal and generous interest taken in the scheme by the trustees of the fund and the officials of the Y.M.C.A., every opportunity is given the boys to become decent and useful citizens.

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a At 3 S3 • •'S a • '2 IS . *f ks £ . 43 £ £ « £ *5 2 By-law Cases. - & -8 +9 O I g ! g d tn CO i .2 .£ _: .E P si P« Qj «H a — 3 M 2 T3 £ " w O g -e & « o s * - 3 s 8 o>g 2 O 1 "5 a 73 -a « 'S B ■at). District. %. 4 •& . * t « tS * . § § S» rf « „| a . I §1 |1^« 11 ! ? 1 g ~|§ g ! !f ?S ■§ •§ lis « |S S | | . |5S i S" 3^ g| S Sri J | »|| I I 12> 2 ? S«| Sfl S3 •§ I 1-8 -2-g g-gi - 5 .§ -2 ° «3 S s 3 'So ">« > > &oS 5.2 c 5 § hS § a i 3 53 « * ■§* g "§* 5 °*>® g § &S g-g g g g£$ g* gee g . g<a | fl <j Q HOM o Q o North Auckland .. j 22 ..J .. .. 4 [ .. ..!..' ! .. ..!..! .. I .. .. 26 Auckland .. j 106 3 2 6 3 1 2 i ,. ! .. .. .... .. .. ; ' .. .. 21 144 South Auckland .. j 22 ..' 2 4 .. .. .. | 2 ] . . 1 2 .. .. : .. . . .. .. j . . j .. . . 33 Taranaki .. I 6 .. 4 1 .. ..-..! 4 | .. 6 ...... 3 3 I 1 .... i 14 ! .. . . 42 Hawke's Bay .. 17 .. 7 2 1 .. ,. j 1 1 3:3.. 3 .. '..!.. 5 43 Palmerston North 8 .. 16 2 1 4 1 ...... ..!..: .. 1 33 Wellington 22 1 11 8 18 1 .. 4 6 j .. 10 1 2 | .... 1 8 ! 4 5 102 Nelson .. .. 91 4.. 2 .... 1 .. 412 | .. j ...... 8 .. .. 32 West Coast . . 34 .. 3 . . .. .. j . . 3 j 6 . . 46 North Canterbury 28 1 1 5 3 1 .. j .. .. 2 .. .. .. .. 1 11 69 1 20 143 South Canterbury 3 .. 1 2 j .. j .. , ..j 1 •• 7 Otago .. .. 9 1 1 8 | .. .. | j 2 21 Southland .. 8 1 1 7 . . .. | .. . • ■ • 17 Totals .. 294 6 50 33 48 j 4 2 | 16 j 2 22 j 6 . 12 j 10 J 5 1 1 12 j 99 12 54 689 Note. —In addition to the above there were 540 children committed by the Courts (see Tables 14 and 15 and also footnote to Table 17). There were also 412 children placed under supervision by the Courts. (13 of this number were later committed.)

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Assisted Service, Higher Education, and Employment of State Children over School Age. At the 31st March, 1927, there were 156 inmates at service receiving assistance (assisted service in most cases refers to apprenticeship). There were 45 children receiving higher education — 30 secondary and 15 technical. In addition, there were 65 children over the age of fourteen years still attending the public schools and being maintained by the Department. Nature of Employment at 31st March, 1927, of Boys having left School. At the 31st March, 1927, there were 528 farm-workers —142 skilled in dairy and farm work, and 386 competent to carry out general farm-work. There were 68 boys apprenticed as follows : 10 cabinetmakers, 7 carpenters, 5 bootmakers, 5 motor mechanics, 4 electrical engineers, 4 bakers, 2 painters, 2 ironmoulders, 2 wire-workers, 2 motor engineers, 2 motor-car painters, 2 monumental masons, 2 coachbuilders, 2 engineers, 2 upholsterers, 2 plumbers, 3 plasterers, 1 french-polisher, 1 tinsmith, 1 glass-beveller, 1 jockey, 1 bricklayer, 1 sheet-metal worker, 1 cadet civil engineer, 1 probation teacher, 1 blacksmith, 1 bookbinder. Boys otherwise employed (not apprenticed) totalled 184, as follows: 62 labourers, 28 factory employees, 24 shop-assistants, 17 drivers, 10 clerks, 7 carpenters, 7 railway employees, 6 motor mechanics, 3 warehouse employees, 3 seamen, 3 postal employees, 2 bootmakers, 2 painters, 1 baker, 1 plumber, 1 tailor, 1 plasterer, 1 fisherman, 1 errandboy. Nature of Employment at 31st March, 1927, of Girls having left School. There were 292 domestics, 38 factory employees, 3 clerks, 7 tailoresses, 3 upholsterers, 2 bookbinders, 4 laundry hands, 5 waitresses, 6 dressmakers, 6 shop-assistants, 2 nurses, and 1 teacher. This gives a total of 369 girls in employment. Preventive Work. An important part of the work of Child Welfare Officers, District Agents, Boarding-out Officers, and Lady Managers of Receiving-homes is that of adjusting conditions in homes and in connection with families in order to prevent the committal of children to the care of the State. As time goes on our district offices are gradually assuming the role of child-welfare bureaux of information and adjustment. The police, school-teachers, and social organizations frequently refer to our officers for information and for assistance in the matter of adjusting undesirable or unfavourable conditions in homes where there are children, and in fact parents whose children are difficult to manage or are uncontrollable avail themselves of the services of our officers for the purpose of supervision and friendly guidance. A timely visit of a Welfare Officer frequently saves a child from further trouble. Very often it is found that the parents are at fault, and in these cases the officer's duty is to point out plainly and clearly the parental obligations and responsibilities. It is gratifying to find that these visits frequently have satisfactory results. The following table shows the number of preventive cases notified by officers in the various districts during the year ended 31st March, 1927. , . , Number of Number of lsWlct - Families. Children. North Auckland . . . . . . . . 17 54 Auckland . . . . . . . . . . 11 11 South Auckland .. .. . . .. .. 15 25 Wanganui . . . . .. .. . . . . 7 35 Hawke's Bay . . . . .. . . . . 20 41 Palmerston North . . . . . . .. 9 9 Wellington . . . . .. .. . . 25 36 Nelson .. .. .. .. .. 24 31 West Coast .. .. .. .. .. 14 .22 North Canterbury . . . . .. . . 23 49 South Canterbury . . .. .. . . 22 63 Otago .. .. . . . . .. . . 16 19 Southland .. .. . . . . . . 37 102 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 240 497 Admissions during the Year ended 31st March, 1927. The following table shows the new admissions according to age : — Boys. Girls. Totals. Under six months . . .. . . .. 26 26 52 Over six months and under one year .. . . 24 9 33 One year to five years . . .. .. 71 72 143 Five years to ten years . . .. . . 78 55 133 Ten years to fourteen years .. .. . . 94 50 144 Over fourteen years .. .. .. .. 63 35 98 Totals .. .. .. .. 356 247 603 Table 6 attached to this report shows the new admissions classified according to the causes of admission. Of the total number (603), 238 were destitute, 164 not under proper control, and 55 had been charged with punishable offences. Of the children admitted under these headings 298 were placed out in foster-homes before the 31st March.

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Table 9 gives particulars of the character or state of the parents at the time of the admission of the children. From this table I have selected the following figures showing (1) the number of children of drunken parents, and (2) the number of children of feeble-minded parents : — Admission of Children on account of the Drinking Habits of one or both Parents. Drunken mother . . . . . . . . . . 7 Drunken father .. . . . . .. .. 25 Both parents drunkards .. . . .. .. 9 41 Admission of Children on account of the Mental Deficiency of one or both Parents. Mentally deficient mother .. .. . . . . 19 Mentally deficient father .. .. . . . . 1 Both parents defective mentally . . .. .. . . .. Nil 20 An analysis of the new admissions for last year, grouped according to the characters or state of the parents at the time of admission, is interesting, for the results seem to indicate that, generally speaking, the child who is admitted on account of destitution or orphanhood, or whose parents have deserted him, comes either from an undesirable home or from morally unwholesome surroundings ; while, on the other hand, the child who commits an offence against the law and is regarded as a delinquent comes almost invariably from a good home. On more than one occasion the Department has been criticized for permitting orphans and destitute children to remain even as a temporary measure in the various probation or adjustment homes where juvenile delinquents are also detained, but in view of the facts disclosed in the following tables it is evident that in some instances at least there is need rather to protect the young offender from the pernicious influence of the orphan or destitute child who may have been rescued from drunken or immoral home conditions. For purposes of comparison three tables have been prepared showing —(1) Children admitted on account of destitution ; (2) children found to be not under proper control, or reported as uncontrollable by the parents ; and (3) children charged with offences against the law. In each case the parents have been divided into the following groups : (1) Dead, deserter or unknown ; (2) good character ; (3) bad or questionable character, including drunkards, feeble-minded, or physically unfit. Particulars of Parentage : Admissions for Year ended 31st March, 1927. 238 destitute children, representing 157 families. Character of parents described as —

163 uncontrollable children, representing 108 families. Character of parents described as —

55 children accused or guilty of offences, representing 54 families. Characters of parent described as —

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Bad, Questionable, Dead, Deserter, or „ , j Drunkards, FeebleTJnknown. "* ooc ' ' minded, and Physically Unfit. Father ........ 81 13 31 Mother ........ 9 51 65 Both parents ...... 10 13 9

Bad, Questionable, Dead, Deserter, or „ , Drunkards, FeebleUnknown. tOOC ' minded, and Pliysically Unfit. Father ........ 24 20 23 Mother ........ 16 26 25 Both parents .. 4 29 8

Bad, Questionable, Dead, Deserter, or „ , Drunkards, Feeble - Unknown. I 700 ' minded, and ! | Physically Unfit. Father .. .. .. .. 8 4 7 Mother ........ 5 11 5 Both parents ...... 3 27 4

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Schools for the Feeble-minded. Numbers at 31st March, 1927.

Particulars of Expenditure for the Year 1926-27.

The net expenditure lor the year 1925-26 was £11,745 9b ; the recoveries for the year compared with the previous year show an increase of £569 10s. 4cl. Preventive Work and Co-operation with Private Organizations. In its work of prevention and social readjustment the Child Welfare Branch endeavours to co-operate with all private organizations engaged in social service in the interests of children. Experience indicates that there is great need for co-ordination of all social-service efforts : not only would it be more economical from the taxpayers' point of view, for it would prevent much overlapping, but co-ordination would result in the adoption of definite uniform standards in social-welfare work. The mere fact of bringing together the various officers of Government and voluntary systems for the purpose of discussing one another's problems would have a beneficial effect. So far as the Department can ascertain there are approximately eighty-five private institutions for children throughout the Dominion, and the number maintained therein about four thousand. The number of institutions for children in proportion to the population is very large in New Zealand, and from information obtained by the Department it appears that fully 87 per cent, of the children in these institutions have either one or both parents living. The cause of so many children whose parents are living being admitted to institutions may be due to —(1) Adverse economic conditions ; (2) difficulty in providing housing accommodation ; (3) domestic differences ; or (4) a tendency on the part of parents to delegate their natural responsibilities and to take the easiest course offering. In deciding on admissions to any kind of institution whatsoever it is essential that parents who are physically able to do so should not be relieved, except perhaps temporarily, of the responsibility of maintaining and caring for their children. The moral effect on some of the parents at least who are relieved without very good cause must be bad, and is bound indirectly to reflect itself upon the community generally. On the other hand, it is considered, that home life is the most precious heritage of every child, and no effort should be spared to keep the home together. It is generally recognized that the institution, however well conducted, cannot take the place of the natural home, however humble. While the number of institutions for children in New Zealand is perhaps a somewhat striking commentary on the lack of a realization of parental responsibility, yet this great movement is indicative of the tremendous efforts that have been made in recent years in social-service work by every recognized religious denomination in the Dominion. Those who come in contact with these private organizations cannot but be impressed by the spirit and remarkable interest of the workers in all these institutions, and the Government recognized that it would be a mistake to take any action that might tend to discourage private effort in the matter of providing for children to whom the natural protection and wise guidance of parents have been denied,

Richmond. I Otekaike. T + i (Girls.) ! (Boys.) j ' Lota1 ' In residence .. .. . . .. .. 71 190 261 On vacation .. .. .. .. .. 4 1 5 At service .. .. . . .. ... .. 2 2 In hospital In probation homes .. .. .. .. .. 5 5 Missing Totals ., .. .. .. | 75 198 273

Item. Otekaike. I Richmond. Total. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Salaries .. .. .. .. 5,441 17 3 1,790 7 7 7,232 4 10 Advertising .. .. .. .. 15 15 11 4 18 6 20 14 5 Maintenance of buildings .. . . .. 251 17 7 233 0 5 484 18 0 Maintenance of institutions .. .. 4,575 1 3 1,483 2 4 6,058 3 7 Contingencies .. .. .. .. 220 .. 220 10,286 14 0 3,511 8 10 13,798 2 10 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. .. 4,888 12 3 14,286 15 1 Less recoveries .. .. .. .. .. 2,962 18 11 Net cost to Department .. .. .. .. 11,323 16 2

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Generally speaking, the private institutions of the Dominion have many things in common, but practically all of them retain their individuality and are working out their problems in different ways. It is at this stage in the development of these institutions that it is considered that there should be closer relationship with the Child Welfare Branch of the Education Department, which deals with all types of children under a Dominion-wide scheme. In dealing with children the policy of the Child Welfare Branch is to place them, wherever possible, in suitable family homes, and to reserve the institution for the child who requires intensive training, or for various reasons is not fit to associate with ordinary children at a public school. The private organization has not yet arrived at the stage when the need for preventive work, child-placing, and. vocational guidance has been fully realized. Both systems, however, represent adjacent zones of social service whose boundaries are undefined and whose tasks intermingle. It is not proposed that there should be any line of demarcation between child-helping work that should be carried out by the State and that which should be administered by private effort. While the State's activities must perforce be confined within certain limits, yet on the other hand the private agency is in the position to enter undeveloped and experimental fields of activity in the interests of the children. For such work the advice and guidance of the experienced social workers employed by the State should be available. Street Trading. The Act of 1925 provides that regulations may be issued for the supervision of street trading and attendance of children at places of public amusement. These, lam sorry to say, have not yet been issued, due mainly to the fact that the time of the field, staff of the Child Welfare Branch is fully taken up with the additional work in carrying out the other provisions of the Act. In the meantime, however, additional information on this subject has been obtained from the Australian States where regulations are already in force. Children's Courts. A certain amount of confusion has arisen in dealing with children charged with indictable offences. The Child. Welfare Act, 1925, gives Magistrates very wide discretionary powers in dealing with all children, but in some cases Magistrates have elected not to deal finally with certain types of charges. The intention of the Act was to provide a simplified and quick method of dealing with children, no matter what the charge, in a manner quite different from the system adopted in the Courts set up for the trial of adult offenders. In other countries it is now recognized that a child offender should not be treated as a criminal, but should be regarded, as a general rule, as a victim of his environment. It follows, therefore, that the State should protect him and provide safeguards for his well-being. If the spirit of the Act is to be carried out it is essential that in the procedure to be followed in the Children's Court every care should be taken to protect the child from undue publicity and to eliminate part at lea.st of the practice followed in other Courts, of having the charge read, of requiring the accused to plead, of asking if willing to have the charge dealt with summarily, of taking evidence on oath, and of registering a conviction, &c. Some of the Courts have dispensed with the most of these formalities, but in others the criminal procedure is still followed. In the matter of publicity the views of Magistrates differ. In the Act it is laid down that no proceedings are to be published without the consent of the Magistrate. Some consider that nothing should be published regarding children's cases, and with this view the Department agrees. In the case of an adult the publication of proceedings, particularly the punishment administered, probably does act as a deterrent, but in the case of children it is the Department's experience that publicity serves no good purpose and in many cases may be harmful. The following extract is interesting, for it represents the views of one of the senior Magistrates in the South Island.: — " Publicity.—Should reporters be allowed to be present in the Court ? Reporters have not been allowed in the Children's Court here, nor has there been any request for their admission. My view, which is completely endorsed by my associates, is that the presence of reporters is objectionable, a-nd in many cases calculated to be embarrassing and foreign to the informal atmosphere which should obtain in a Children's Court. Only the immediate parties should be present at the hearing of any charge. We are also opposed to publication of reports, which we consider serves no good purpose and is in many cases distinctly mischievous, particularly in view of the raciness of modern reporting. If there is any real public demand for a knowledge of what is done this could be supplied by a colourless report by the Clerk, merely stating the charge and result without any details of evidence. One argument in favour of publicity is that otherwise you create a Star Chamber. As regards this I desire to emphazise that the Children's Court is a special tribunal with a special procedure, and that there is no analogy between a Children's Court and an ordinary Criminal Court. The real function of the Court is not to decide whether a particular offence has been committed, but to consider the welfare of the child in view of all the surrounding circumstances. The Court may commit or otherwise deal with the child without hearing the charge, or even if the charge is not proved. The constitution of the Court should be a sufficient safeguard." Another practice that lias caused a good deal of comment is the fact that in some of the Children's Courts the police attend in uniform and really conduct the prosecution, as in the adult, Courts. It is difficult to understand why it is necessary for the police to attend in any guise, except perhaps as witnesses in the few cases where the child does not admit the offence. In other countries the duty of the police ends when the case is reported to the Welfare Officer, who then makes the necessary investigation not only in relation to the particular charge but also in regard to the child's conduct, family history, environment, mentality, and any other relevant matters that will assist the Court in dealing with the child. There seems to be no reason why a similar system should not be adopted in

2—E. 4.

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New Zealand. However, it is not considered that the question of whether the police should appear in uniform or not in Children's Courts is one for legislation, or, in fact, a matter of any great importance. If the above proposal was carried into effect, together with the proposed provision in the Bill now before Parliament, for trivial offences to be dealt with by the Magistrates in consultation with the Welfare Officer concerned without requiring the attendance of children in the Courts, the need for the police to attend Children's' Courts would be practically eliminated. Illegitimate Children. The vital statistics in most countries reveal the fact that the death-rate of illegitimate infants is considerably higher than the death-rate of infants born in wedlock. As a result we find that in countries such as the United States, Canada, Norway, Denmark, and the States of Australia protective social measures have been introduced with the object of providing for (1) pre-natal care of the single mother ; (2) early notification of birth of child ; (3) establishment of paternity ; (4) supervision of child if placed apart from mother ; (5) assistance to mother in obtaining adequate assistance from father for support of child. The experience in New Zealand in this direction is in no way different from the experience in other countries, as the following official infantile tables will indicate :—

Deaths.

In the reports published by tlie Health Department the suggested reasons for the relatively high death-rate of illegitimate infants are as follows : (1) Psychological condition of the unmarried mother prior to confinement; (2) lack of pre-natal care, and ignorance on the part of the unmarried mother ; (3) frequent lack of post-natal care of the unwanted baby. It is suggested that any remedial measures seem to be along the lines of social work among women and girls, and extended teaching of sex hygiene, and increased measures for combating venereal disease. As far as the pregnant single mother is concerned, there are several rescue homes in the Dominion where such cases are admitted, and kept with their infants for periods up to six months in most cases ; but in a great many cases the girls find their way into private homes where they remain for ten days or a fortnight, and are then obliged to leave with their babies, with no resources to fall back upon, and have to make the best arrangements possible for themselves and their babies. Frequently the girl's relatives are not willing to assist, and if she is without means and has obtained no help from the father of the child she may seek a situation where she can have her child with her; but invariably she seeks the quickest and the easiest method of placing the responsibility of looking after the child upon the shoulders of others. In her efforts to hand the child over to others the mother may secure the assistance of the midwife managing the unregistered home, who, with no real interest in the child, may arrange for it to be adopted or placed in some unsuitable home frequently as the result of an advertisement. There is no doubt that a certain amount of trafficking in babies is carried out by means of advertisements in newspapers, and the consensus of expert opinion is that this method of exploitation should be prohibited by law. In other countries —Western Australia, for instance—it is an offence to advertise the offer either to take charge of or to hand over any infant for adoption or for any other purpose without the authority of the Welfare Department. If the infant is placed in a foster-home the keeper of the home has to be registered under the Child Welfare Branch of the Education Department, and the welfare of the child supervised by trained nurses. It frequently happens, however, that the mother, through ignorance probably, endeavours by every other means to dispose of her infant before resorting to placing it in a home that has to be registered and supervised by the State. Even where an infant has been placed in a family home it frequently happens that the woman does not seek registration. The experience is that the illegitimate infants that come under the Department's supervision are more or less impaired in health, the result of neglect (not always wilful) and ignorance as to proper feeding and care. Notwithstanding this fact, the number of deaths among illegitimate infants supervised by the State is unusually low. Last year, for instance, of the 559 infants born during the year and supervised in licensed homes, there were no deaths. The very high death-rate, and the large number of children who ultimately come under the notice of our officers, suffering from malnutrition and other results of want of proper care, were some of the reasons that led to the provision in the Child Welfare Act for the supervision of illegitimate births by Child Welfare Officers.

Legitimate. Illegitimate. eaI ' j Death-rate ! Death-rate Births. Deaths, j per 1,000 Births. Deaths, j per 1,000 Live Births. Live Births. 1921 .. .. 27,309 1,248 45-70 1,258 118 93-80 1922 .. .. 27,782 1,129 40-64 ' 1,224 86 70-26 1923 .. .. 26,707 1,143 42-80 1,260 82 65-08 1924 .. .. 26,676 1,033 .38-60 j 1,338 94 70-20 1925 .. .. 26,821 1,056 39-33 : 1,332 69 51-80 1926 .. .. 28,270 1,054 37-28 1,473 78 52-95 I

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Under the Registration of Births Act the keeper of a home has to notify the local Registrar within forty-eight hours of the fact that a male or female child has been born, and the name and address of the mother, but nothing more. Registration of birth may be completed any time within sixty days of the birth. It is the experience of the responsible officers of the Department that it is during the early months after birth that assistance and supervision are most needed if the infant is separated from its mother, or if the mother finds it difficult for economic reasons to keep her baby. It is considered, therefore, that illegitimate births—or, in fact, all births—should be registered within fourteen days, so that the particulars of illegitimate cases would be available in time for the Welfare Officer to get into communication with the mother before she leaves the inlying home or hospital. If the mother has relatives to go to, or if she is able to keep the baby and care for it, there is no need for the Welfare Officer to interfere in the matter at all; but where the mother has no friends and little money these officers are able to help her not only to find a suitable home for her baby, but also in the matter of advice as to employment, &c., and the steps necessary to procure payment from the father of the child. Since the Act came into force on the Ist April, 1926, the Welfare Officers have investigated all the cases notified, and, with the exception of a few cases that could not be traced, have, wherever necessary, assisted the mother in placing her child. It is too soon yet to expect any great results, but next year it is hoped that information will be available showing what has been accomplished in the direction of reducing the comparatively high death-rate among these unfortunate infants.

No. 3. —SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR BOYS, OTEKAIKE. ANNUAL REPORT OF MANAGER. Sir, — I beg to submit herewith my report for the year ended 31st March, 1927 : — On the 31st March, 1927, the number of boys in residence was 190, as against 196 on the Ist April, 1926. During the year fifteen boys were placed at service, thirteen were returned to friends, seven were placed at board, four were transferred to the Boys' Training-farm, Weraroa, three were admitted to a mental hospital, and two were transferred to the Boys' Home, Dunedin, in order to undergo treatment at the public hospital. Thirty-six new pupils were admitted ; one boy who was returned from service during the year was in residence on the 31st March, 1927, and one boy who was on vacation on the Ist April, 1926, returned during the year. In the industrial department the inmates were employed in farm, garden, and orchard work, bootmaking and repairing, coir-mat making, seagrass-furniture making and basketmaking, sawmilling, and domestic work (laundry, kitchen-work, &c.). The average daily number of boys in this group was eighty, with a chronological age of sixteen years and upwards, and an average mental age of eight years. The farm supplied the requirements of the institution in fresh milk, butter, meat, and potatoes. The garden produced an abundant supply of fresh vegetables in addition to a sufficient quantity of fruit for jam, &c. In the boot-shop the boots required by the inmates during the year were made, together with the horse and cow covers required on the farm, and all the repairs necessary to boots, harness, &c., were carried out. In the basket-shop articles of basketware, seagrass furniture, and coir mats to the value of £323 were made for disposal. The sawmill provided building-timber for various works about the institution in addition to fruit-case timber, &c., for disposal locally. There is an attendance of 110 boys at the day school, and the average I.Q. of the school is 0-64. Classification throughout the school is fourfold in character —(1) Physical, (2) manual, (3) musical, (4) mental. 1. Physical. In the school curriculum special importance is given to physical work. The forms of training, as diversified as possible, are as follows : Swedish drill, rhythmic movements, eurythmics, folk and step dancing, organized games and sport. For this work the boys are graded into four groups — senior, intermediate, junior, and infant —according to their physical development, and irrespective of their intelligence quotient and scholastic attainment. The infant squad has the play exercises, rhythmic movements, and eurythmics of the simplest infant public-school classes. The work of each squad increases in difficulty, so that when the child reaches the senior squad he is trained in Swedish drill of Standard VI (public school) grade, step-dancing, difficult rhythmic work, football, &c. 2. Manual. As the subnormal child will be capable of earning his living only by means of manual occupation, hand-training must hold an important place in the curriculum. As many forms of handwork as possible are taught, and the afternoon period is devoted to manual work and to music.

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The manual groups are four in number —senior, intermediate, junior, and infant. The classification is based on the child's muscular co-ordination and temperamental development, irrespective of physique, intelligence quotient, or scholastic attainment: e.g., a child whose scholastic classification is PI or P2, but whose muscular co-ordination is particularly good, or whose temperament is such that infant-room occupations, methods, and control are too childish for him, will receive training in either the intermediate or senior manual class. The occupations of the manual classes are as follows :— Infant Class : (1) Plasticine-modelling ; (2) drawing (chalk and crayon) ; (3) bead-threading ; (4) block-building ; (5) sand-tray work ; (6) gardening (flower) ; (7) paper and raffia weaving ; (8) paper-folding ; (9) card-sewing ; (10) sewing ; (11) canvas work ; (12) knitting. Junior Class: (1) Plasticine-modelling; (2) knitting slippers and garments; (3) darning; (4) card-sewing; (5) sewing ; (6) canvas work ; (7) matmaking ; (8) raffia work ; (9) drawing (crayon) ; (10) gardening (flower). Intermediate Class: (1) Drawing; (2) brushwork ; (3) stencilling; (4) darning; (5) raffia work ; (6) gardening (flower). Senior Class : (1) Raffia and pine-needle work ; (2) traymaking ; (3) darning ; (4) drawing and design ; (5) leatherwork ; (6) gardening (vegetable). When -boys have attained the age of fourteen to sixteen years, and have advanced in school-work as far as their mental capacity will allow, if custodial cases they are transferred to the industrial division of the institution, but if of higher grade of mentality they are transferred to a full-time manual-training class. The aim of this full-time manual class is to train the boys to be self-reliant and generally useful, so that later they will be able to take their place in the world. Besides learning gardening, raffia, tray, and leather work, these boys learn to use common tools —hammer, saw, plane, &c. —and do odd rough carpentry work about the school—making tables, &c. They also learn domestic work, act as message-boys, have charge of the school furnace, &c. On these boys is thrown much of the responsibility of school government. They are encouraged to be self-governing in every way, and expected to be of direct assistance to those in charge. Before these boys leave the institution to become farm-workers under the supervision of a Child Welfare Officer they, after school hours, are taught milking in the industrial division of the institution. 3. Musical. Music lends brightness and interest to the life of the subnormal child to whom intellectual pleasures are denied. Every effort, therefore, is made to develop in the child an appreciation of music. Singing is a special feature of the school-work. For this training the children are graded into three groups —senior, junior, and infant. The infant class is composed of young children and children of low grade of intelligence who enjoy singing-games, nursery-rhymes, &c. ; the junior class is composed of the boys who will benefit from simple vocal exercises and simple songs ; the senior class is composed of the boys capable of benefiting from more advanced musical training —more difficult voice-training exercises, and songs, standard, national, and sacred. These formal singing-lessons, however, by no means exhaust the musical work. During the handwork period constant use is made of the gramophone, and when not listening to this music the children sing at their work folk-songs, choruses, &c. 4. Mental. To ascertain the scholastic attainment of each child on admission he is given a thorough school test. As soon as he has settled down and the school environment is no longer strange to him the following mental tests are given : (1) Stanford revision of the Binet-Simon test, to discover, as accurately as possible, the child's intellectual capacity ; (2) Porteous maze ; and (3) Pintner-Patterson performance tests, to ascertain his industrial or mechanical ability. These mental tests are again administered whenever it is deemed desirable. The result of these tests (scholastic and mental) determines tentatively the scholastic classification of the child. In the education of the subnormal child temperament is an important factor. Careful observation of the child, therefore, shows if his tentative classification is satisfactory. If it be unsatisfactory a change of classification and control is made. The present number of classes is nine, ranging from elementary infant-work on individual lines to Grade 4 (simplified Standard IV work). Morning school is devoted to physical and mental work. The following subjects hold chief place of importance in the curriculum : English (including reading, recitation, speech-training, spelling, sentence-construction, and letter-writing), writing, and arithmetic (concrete and practical). A general-knowledge class for the older, higher-grade boys has been formed. Poster-work stimulates the interest of the pupils in this class-work. Free occupation classes for the intermediate and senior manual classes are held after school hours. Free choice of tools and material is given, and the boys make whatever their inclination dictates — the only restriction placed on the child being economy of material, care of tools, and the completion of any work commenced. During the year the general health of the inmates has been excellent. The Director of Education. W. Meikleham, Manager.

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No. 4.—SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, RICHMOND. ANNUAL REPORT OF MATRON. Sir,— The number of children on the school roll as at the Ist April, 1926 was seventy - seven. This number included three temporary admissions and two on vacation. During the year twenty - five admissions took place —seventeen temporary admissions and eight new pupils. Twenty-two left, including all temporary admissions, making a total of 103 persons passing through this period. The school-work has progressed satisfactorily, the girls receiving instruction in all branches of needlework, cane and raffia and marquetry work. This feature of school-work is developing on good lines, apparent in the increase of orders received during the year for this class of work. The older girls are also being trained in various domestic and gardening work, and, as in other periods, the assistance received from this source is very valuable. The games and recreation section has been very beneficial in making for improved general alertness and activity of movements amongst the pupils. We are, as formerly, indebted to Mrs. Morrow for the use of a furnished house at the seaside (Tahuna), enabling all the children to have a holiday at the seaside. The Nelson Gala Committee also entertained the children at Nelson on Gala Day. These kindnesses are much appreciated by all concerned. The children attend Divine service at the local Anglican Church, and the Rev. Mr. Daynes, Vicar of Richmond visits and imparts religious instruction to the children one day weekly. Mr. Parker and nurse of the schools dental clinic visited the school during the year, examining the teeth of the pupils and carrying out all necessary dental work. The health of the pupils has been satisfactory, no case of illness occurring during the year. I am, &c., L. F. Williams. The Director of Education.

No. S.—SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF, SUMNER, REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. Sir, — I have the honour to lay before you my report for the year ending 31st March, 1927. Data relating to the number of pupils on the roll is set out in tabulated form hereunder : — Boys. Girls. Total. Pupils on the roll as on Ist April, 1926 .. . . .. 57 56 113 Admitted during the year .. . . . . ..14 9 23 Left during the year .. .. .. . . 11 4 15 Resident pupils, 31st March, 1927 . . .. .. 51 50 101 Day pupils, 31st March, 1927 . . . . . . 7 10 17 On the roll but temporarily absent . . .. 2 2 4 On the roll as on 31st March, 1927 .. .. 60 62 122 The numbers attending the special classes in connection with this school in Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin as on 31st March, 1927 were — Auckland. Wellington. Dunedin. Children .. . . .. .. 23 26 28 Adults .. .. .. .. .. 25 20 12 From my personal observation of these special classes I am satisfied that good work was done in the cure of speech-defects, in the treatment of stammering, and in the instruction of the adult deaf in the art of lip-reading. The Christchurch class for the adult deaf carried on unofficially by two assistant teachers and myself had an average attendance of eighteen. It is gratifying to report that the health of the pupils during the year was very satisfactory, no break in the work of any consequence having been caused by sickness. During the year a new sleeping-out shelter for the boys was erected adjacent to the Boys' Home. Its erection has relieved the congestion in the old shelter and has provided accommodation to meet the probable requirements of some years to come. I regret to record that last December Miss H. Heinzmann, assistant teacher, met an untimely death by the explosion of petrol. I greatly deplore her loss, as she gave promise of becoming an efficient teacher. Her place on the stafi has been taken by Miss Doris Field.

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I regret to say that the school has lost by resignation the services of Miss E. G. B. Bowden, assistant teacher in charge of the special class in Dunedin. Miss Bowden was an able and conscientious teacher, and I greatly regret her departure from the service. lam glad to report that the special class in Wellington was reopened last June. This was made possible by the recovery from a prolonged illness of Miss R. M. A. Grant, teacher in charge. Of the work of the school during the year I can with some confidence say that it maintained the standard of former years. Those pupils who left last December have found employment in various occupations. Two or three are on farms, one is employed gardening, and one is in the sorting-room in the Post Office. During the year the usual curriculum was followed, the highest class doing work similar to that of the Fifth Standard in a public school. Recently the school was visited by Sir. W. W. Bird, Chief Inspector of Primary Schools. I am, &c., The Director of Education. J. M. B. Crawfobd, Director. Expenditure on the School foe the Deaf, 1926-27. £ s. d. £ s. d. Salaries.. .. . .. .. .. 5,698 17 2 Advertising, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 7 12 9 Maintenance of pupils and sundry expenses .. 2,040 9 3 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. 298 4 5 Maintenance of buildings, furnishings, &c. . .. 205 13 8 8,250 17 3 Less parental contributions and amount received from Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards .. .. 2, 280 10 7 Sales of farm-produce .. .. . . .. 2 14 11 National endowment .. .. .. .. 213 0 0 2,496 5 6 Net expenditure .. .. .. .. £5,754 11 9 The net expenditure for the year 1925-26 was £5,843 10s. 6d.

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1 1 ! 1 ! i 1— 1 1 ! Repairs to buildings .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ., .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,736 2 3 Salaries of staffs of homes, Child Welfare Officers, visiting nurses, &c. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. •• 22,070 11 9 Boarding-out of children :— Payments to foster-parents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 69,872 11 6 Payments to Postal Department as commission .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . .. .. 657 2 0 Issues of clothing, &c. : From institutions, £2,476 13s.; from central and branch stores, £1,478 16s. 5d. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,955 9 5 Medicine, medical attendance, dentistry, &e. .. .. .. ...... 2,671 16 9 77,156 19 8 Inmatets at service— Issues of clothing, &c. : From institutions, £1,943 18s. 3d. ; from central and branch stores, £1,201 4s. .. .. .. .. .. .. • • 3,145 2 3 Miscellaneous payments ...... .... . ...... 2,419 18 3 5,565 0 6 Refund of maintenance payments .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 65 14 1 Refund of inmates earnings .. .. . . .. .. .. .. ,. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . .. .. 15 4 9 Rent, office requisites, &c. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,075 13 3 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,706 14 3 Wages of inmates .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . • 208 13 10 Law-costs .. .. .. .. .. _ __ . _ . *' __ .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 49 19 3 Levin Co-operative Dairy Co., Ltd.—Payment in lieu of bonus shares .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . • • 60 0 0 Transfer and removal-expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. . . .. ,. .. .. . . .. .. . . .. . . 9 19 3 Contingencies .... .. .. . .. . ' ' *' " . .. . , 25 8 6 Less recoveries— 126,339 17 6 Parents and others .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 22,478 1 5 Sales of farm-produce .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .... . . .. .. . . .. .. 1,797 16 2 Inmates' earnings for clothing, &c. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,094 9 4 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3.125 4 3 —1 32,495 11 2 £93,844 6 4

Table 1.—Child Welfare: Expenditure for Year, 1926-27.

No. 6.- STATISTICS.

15

Medicine, j I I Deduct j Institution. Foodstuffs. ' , (lot }^° and oSd™* 1 Attendance. Sundries. Total - ; Total. j Isgues to Issues to j SlstMarch | Expenditure. ; I I Dentistry. j | Boar<1 j Servioe ' Probationers. | 1927. ' j Receiving-homes— £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. I £ s. d. Auckland .. 325 14 4 44 3 3 91 9 9 .. 28 1 6 52 7 0 68 17 10 610 13 8 .. 610 13 8 7 13 5 12 19 2 .. .. j 590 1 1 Hamilton .. 173 4 3 226 18 6 40 10 4 .. j 2 18 5 68 9 10 11 11 11 523 13 3 685 0 4 1,208 13 7 342 10 2 108 8 7 0 15 6 515 13 10 j 241 5 6 £L apier . " 180 7 2 Or. 17 1 3 62 8 9 .. 2 11 2 15 11 1 31 13 0 275 9 11 1,127 11 6 1,403 1 5 162 10 3 158 5 4 .. 635 11 10 ! 446 14 0 Wanganui .. 141 5 6 116 7 0 34 15 7 .. (1 3 6 27 15 1 12 15 5 334 2 1 241 6 1 575 8 2 71 8 3 74 19 LI .. 200 11 4 [ 228 8 8 Christchurch .. 343 7 7 858 11 3 132 12 9 .. ! 14 15 1 60 3 4 65 12 9 1,475 2 9 1,085 1 9 2,560 4 6 984 6 4 67 15 2 2 7 0 952 1 6 553 14 6 .Probation Homes — Auckland .. 311 5 8 41 9 4 84 14 1 .. j 46 12 9 96 13 9 99 11 5 680 7 0 .. 680 7 0 .. .. •• •• i 680 7 0 Wellington .. 273 7 4 23 0 1 52 16 10 .. 4 1 6 42 5 5 28 11 5 424 2 7 .. 424 2 7 .. .. .. •• ' 424 2 7 Chnstchurcb .. 219 11 5 283 10 0 65 1 6 .. 11 16 8 70 2 10 27 5 9 677 8 2 170 19 1 848 7 3 94 0 8 251 9 0 1 10 0 152 3 4 349 4 3 Dunedm .. 167 16 1 15 0 1 41 18 11 .. 26 8 9 84 2 2 32 4 4 367 10 4 .. 367 10 4 .. .. .. •• 367 10 4 .Boys 1 raining- 774 10 11 1,175 14 7 534 4 0 1,189 8 0 43 7 9 73 4 9 134 17 10 3,925 7 10 4,790 4 9 8,715 12 7 5 5 7 546 13 3 .. j 4,717 18 4 3,445 15 5 farm, Weraroa Girls' Hostel, Wei- 0 8 6 .. 0 5 9 .. .. 3 9 4 11 8 10 15 12 5 .. 15 12 5 .. .. ..I .. 15 12 5 lington Children's Home, 428 7 10 Or. 13 12 5 153 10 0 .. 17 4 9 43 2 0 126 19 7 755 11 9 709 13 1 1.465 4 10 316 15 10 9 0 9 .. 346 7 10 793 0 5 Miramar Te Oranga Home, 134 15 6 13 16 10 21 13 0 .. 0 7 6 41 13 0 15 17 7 228 3 5 .. 228 3 5 .. .. .. • • 228 3 5 Onristchurcn Girls'School, Cavers- 548 6 5 511 13 9 200 6 3 .. 25 14 6 175 16 8 66 11 0 1,528 8 7 1,799 8 10 3,327 17 5 463 11 6 346 15 2 I 1,287 14 2 1,229 16 7 nam Totals •• •• •• .. .. .. .. .. 11,821 13 9 10,609 5 5 22,430 19 2 2,448 2 0 1,576 6 4 J 4 12 6 8,808 2 2 [ 9,593 16 2

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In connection with the foregoing table it should be borne in mind that there are really only two residential institutions in our child-welfare system —the Boys' Training-farm, Weraroa, for boys, and a section of the Special School for Girls, Caversham. The receiving-homes and probation homes are regarded as clearing-houses, where children are admitted for short periods for observation and treatment, if necessary, prior to being placed in ordinary homes in the community or in situations. These homes are also utilized — (1) For housing children who for various reasons are changing from one home or situation to another, or who are sent in from country districts for medical or dental treatment, &c.; (2) For children and young persons passing through from other centres or districts ; and (3) For girls and young women in situations who spend their weekly half-holiday and occasional week-end days with the Matron of the home. The average number of children in residence at these homes is comparatively small, but an approximation of the work of the homes is given in the following return : —

Average Cost op maintaining Inmates in Institutions established under the Child Welfare Act, for Year ended 31st March, 1927. £ s. d. Gross cost of maintaining inmates .. .. .. .. 126,339 17 6 Less excess of liabilities at 31st March, 1926, over those of 31st March, 1927 56 18 10 126,282 18 8 Less .—■ £s. d. Direct expenditure on service inmates .. .. .. 2,419 18 3 Issues from institutions and stores .. .. .. .. 3,145 2 3 Salaries of Child Welfare Officers, Infant-life Protection Agents, and proportion of Managers and office staffs of institutions 11,035 510 Travelling-expenses of Child Welfare Officers, Infant-life Protection Agents, &c. (estimated at two-thirds of expenditure, £7,706 14s. 3d.) .. .. 5,137 16 2 Refund of inmates' earnings Rent, office requisites, &c. (two - thirds of expenditure, £2,075 13s. 3s:) .. .. .. .. .. 1,383 15 6 Law-costs .. .. .. .. .. ■ • 49 19 3 23,171 17 3 Gross cost of inmates a charge on the State .. .. £103, 111 1 5 Number of inmates maintained (including inmates in residence at Government Schools, boarded out, hospitals, convalescent homes, &c.) .. .. 2,869 Average cost per week per inmate — £ s. d. Gross .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0 13 10 Recoveries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0 3 8| Net .. .. .. .. .. .. .. £0 10 1| The net cost to the State of maintaining children under the child-welfare system is therefore 10s. l|d. per head per week.

. M i Number of Children Name of School. actually passing through. _ _ Girls' Receiving-home, Auckland .. .. .. 17-23 ! 169 Boys'Receiving-home, Auckland.. .. .. .. 18-85 J 150 Girls' Receiving-home, Hamilton .. .. .. j 10-37 226 Girls' Receiving-home, Wanganui .. .. .. j 10-38 173 Girls' Receiving-home, Napier .. .. .. .. I 7-43 |84 Children's Home, Miramar, Wellington .. .. ... 21-77 193 Boys' Receiving-home, Wellington .. . . .. ! 12-47 118 Girls' Receiving-home, Christchurch .. .. .. j 20-72 314 Boys' Receiving-home, Christchurch .. .. .. j 13-34 164 Boys' Receiving-home, Dunedin .. .. .. .. j 9-6 78 1,669 I

17

E.-4

3 —E. 4

Table 2.—Daily Average Cost of Victuals per Inmate supplied to Government Receiving-homes, 1st April, 1926, to 31st March, 1927.

Girls' Boys' Girls' I Girls' I Girls' Boys' Children's Boys' Girls' Boys' j Boyg . MontMy Month. Receiving- Receiving- Receiving- Receiving- Receiving- Training- Tom" 8 " °hom™ g " home, School for , Receiving- Average home, home, home, home, | home, farm, w 11' w it 1 PWiat urns, | home, 01 ail I Auckland. Auckland. Hamilton. Wanganui. | Napier. Weraroa. ton 18 ton 18 church i church Caversham.j Dunedin. Institutions. : ' J ' I d. | d. d. d. d. d. ! d. j d. d. d. d. d. j d. April .. .. .. . . 9-44 15-02 9-04 10-11 16-06 8-82 1 9-45 : 13-80 9-50 12-01 7-82 10-30 ! 10-947 May .. .. .. 12-23 15-14 8-07 i 8-74 12-88 10-09 11-01 11-28 10-16 8-46 6-73 10-55 i 10-445 June .. .. .. 9-1 13-8 j 9-07 7-45 12-02 9-61 10-70 11-40 9-01 9-60 7-74 11-30 10-066 July .. .. .. .. 8-6 14-16 8-50 8-95 13-52 9-6 9-68 11-40 9-20 8-71 8-12 10-78 10-106 August .. .. .. .. 10-02 11-6 8-26 8-65 12-76 7-25 9-19 11-01 8-29 9-47 7-89 9-17 9-463 September .. .. .. 10-26 12-58 9-28 10-14 14-00 8-4 9-40 10-30 9-22 9-39 8-36 10-58 10-159 October .. .. .. .. j 8-95 9-94 10-26 9-60 11-44 9-36 9-43 11-15 8-84 10-10 8-78 11-16 9-917 November .. .. .. .. | 10-70 10-90 9-30 9-00 10-08 9-38 9-00 9-83 7-56 11-63 8-90 9-61 9-657 December .. .. .. .. 8-50 9-30 10-71 8-88 12-59 9-35 10-605 10-07 9-50 11-96 7-98 10-81 10-021 January . . . . .. . 10-60 8-21 8-79 7-35 7-54 9-89 10-19 8-10 7-91 10-21 8-02 10-98 8-982 February .. .. . . 10-60 12-36 7-64 7-09 9-76 10-00 10-59 9-70 9-57 11-47 8-57 11-10 9-871 March. .. .. .. 8-77 11-10 8-63 6-85 8-80 10-07 , 9-62 11-30 8-00 8-90 7-79 9-36 9-097 Daily average .. 9-814 12-009 8-962 8-567 11-787 9-318 10-778 8-896 10-159 8-058 10-475 Daily average cost of all institutions, 9-894d.

E.—4

Table 3.—Government Expenditure on Private (Roman Catholic) Schools, 1926-27. For the maintenance of State wards who are inmates of the four private institutions recognized under the Child Welfare Act, 1925, the Department pays capitation at the rate of 10s. a week each. The following table indicates the expenditure under this heading : — £ s. d. St. Mary's, Auckland .. .. .. .. .. .. 439 14 5 St. Joseph's, Upper Hutt .. .. .. .. .. 392 0 8 St. Mary's, Nelson . . .. .. .. .. .. 287 1 11 St. Vincent de Paul's, Dunedin .. .. .. .. .. 183 11 11 £1,302 8 11 Table 3a.—Government Expenditure on the Maintenance of Inmates sent to other Institutions, 1926-27. £ s. d. St. Mary's, Otahuhu . . . . . . . . . . . . I 15 0 St. Mary's, Karori .. .. .. .. .. ..1200 Institute Notre des Missions, Christchurch .. .. .. .. 65 10 1 Redroofs Maternity Home, Dunedin .. .. . . . . 30 13 5 Bethany Home .. .. .. . . .. . . 0 3 6 £110 2 0 Table 3b. —Gross Recoveries prom Parents and Others. 1925-26. 1926-27. £ s. d. £ s. d. Child Welfare .. .. .. .. 22,825 3 6 21,976 3 4 Special Schools .. .. .. .. 2,194 13 1 2,404 2 5 Charitable Aid Board (Special Schools) .. 1,587 16 11 1,650 18 5 £26,607 13 6 £26,031 4 2

Table 3c. —Cash Sales of Farm-produce, 1926-27.

18

r . Boys' Training Farm, ; Special School, Total* Weraroa. i Otekaike. i £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Milk and cream.. .. .. 1,076 8 2 228 11 11 1,305 0 1 Poultry and eggs .. .. 40 9 10 76 19 5 117 9 3 Fruit and vegetables .. .. 26 10 0 21 1 9 47 11 9 Sheep, cattle, beef, and mutton .. j 184 4 10 | 180 14 9 364 19 7 Mats and basketwork . . .. .. ! 299 10 0 299 10 0 Boot-repairs .. .. .. j .. 14 89 1489 Timber .. . . .. .. 525 3 4 525 3 4 Chaffcutting, haymaking, and j 229 10 3 . . 229 10 3 threshing Pigs and bacon.. .. .. | 208 18 2 , 98 19 3 307 17 5 Sundries .. .. ... 141 10 2 ! 55 9 5 196 19 7 £1,907 11 5 | £1,500 18 7 £3,408 10 0

E.—4

Table 4.—Numbers in Residence at 31st March, 1927.

19

Institution. Boys. Girls. Total. Girls'Receiving-home, Auckland .. .. .. .. 2 10 12 Boys' Receiving-home, Auckland . . . . .. .. 12 .. 12 Receiving-home, Hamilton .. .. .. . . .. 5 3 8 Receiving-home, Wanganui . . .. .. . . 8 5 13 Receiving-home, Napier . . .. ., . . .. 1 3 4 Boys' Training-farm, Weraroa ., .. . . . . 94 .. 94 Children's Home, Miramar . . .. .. . . • . 6 18 24 Boys' Receiving-home, Wellington .. .. .. ■. 7 .. 7 Girls' Receiving-home, Christchurch . . . , . . . . 2 16 18 Boys' Receiving-home, Christchurch . . . . . . . . 7 .. 7 Special School for Girls, Dunedin . . . . . . . . 1 46 47 Boys' Receiving-home, Dunedin . . . . . . 10 .. 10 St. Mary's School, Auckland .. . . . . . • 12 6 18 St. Joseph's School, Upper Hutt .. .. . . .. 9 13 22 St. Mary's School, Nelson . . . . . . . . 5 7 12 St. Vincent de Paul's School, Dunedin .. .. . . .. 14 14 Special School for Boys, Otekaike . . .. . .. 190 .. 190 Special School for Girls, Richmond . . . . .. . . 75 75 School for Deaf, Sumner— Boarders .. .. .. . . ■ . • 50 49 99 Day Pupils .. . . .. .. .. .. 7 10 17 Totals 428 275 703 Note.—The boys in residence in Auckland and Dunedin Girls' Receiving-homes are infants.

E.—4

20

Table 5.—Status of Children at 31st March, 1927 (other than those in Residence).

Government Schools. Private Schools. Special Schools. ; """""" | ; ; i " ; ;T7~ ! .rr ~W~- ~ i in * I « « I 1 S 1 II ? fif II s| I I ! 1., « * . I H | ■§ if 1 -I II I| | Totals. Status - | ■§ s as g-S | § |1 fo I 1 -g v,§ 5® S® gg §§ Sfe § t Se !■§ ° i ° - 5 Is &| &| gg 5» re if ? I §£ ILw ■ s 3 §>£ |j s § ; S ; SSjj |°P. gj >■§ -so -g3 81 = | § | M S £ J g I § ! §,« ge ■g® 52J "s co P- 52; t> £< O 3|co 0;O2 02ccgccooococq . B. G. B. G. B. ! G. B. G. B. i G. I B. G. I B. G. I B. I G. j B. G. B. G. I B. | G. I B. G. j B. j G. I B. I G. G. I G. G. ! B. G. B. G. ! B. G. I B ""' _ J I j | I ; j 1 | |_ I I | | | ! | | Sexes. i I I I I r I ! | III I i i I Boardedout .. .. .. .. 41 31 226jl64 88i 66 33: 251 52] 38 66; 45168 111 25 30 19 20171129 29! 49|106 63 43 33 17 21 .. .. .. 1,084 8251,909 At service .. .. .. .. 23 10 50 12 ! 78 16 39 20! 57 12 87 8 1 34 35 20 13 4 .. 82 58 47 5' 39 49 41 20 .. 18 7 1 .. 2 2 603 285 888 . With friends .. .. .. .. 25 14 71 54j 18 16 33 j 17 28 15 27: 15 55 36 9 5 6 5 31 22 16; 15 19 22 8 11 6 21 7 1 4 1 4 2 2 355 286 641 It! hospitals, convalescent homes .. .. 1 1 2 2 1...... 1 1 ...... 1 6 2.. 2 4 1 .. 10 15 25 In mental hospitals .. .. 1 li .. .. .. I .. .. I .. .. i .. I 1 .. I 2.. .J.. 1:3 ' 51 4! 9 In refuges, or cognate institutions .. .. 1 .. 2. .. \ 2 .. j ... 4 .. 1 4 15 .... .. 12 6 1 3 J j 51 51 In orphanages .. .. .. ! 1 1 4 3 5 15 4* 5 19 24 Absent without leave .. .. .. 1 .. .. 3 6 .. 5! 1 10 .. 9 ..! 2 2 1 34 6 40 I j j At Borstal .. .. .. I .. .. li 4 ..! 1 6 .. 6 At sea .. .. .. 1 .. 1 ; .. 1 .. 1 | | 3 .. 3 j. : i _ Totals .. .. .. 91 57 351 238' 191 98 111! 64=|l50| 72 191 (is 263 191 54| 49 29 25|287224 95. 69167160 93 64 23 72 20 2 I 9 j 3 4 3 2 2,105 1,49l|3.596

E.—4.

Table 6.—Admissions during the Year ended 31st March, 1927, classified according to Causes of Admission.

Table 7. —Admissions for Year ended 31st March, 1927, classified according to Status at 31st March, 1927.

Table 8. —Admissions for the Year ended 31st March, 1927, classified according to Number in Residence at 31st March, 1927.

21

Admitted as j Boys. ; Girls. : Totals. Destitute .. .. .. .. .. 128 110 238 Delinquent .. .. .. .. 6 .. 6 In detrimental environment .. .. .. 36 41 77 Not under proper control (complaint by police) .. 104 60 164 Accused or guilty of punishable offence .. 50 5 55 Admission by private arrangement (section 12, 22 23 45 Child Welfare Act) Temporary admissions ...... 10 7 17 Section 47, Infants Act .. .. .. .. 1 1 Totals ,.. .. ... .. 356 247 603

Si 5 £3 -iiuJg % I III ll : . g -§ £ a £ o| § £Si£ 5 j | fg SjL &| g<- .. Toto l s - „, . a g, S-p da's ® g 8'3 Si • !itatus - § S Is §~« §1 is|sS o $ « -go's goO §«! |t-ao<i g<! «S H «! » B. ! G. B. j G. J B. j G. : B. 1 G. B. | G. j B. G. B. | G. B. G. B. j G. [ g ®°^ In residence .. .. .. 11 5 4 . .1 7 9 23 19 2e! 2 1 2 4 2 .... 76 39 115 Boarded out .. .. ..105101 1 . J 20 28 55 30 5 2.... 1 1 .... 188 161 349 At service .. .. 3 1 2 .. 1 4 3 10 3 10 1 .... 2 2 .... 31 10 41 With friends .. .. .. 5 2 .. .. 2 1 9 4 5! 1 .... 21 8 29 In refuges, or cognate institutions 1 1 ,. ! ' 1 1 2 In hospitals .. .. .. .. 2 .. .. ! J .. .. I .... 1 2 3 5 In mental hospitals .. .. 1 i 1 .. 1 At Special School, Otekaike .. J .. .. 5 .. 3 9 .. 9 At Special School, Richmond ; 1 .J j I 1 At Borstal .. .. j .. .. 1 .. ] 1 .. 1 Discharged .. .. j .. .. 1 .. I 1 !.. .. 2 .. 2 Adopted .. .. .. .. 1 1 1 1 Written off the books .. 8 5 15 17 .. 1 23 23 46 Died .. .. .. 1 1 .. I | J i Totals .. .. ..126112 7 .. 36 41 104 59 50 5 10 7 22 23 .. 1 356 247 603

Government Schools. Schoof A11 s °hools. ® ffl 2 5? <» 2 boSs .gg L | d | 12 | .j | . Id !■§ l-g ss, 1 . .»s« | a W? •?§ -a M •- g a w a MS . Si a W g •§§ H.9 ■§,«[§ Admitted as §3 .gS .g'S .s| a« §.9 «.gg o| %% oS IS 8 Totals. i-< V S > 1-5 "> S <U .t! IS — 0"> to £> <» rnCP I *3 3 h h Q. il jh ! M 1 ii F I & II P M ! n * S « ml S § fi MS ti= , £ 8 B. G. B. B.JG. B.|G. B. B. G B. Gr.j B. B. G. B. B. G. ! B. G. B. j G. Destitute .. .... 2 .. 3 5 12.... 1' 1 .. .. 1 .. .. 11 5 16 Delinquent .. 1 3 4 .. 4 Detrimental environment 122 1 .... 1 .. 5 3 1 7 9 16 Not under proper control .... 2 5 1 1 .... 13 1112 1 1 3 .. .. 10 .. .. 23 19 42 Aocused or guilty ol punish- .... 4 .... 1 .. 18 1 3 .. 1 .. .. 26 2 28 able offence Admitted by private..; 3 2 1 4 2 6 arrangement (sec. 12, Child Welfare Act) Temporary admissions ..11 1.. .. 1 2 3 Totals .. .. 1 5 10 4 1 1 .. 37 6 3 5 4 2 2 7 5 .. 18 3 1 76 39 115

E.—4.

Table 9.—Admissions classified according to Parents' Circumstances and Character.

22

(Arranged in Families.) Reasons for Committal of Children. w • ~ !», id Admis■e ® a ® S 1 -® • t. 3 g" § & 5 ■% sl ° n "y Father described as Mother described as £ '~—*L O "S Private * * S>> n '3 Arrange- ® I 9 s a _§ -2 •& ° P ® ment. s gn d § ri-fe'S'S 9 (Section .3 II s §« 12, Child % M S Jf 1-1 §°° Welfare o ® : ® Act.) H Dead . . .. .. Dead .. .. 5 .. 1 2 1 .. 9 „ .... .. Good .. .. 3 .... 3 5 1 12 ,, .. .. Bad . .. .. .. .. 1 .. .. I „ .. .. .. Questionable .. 2 .. 1 .. .. .. 3 . .. .. Addicted to drink .... .. 1 1 1 .. 3 „ .. .. .. Mentally weak .. 2 .. .. 1 1 .. 4 Good .. .. .. Dead .. 4 .. I 5 2 I 13 „ .. .. .. Good .. ..13 .. 4 29 27 19 92 „ .. . . . . Bad . . 2 4 1 1 8 . .. .. Questionable .. G .. 1 7 .. .. 14 „ .. . . .. Addicted to drink . . .. .... .. 1 . . 1 „ .. .. . . Mentally weak .. 2 .. 1 2 .. .. 5 . . . . . Physically weak . . 1 . . .. .. . . . . 1 . . . . . Deserter .. . . . . . . .. 1 . . 1 2 „ .. . . Character unknown .. .. .. 1 1 .. .. 2 Bad .. .. .. Dead .. .. 1 .. .. 1 .. .. 2 „ .. .. Good .. .. 4 .. 3 4 1 1 13 „ . . . . Bad .. .. 3 .. 1 1 .. .. 5 „ .. . . .. Questionable .. 4 .. 2 2 .. 19 „ . . . . Mentally weak . . . . . . j . . 1 1 Questionable . . .. Dead .. .. 1 .. j 3 .. .. 4 .. Good . . . 9 .. 13 1 ] 15 .. Bad .. . . 3 .. 2 .. .. 1 6 ,, . . . . Questionable . . 6 1 2 5 1 . . 15 „ .. . . Addicted to drink . . 1 .. 1 . . . . . . 2 ,, . . . . Mentally weak . . 1 .. .. | .. . . . . 1 „ . . . . Character unknown . . .. . . .... 1 . . 1 Addicted to drink .. Dead .. . . 2 .. 1 2 .. 5 .. Good .. .11 I 7 3 13 „ .. Questionable .. 4 .. .. 2 .. .. 6 ,, . . Addicted to drink .. .. .. 4 i 2 3 .. 9 ,, . . Mentally weak . . .. .. 1 j .. 1 1 Mentally weak . . Bad . . . . .. .. 1 j . . j 1 Physically weak . . Good . . . . .. 1 . . .. . . . . 1 Deserter . . .. „ . . . . 4 .... 1 .. . . 5 „ .. . . Questionable .. .. .. .. 1 .. 1 2 Character unknown . . Dead .. .. 1 .. 1 .. .. 2 .. Good .. 23 8 1 2 34 „ .. Bad .. .. 8 .. .. .. .. .. 8 ,, . . Questionable 15 . . 2 2 . . . . 19 ,, .. Addicted to drink . . .. .. 1 .. .. 1 „ . . Mentally weak . . 3 . . . . . . .. . . 3 ,, .. Physically weak .. 1 .. .. .. .. . . 1 ,, . . Character unknown . . 4 .. 3 1 1 .. 9 Identity unknown . . Dead .. . . .. . . . . 3 . . . . 3 „ .. Good .. .. 7 .. .. .. .. 7 „ .. Bad .. .. 4 .. 1 .. .. .. 5 ,, .. Questionable .. 5 .. .. 1 .. .. 6 „ .. Mentally weak .. 3 .. .. 1 .. .. 4 „ .. Character unknown . . 1 . . . . .. .. .. 1 ,, .. . . Identity unknown .. .. .. .. 1 1 .. 2 Totals .. .. .. 157 3 39 108 54 31 392 The numbers of children admitted were —From Auckland, 115; Christchurch, 87 ; Wellington, 73; Dunedin, 37 ; Invercargill, 33 ; Hamilton, 31 : Timaru, 26 ; Napier, 16 ; Palmerston North, 16 ; Nelson, 13; Waimate, 12; Wanganui, 10; Hokitika, 9; Gisborne, 8; New Plymouth, 7;

23

E.— 4,

Thames, 6 ; Ashburton, 5 ; Oamaru, 5 ; Otahuhu, 4 ; Whangarei, 4 ; Owhango, 4 ; Rawene, 4 ; Moturoa, 4 ; Taumarunui, 4 ; Woodville, 4 ; Te Kuiti, 4 ; Levin, 4 ; Blenheim, 4 ; Gore, 4:; Greymouth, 3 ; Paeroa, 2 ; Opotiki, 2 ; Eltham, 2 ; Taihape, 2 ; Otaki, 2 ; Geraldine, 2 ; Westport, 2 ; Marton, 1; Kaikohe, 1; Waipu, 1 ; Taupo, 1; Dargaville, 1; Tauranga, 1; Feilding, 1 ; Stratford, 1; Petone, 1 ; Pahiatua, 1 ; Waipukurau, 1 ; Masterton, 1 ; Milton, 1 ; Balclutha, 1 ; Reefton, 1 ; Akaroa, 1 . (Note. —This list does not include 17 children who were temporarily admitted.) The records show that of this total admitted 26-11 per cent, were known to be illegitimate.

Table 10. —Admissions classified according to Religious Belief.

Table 11. —Deaths during the Year ended 31st March, 1927.

Table 12. —Inmates discharged from Control during Year ended 31st March, 1927.

(Magistrates after hearing the evidence direct in what religious denomination children committed are to be brought up.) I •Si +3 a • <d «■£ Q *43 .2 ! d d -5 o SG 5 • , ee . ± O e r2 b I i 5 J> B 'I a .1 Sa I -g -g! I ?! II 2 t §<s f-S 1 1 P 1* J<§ 1 1< |o 1 I «j P3 AH M PQOAHQ M >-3 PH . p Number .. 309 113 103 22 j 23 | 4 j 3 2 j 2 4 1 1 16 603 Percentage .. 51-4 j 18-68 17-02 3-64 3-8 0-66 j 0-5 0-33 j 0-33 0-66 0-17 0-17 j 2-64 1100-0 Note.—The children for whom no religion is shown were temporary admissions.

Age. | Status at Death. Certified Cause of T)eath. School to which belonging. Yrs. Mos. 0 8 Tn hospital .. Capillary bronchitis, collapse of lung.. . . Girls' Receiving - home, Auckland. 0 11 „ .. Broncho-pneumonia, syncope .. .. Girls'Receiving - home, Christchurch. 12 „ .. Endocarditis, heart-failure .. .. .. Special School for Girls, Dunedin. 2 0 ,, • • Whooping-cough, broncho-pneumonia .. Girls' Receiving Home, Christchurch. 4 10 „ . • Cerebral meningitis .. .. .. Child Welfare Officer, Greymouth. 7 9 „ .. Peritonitis and Empyema .. .. .. Children's Home, Miramar, Wellington. 9 0 „ .. Acute generalized osteomyelitis .. .. Girls'Receiving Home, Hamilton. 9 8 At board .. . . Measles, broncho-pneumonia .. . . Child Welfare Officer, Invereargill. 16 0 In hospital .. Osteomyelitis and myocardial failure .. Child Welfare Officer, Napier. 16 2 „ .. Rheumatic endocarditis, tubercular meningitis Boys' Receiving Home, Christchurch. 16 4 „ .. Pulmonary tuberculosis, anaemia .. .. Children's Home, Miramar, Wellington. 16 6, „ •. Endocarditis, rheumatic heart-failure . . ! Child Welfare Officer, Palmerston North. 17 5 In Home of Compas- Tuberculosis myelitis .. ■. . . Children's Home, Miramar, ! sion, Wellington I Wellington.

j Boys. i Girls. Totals. Discharged (Child Welfare Act, section 23) .. j 168 58 226 Attained the age of twenty-one years .. | 11 24 35 Adopted . . . . • • • • 27 . 39 Written off books ...... 30 33 63 By death .. . ■ • ■ ■ • j 7 6 13 Married . . • ■ • ■ • • • • 8 8 Totals 228 156 384

E.—4

24

Table 13.—Particulars of Children admitted to and removed from Licensed Foster-homes during 1926.

Table 14.—Rates of Payments by Parents or Guardians. A statement of the rates paid is given in the following table : — £ s. d. £ s. d. 4at the rate of 0 5 0 per week. sat the rate of 016 0 per week. 39 „ 0 10 0 „ 1 „ 0 16 6 1 „ 0 11 0 „ 61 „ 0 17 6 9 „ 0 12 0 „ 1 „ 0 18 0 73 „ 0 12 6 „ 185 „ 1 0 0 5„0130„ 2 „ 1 1 0 1 „ 0 13 6 „ 6 „ 1 2 6 2 0 14 0 „ 1 „ 13 0,, 415 „ 0 15 0 „ 12 „ 15 0,, 3 0 15 6 „ 2 „ 1 10 0 1 child adopted with premium disbursed at the rate of 10s. per week. 20 children adopted with premium disbursed at the rate of 15s. per week. 29 children for whom no payment is being made. The following is a comparison of the rates paid during the last six years : — 1921. 1922. 1923. 1924. 1925. 1926. Under 7s. per week .. 2 4 3 2 1 4 7s. and under 10s. per week .. ..11 5 1 7 9 Nil. 10s. per week .. .. .. 133 105 65 48 48 39 Over 10s. per week .. .. 508 597 580 615 699 785 Foster-homes. The 878 children in foster-homes at the end of the year were distributed as follows In 564 homes each having one child .. .. .. .. .. 564 In 108 homes each having two children .. .. .. .. 216 In 27 homes each having three children.. .. .. . . 81 In 3 homes each having four children .. .. .. 12 In 1 home having five children . . .. . . .. . . 5 703 878 Seven of the homes were those in which children were boarded out by Charitable Aid -Boards. The total number of licensed homes was 1,073, so that at the end of the year there were 370 homes in which for the time being no infants were boarded.

£ S3 to a » S3 0 fl <u fl © ° | 15 Sj f *" "* "3 ** 2 bC S O ,_,«* (N«W COq-; >0<H © . < ° ° ® & *S d® pi 2 PI 5® P*«2 Pi 2 P < n ®s "s ®g «® Sg a ■§ f rt j£ ||S liS |£ _g£ s I S ml m M m-* w" 5 m® o h On the books at 31st December, 1925 .. .. 81 93 176 125 97 77 i 85 37 771 Placed in licensed homes or transferred from other 221 98 128 79 55 34 34 3 652 districts during 1926 Totals .. .. .. ..302 191 304 204 152 111 119 40 1,423 Withdrawn from homes— Removed by parents or guardians .. 29 50 96 87 50 30 32 9 383 Deaths .. .. .. .. I I Adoptions without premium .. .. 2 5 12 10 4 3 2 3 41 In homes to which exemption was granted during 1926 1 3 1 4 .. .. .. .. 9 Brought under operation of Child Welfare Act 2 5 9 3 4 5 4 1 33 Written off the books for various causes (including .. 3 10 3 3 6 .. 53 78 those who attained the age of 6 years) Total withdrawals .. .. .. 34 66 128 107 62 44 38 66 545 On the books at 31st December, 1926 .. . . 109 109 182 153 121 84 68 52 878

E.—4.

Table 15.—Children under Sixteen Years of Age in Exempted Institutions.

Of the above 2,020 children, 169 have no parents living, 267 have a mother only, 541 have a father only, the remainder (1,043) have both parents living.

4 —E. 4.

25

Admissions, Tw+v, a iqoa On the Books, 1926. uearns, wm. 31gt Becemberj 1926> t» 23 . m ■ 05 • to . co . m . ,G © <g eg rC *7 © ® ® A © g> w ■£} &co-1h a' 3 ® 5P © 'dtic g . g«i g . g . %< Same of Institution. gj §, a M S §j & ®-g a m— g & 5o 3S £ a s 75 fl g s "f «<l rts 75'g Sx: -ci a u <*« OS S,c T3 g go <u-*e -3d ®o §:-£ a go v-% 4 = a ■3 &o -So- •§ |g •§ £g 5 'SS r°*S W S PS W 6 n H-O- t> W" H®. ; t3 H=- _ ■ (1.) (2.) (3.) (4.) (5.) (6.) (7.) (8.) (9.) Salvation Army Maternity Home, Auckland . . 2 .. 1 Salvation Army Home, " Grange," Heme Bay, Auckland 12 .. 40 Methodist Orphanage, Mount Albert, Auckland .. 14 69 Leslie Orphanage, Remuera, Auckland .. .. 31 •. .. 1 .. .. 60 St. Mary's Orphanage, Otahuhu, Auckland .. .. 1 .. 21 .... St. Joseph's Orphanage, Takapuna, Auckland .. .. .. 1 12 .. 14 Childrens' Home, Ponsonby, Auckland .. .. .. .. .. 16 .. .. 1 .. . . 10 Methodist Orphanage, Epsom, Auckland .. .. J 6 .. 40 St. Mary's Home, Auckland .. .. .. 2 20 28 .. .. 1 2 13 24 Manurewa Children's Home, Auckland .. .. .. .. 1 22 75 Star of the Sea Convent, Howick, Auckland .. .. 1 .. 25 45 Orphan Home, Papatoetoe, Auckland .. .. 13 18 Salvation Army Children's Home, Hamilton .. .. .. .. 16 .. .. .. .. .. 34 Salvation Army Boys' Home, Eltham .. .. 13 .. , 1 .. .. 54 Wanganui Orphanage, Gonville, Wanganui .. 37 .. j 29 Salvation Army Samaritan Home, Gisborne .. .. .. 1 37 .. .. .. .. .. 18 Salvation Army Maternity Home, Gisborne .. .. 6 .. 6 3 1 4 Cook County Women's Guild Creche, Gisborne .. .. .. . . 23 .... .. .. .. 37 Salvation Army Bethany Home, Napier .. .. .. 3 1 5 .. .. .. 1 2 5 St. Hilda's Home, Otane, Hawke's Bay .. .. I 26 Manawatu Willard Home, Palmerston North .. .. .. .. 2 .. .. .. 19 Cecilia Whatman Memorial Home, Masterton .. 27 63 Children's Home, Palmerston North .. .. .. . . .. 10 .. .. .. .. .. 37 All Saints Children's Home, Foxton .. .. 26 23 St. Barnabas Home, Khandallah, Wellington .. .. 3 10 18 1 6 17 Presbyterian Orphanage, Berhainpore, Wellington .. 27 97 St. Mary's Children's Home, Lancaster Street, Karori 8 32 St. Mary's Home, Karori, Wellington .. .. 11 26 Salvation Army Boys' Home, Island Bay, Wellington 22 42 Salvation Army Girls' Home, Owen Street, Wellington 23 40 Salvation Army Maternity Hospital, Wellington .. 74 1 79 4 9 1 16 Residential Nursery, Newtown, Wellington .. .. 4 9 174 3 9 Levin Memorial Home, Wellington .. .. .. .. .. 7 .. .. .. .. .. 29 Home of Compassion, Island Bay, Wellington .. . . .15 5 64 .. 1 6 6 7 112 St. Joseph's Orphanage, Upper Hutt, Wellington .. 252 180 St. Mary's Orphanage, Nelson .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 .. .. .. .. .. 23 St. Saviour's Guild Home, Sumner, Christchurch .. 21 10 33 2 1 3 8 6 28 Sacred Heart Orphanage, Mount Magdala, Christchurch . . 1 .. 4 1 .. 12 St. Saviour's Guild Home, Shirley, Christchurch .. .. .. .. 39 .. .. 1 .. .. 141 Salvation Army Maternity Home, Christchurch .. .. 53 .. 53 3 .. 3 16 2 19 Nazareth House, Christchurch .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 .. .. .. .. .. 12 Presbyterian Orphanage, Papanui, Christchurch .. .. .» .. .1 5 Children's Convalescent Home, Governor's Bay, Christchurch .. .. 71 .. .. .. .. .. 24 Methodist Orphanage, Papanui, Christchurch .. 3 45 Salvation Army Boys' Home, Temuka .. .. .. .. .. 13 .. .. .. .. .. 65 St. Saviour's Guild Orphanage, Timaru .. .. .. .. .. 25 .. .. .. .. .. 78 Grant's Braes Home, Anderson's Bay, Dunedin .. .. .. .. 22 .. .. .. .. .. 33 Salvation Army Children's Homes, Anderson's Bay, Dunedin .. .. j 17 .. .. .. .. .. 55 Salvation Army Maternity Home, Roslyn, Dunedin .. 3 .. 3 1 2 6 Children's Rest Home, Mornington, Dunedin .. .. 4 11 92 .. .. .. .. 6 12 St. Vincent de Paul's Orphanage, South Dunedin .. .. .. 1 7 .. .. .. .. 1 24 Presbyterian Children's Home, Anderson's Bay, Dunedin 10 35 St. Mary's Orphanage, Mornington, Dunedin .. .. .. .. 4 .. .. .. .. .. 26 Victoria Memorial Home, Invercargill .. .. .. 2 5 23 1.. 1 1 2 7 Presbyterian Orphanage, Gordon Street, Invercargill .. .. .. 5 .. .. .. .. .. 25 Totals .. .. .. .. 193 76 1,540 10 2 18 49 52 2,020

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26

Deaths in Foster-homes and Exempted Institutions. Of the 1,423 infants who were at one time on the books as being in foster-homes during 1926, one died in a foster-home. This infant was under twelve months of age and was of illegitimate birth. The following is a statement of the number of deaths during the time that the infant-life-protection system has been in the Department's charge : —

Table 16.

Table 17.—Adoptions during the Year, 1926. During the year 361 orders of adoption were made ; 26 of the adoption orders provided for premiums, and 335 were without monetary consideration. The following table shows the ages of the adopted children : —

The amount of the premiums ranged from £20 to £130.

Foster-homes. Exempted Institutions. Year. Number of Number of Percentage of Number of Number of Percentage of Deaths. Infants. Deaths. Deaths. Infants. Deaths. 1908 .. .. 26 1,017 2-56 .. No records 1909 .. .. 25 1,181 2-11 .. 1910 .. .. 26 1,183 2-19 .. 1911 .. .. 13 1,183 1-09 47 899 5-23 1912 .. .. 12 1,228 0-98 36 911 3-95 1913 .. .. 13 1,330 0-98 18 984 1-82 1914 .. .. 20 1,423 1-40 37 944 3-9] 1915 .. .. 14 1,440 0-98 11 1,026 1-08 1916 .. .. 17 1,250 1-36 9 '939 0-96 1917 .. .. 12 1,361 0-88 15 1,136 1-32 1918 .. .. 6 1,341 0-44 15 955 1-57 1919 .. .. 10 1,403 0-71 13 1,050 1-24 1920 .. .. 14 1,306 1-07 19 1,002 1-89 1921 .. .. 6 1,318 0-47 17 1,118 1-52 1922 .. .. 10 1,243 0-80 16 887 1-08 1923 .. .. 6 1,243 0-48 20 1,076 1-86 1924 .. .. 5 1,213 0-41 21 1,175 1-78 1925 .. .. 5 1,301 0-38 12 1,638 0-73 1926 .. .. 1 1,423 0-07 18 3,196 0-56

Age of Child. J With Premium. Premium Totals. Under 6 months .. . . . . . . 11 ! 47 58 Between 6 months and 1 year . . . . . . 6 34 40 „ 1 year and 2 years . . . . .. 4 ! 57 61 2 „ 3 „ .. .. 2 46 48 3 „ 4 „ .. .. 1 24 25 4 „ 5 „ . .... 1 25 26 5 „ 6 „ .. . .. .. 22 22 „ 6 „ 7 „ .. .. 1 19 20 7 „ 8 „ .. .. .. 7 7 „ 8 „ 9 „ .. .. .. 7 7 „ 9 „ 10 „ . . .. . . . . j 7 7 „ 10 „ 11 „ .. .. .. 8 8 „ 11 „ 12 „ .. .. .. 9 9 „ 12 „ 13 „ .. 7 7 „ 13 „ 14 „ .. 5 5 „ 14 „ 15 „ .. .. .. 11 11 Totals .. .. .. .. 26 335 361 The adopting parents were — Husband and wife jointly . . .. . . . . . . .. 327 Widow .. .. .. .. . . . . . . 16 Widower .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . . 3 Spinster .. .. .. . . . . .. . . . . 4 Bachelor (including one divorcee) . . . . .. . . . . 4 Wife only .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . . 5 Husband only .. .. .. .. .. . . . . 2 361

E—4.

Table 18. —Illegitimacy.

Table 19. —Deaths amongst Illegitimate Children for Year ended 31st December, 1926.

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+ Ph'iri A Illegitimate Children T11 ... , mate Children aged «. A7 - Illegitimate mi **-4.1 i under Six Years in t-v* j • a. i -r->• 11 • 1 i Twelve Months or less T • A , District. Births registered , , ,, Licensed b osterj • ino/3 brought under the , , during 1926. T * *. a a • homes at Infants Act during December , 1926. 192b. North Auckland .. .. .. 26 Auckland .. .. .. .. 312 73 121 South Auckland ...... 85 5 12 Hawke's Bay ...... 79 6 12 Gisborne ...... 43 6 8 Wanganui and Taranaki .. .. 100 20 31 Palmerston North .. .. .. 72 12 34 Wellington .. .. .. .. 259 44 102 Nelson ........ 33 3 7 West Coast ........ 32 4 7 North Canterbury .. . . .. 206 58 141 South Canterbury ...... 34 7 23 Otago .. .. .. .. 138 23 43 Southland ........ 54 24 18 Totals for 1926 .. .. 1,473 285 559 Totals for 1925 .. .. 1,332 229 524

tt l f\ vi V ! ' i Between Between Between , Between ; Between District. j „ -.* l "i ; , 011 ', 3 1 and 2 2 and 3 3 and 4 ! 4 and 5 j 5 and 6 j Total. b Months, and under: , 7 v . \r v - x? i v < Years. Years. Years. Years, i Years. 1 Year. i i I I I ! I I I | . North Auckland .. .. 1 .. .. .. .. .... 1 Auckland .. .. 11 2 4 1 .. . . I 19 South Auckland .. .. 5 .. 3. .. .. . . 6 Wanganui and Taranaki .. 6 .. 1 .. .. .. . . 7 Gisborne .. .. 3 1 .. .. .. . , .. 4 Hawke's Bay .. .. 6 .. .. .. .. i (> Palmerston North .. 3 .. J . . .. .. ..14 Wellington .. .. 6 1 1 .. .. .. ..18 Nelson .. .. .. 1 1 .. .. .. .. | 2 West Coast .. .. 4 .. .. .. ., .. ! 4 North Canterbury 11 2 .. 1 2 .. .. 16 South Canterbury .. 1 .. .. .. .. 1 .. 2 Otago .. .. .. 8 .. 1 .. .. .. I 9 Southland .. .. 4- 1 .. 1 .. . . , 6 i Totals .. ..70 8 9 3 2 1 1 94 i I

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No. B.—COSTLEY TRAINING INSTITUTION. Balance-sheet for Year ended 31st December, 1926. Liabilities. £ s. d. Assets. £ s. d. Costley bequest .. .. .. 12,150 0 0 War-loan stock .. .. .. 1,500 0 0 Hodge bequest .. .. .. 742 3 9 Mortgages .. .. .. .. 22,739 5 0 Revenue Account, as below .. .. 12,491 10 6 Accrued interest .. .. .. 149 9 9 Jackson, Russell, and Tunks .. •. 991 12 3 Bank of New Zealand .. .. 3 7 3 £25,383 14 3 £25,383 14 3 Revenue Account for Year ended 31st December, 1926. Dr. £ s. d. Or. £ "• ( *' To Maintenance Account .. .. 1,440 8 7 By Balance, Ist January, 1926 .. 12,291 710 Sundry expenses .. .. .. 93 11 0 Interest .. .. ■■ 1,734 2 3 Balance carried forward .. .. 12,491 10 0 £14,025 10 1 £14,025 10 1

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