E.-4

16

Deaths in Fostek-homes.

Out of the 1,183 infants under six years of age that were at one time or another on the books of the foster-homes during 1911, 13 died —that is, l - 09 per cent. Of these, 9 died in the foster-homes, and 4 in hospitals or nursing-homes to which they had been removed for treatment. Nine of the 13 were under the age of twelve months, and all were of illegitimate birth. The following is a comparison of the number of deaths in foster-homes during the last four years :— 1908 .. .. .. 26 deaths out of 1,017 infants =, 2-56 per cent. 1909 . .. ..25 „ 1,181 „ =2-11 1910 26 „ 1,183 „ =2-19 1911 .. .. ..13 „ 1,183 „ = 1-09 The percentages are given merely for illustration, for in dealing with such small numbers a percentage may, of course, have a very misleading appearance. These rates are only very slightly above the normal death-rate of the Dominion for children of the same age, and the result therefore reflects great credit on the District Agents, their assistants, the Local Visitors, and the foster-parents. Particulars of the 13 deaths are given in the appendix. Deaths in Exempted Institutions. These, with other particulars, are shown in the foregoing table relating to exempted institutions. The following is a statement of the deaths during the last three years : — 1909 .. .. .. 66 deaths out of 749 infants = 881 per cent. 1910 .. .. .. 63 „ 915 „= 608 1911 47 „ 899 „= 5-23 Particulars of the deaths in these homes during 1911 are given in the appendix. Adoptions. During the year 221 orders of adoption were made, and one order cancelling an adoption order. Thirty-two of the adoption orders provided for premiums, and 189 were without monetary consideration. The following shows the ages of the adopted children :— With Without Premium. Premium. Under 6 months .. .. .. .. .. .. 18 58 Between 6 and 12 months .. .. .. .. 5 20 ~ 1 ~ 2 years .. .. .. .. .. 3 26 „ 2 „ 3 „ 3 22 „ 3 „ 4 „ 1 16 „ 4 „ 5 „ 1 11 5 „ 6 „ .. .. .. .. ..1 12 6 „ 7 „ .. .. .. .. .... 5 7 „ 8 „ .. .. .. .. .... 3 8 „ 9 „ .. .. .. .. .... 3 „ 9 „ 10 „ 2 „ .10 „ 11 „ 2 „ 11 „ 12 „ 2 „ 12 „ 13 „ 1 „ 13 „ 14 „ .. .. .. .. .... 4 „ 14 „ 15 „ .. 2 32 189 The adopting persons were, — Husband and wife jointly .. .. .. .. .. .. 211 Husband alone .. .. •.. .. .. .. .. 2 Widow .. .. .. •. .. .. .. .. 6 Widower .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Spinster .. .. .. •. .. .. ~ ~ 1 The amount of the premiums ranged from £10 to £160.