E.—4

6

of classification of the inmates. Up to within two years ago there were some 120 girls belonging to the Home. Of these the average number in residence varied from seventy to eighty-five, while the remainder represented the girls placed out, under supervision and subject to certain conditions, in situations or with friends. The number of girls from all parts of New Zealand actually committed through the Courts to Te Oranga Home, or transferred from gaol under the pro-visions of section 25 of the Industrial Schools Act, was comparatively small, as the following table will show :—-

Admissions to Te Oranga Home, classified according to Causes of Admission, 1901-18.

When the revision of the industrial-school system was taken in hand some two years ago the matter of the numerous transfers from other institutions to Te Oranga was fully investigated, with, the result that with more careful scrutiny of each case and by the application of different methods of treatment the numbers were reduced to a minimum. The system of placing out the better-behaved girls from Te Oranga Home was also instituted, with the result that in a few months the number in residence was reduced to about thirty. Finally, towards the latter end of 1918 the numbers in residence were reduced to about fifteen, and it was then considered feasible to cater for this small number at the Caversham Industrial School, where there was ample accommodation for more than twice this number of girls. This change was carried into effect in November last, and has worked very satisfactorily. It was anticipated, however, that a certain number of the girls who had been given a chance in situations would fail, but the percentage of failures up to the present time is small compared with the good results obtained in other cases. At the time the change was decided upon there, were some thirty girls licensed out in. situations in and around Christchurch. Adequate provision was made for the supervision of these girls by the appointment of a special officer (an ex-attendant at Te Oranga) whose duty it was to visit the girls in their situations and generally to keep in close touch with them. Of the girls transferred to Caversham —twenty-two in November last and the six sent on from Christchurch since that time —fifteen arc at present in situations and doing well ; five have been allowed, on account of good conduct, to return to their relatives ; seven, are at present in residence at Caversham, having failed to do well in situations found for them; and one has been sent to Mount Magdala Home. Of the five girls who were allowed to go to relatives three are still doing well, one of whom is now married ; one lias had to be returned after giving birth, to a child ; and one girl returned to Caversham of her own accord. Of the girls placed out in and around Christchurch and still under control, two have been committed to prison for theft; one now with relatives has given birth to a child; four have been sent on to Caversham either for bad behaviour or for absconding from their situations; and the .remainder (twenty-three) arc doing well in their situations. From the period Ist January, 1918, to 30th June, 1919, sixty-eight girls were discharged from the control of Te Oranga Home. Of these, three are at present in prison and two at the Salvation Army Home, while the remainder (sixty-three), nine of whom are now married, are doing well.

Causes of Admission. 1901,1.002. 1903. Destitute .. Vagrant . . .. I . . .. in disreputable aasooia- 4 . . I lions Not under proper con- . . ! . . ti'ol (complaint by police) Uncontrollable (coinplaint by parents) Accused or guilty of 1 ] 2 punishable offences By private arrangement Transferred from gaol 1 3 I Totals . . 7 4 4 1904.1905. 1900. .. .. 1 2 I 1 1 2 .. .. 3 3 5 6 .. .. 1 I 1 I 1907. I I I 5 1908. 7 i 1909. 1910. 1911. 2 .. 7 1 1 6 1012. 1 2 .913. i 7 1914.| 2 1 11 1015. 4 1910. 6 1917.1918. i 7 3 2 •• ! l i 3 13 12 51 2 . . 1 1 1 Is 5 2 2 .. 4 1 2 1 3 1 I 1 40 2 7. 7 7 5 6 2 7 12 4 7 I 54 I 5 9 15 14 7 4 7 0 13 15 18 13 22 !) I 5 180