E.—4.

7

Table 14 attached to this report shows the new admissions classified according to the causes of admission. Of the total number (535), 172 were destitute, 199 not under proper control, and 78 had been charged with punishable offences. Of the children admitted under these three headings all excepting 44 were placed out in foster-homes before the end of the year. Table 15 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 during 1920 on account of the Drinking Habits of one or both Parents. Drunken mother .. . . . . . . . . . . 26 Drunken father .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 54 Both parents drunkards . . . . . . . . .. .. 6 86 Children admitted during 1920 on account of Mental Deficiency of Parents. Mentally deficient mother .. .. .. . . .. . . 51 Mentally deficient father .. .. . . . . . . 11 Both parents defective mentally . . . . . . . . .. .. 3 65 The following figures show the number of committals to industrial schools for the past twelve years: Year 1909, 294; 1910, 290; 1911, 389;»1912, 405; 1913, 328; 1914, 405: average for six years before the war, 352. Year 1915, 453 ; 1916, 436 ; 1917, 358 ; 1918, 381; 1919, 864 ; 1.920, 535 : average for six years after commencement of war, 505 (excluding epidemic orphans the average is 438).

Schools for the Feeble-minded. Numbers at 31st December, 1920.

Particulars of Expenditure for the Year 1920-21.

I have, &c, J. Beck, Officer in Charge, Special Schools Branch. The Director of Education, Wellington.

Stoke. Otekaike. Richmond. • Total. In residence On vacation At board With friends At service 43 11 63 6 54 18 1 1 ■ i 160 35 1 1 1 1 Totals .. 54 70 74 198

Stoke. Otekaike. Richmond. Total. Salaries War bonus Maintenance buildings Travelling-expenses Maintenance, institutions . . Additional buildings £ 5,489 74 16 1,01.4 3,993 98 £ 4,379 59 149 198 809 39 £ 1,529 15 3 105 3,356 £ 1.1,397 148 168 1,317 8,158 137 Recoveries 10,684 5,633 5,008 21,325 5,720 Net cost to Department £15,605