5

E.—4

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. 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 ten 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. Assisted Service, Higher Service, and Employment of State Children over School Age. At the 31st March, 1925, there were 61 inmates at service receiving assistance (assisted service in most cases refers to apprenticeship). There were 44 children receiving post-primary education— 22 secondary and 22 technical. In addition, there were 79 children over the age of fourteen years still attending the public schools and being maintained by the Department. Nature of Employment at 31st March, 1925, of Boys having left School. At the 31st March, 1925, there were 528 farm workers—lso skilled in dairy and farm work, and 378 competent to carry out general farm-work. There were 58 boys apprenticed as follows : 10 carpenters, 9 cabinetmakers, 6 bootmakers, 6 motor engineers, 5 bakers, 4- painters, 3 plasterers, 2 blacksmiths, 2 grocers, 2 ironmoulders, 1 tinsmith, 1 painter, 1 plumber, 1 motor-body builder, 1 wireworker, 1 wickerworker, 1 sheet-metal worker, 1 galvanizer, and I engineer. Boys otherwise employed (not apprenticed) totalled 146, as follows : 33 factory hands, 20 labourers, 15 message-boys, 13 shop-assistants, 9 telegraph messengers, 6 clerks, 5 drivers, 4 motor mechanics, 3 bakers, 3 gardeners, 3 railway employees, 3 printers, 3 electricians, 3 domestic helpers, 3 carpenters, 3 milkmen, 2 seagrass workers, 2 seamen, 2 plasterers, 2 laboratory assistants, 1 painter, 1 saddler, 1 Press reporter, 1 acetone welder, 1 butcher, 1 plumber, 1 metal-worker, 1 blacksmith, and 1 tiler. Nature of Employment at 31st March, 1925, of Girls having left School. There were 299 domestics, 20 factory employees, and 40 in other employment, as follows : 16 tailoresses, 8 shop-assistants, 7 clerks, 3 waitresses, 2 bookbinders, 2 furnishing, 1 dressmaker, and 1 nurse. This gives a total of 359 girls in employment. Preventive Work. An important part of the work of Juvenile Probation 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

-id % o By-law Cases. 3 * > « . I 'Zi £ <2© T3 -C ! ~3 _« . £> _< © X d C d d J=: • -• n-~ 03 53 03 District. "2 »■§ . a S§ R g 3 <- > d 'S £ 'C! T3 "S O rd bC T5 "O faO T3 - H jt £ Z <u o-t' yoofHaj © »-f <r> Sg. s-i § I .i §| ■§! il IJ a »• ££ l| § i I Is §•« Jj! §1 S| ! : 3 ■*< 3 fi fl'B : ofl ; OB -S o <1 "S *< is a "< r-j <j o. | o a 1 b North Auckland .. .. .. 6 6 2 1 j ! 46 Auckland .. .. .. .. 49 ! 82 21 4 j 26 .. .. i .. 332 South Auckland .. .. .. 29 50 6 1 7 .. .... .. .... 140 Wanganui .. .. .. .. 1 7 2 .. 1 [ 58 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. .. 7 19 1 .. 1 .. .. j .. .. j .. 74 Palmerston North .. .. .. 15 11 1 . . 4 .. .. i 5 .. ! 67 Wellington .. .. .. 91 43 16 3 1 .... 2 3 7 2 259 Nelson .. . . .. .. 2 2 10 .. 2 .. .. 1 32 West Coast . . .. .. .. .. 9 1 .. 1 .. .. 1 .. .... 19 North Canterbury .. .. .. 27 10 .. . . 7 . . .. i 17 15 .. 1 i. 133 South Canterbury .. . . .. 23 19 3 .. 3 1 ..12 . . .. .. ■ 86 Otago .. .. .. .. 77 .. 6 1 11 .. 1 17 1 2 .. : 208 Southland .. .. .. .. 49 20 19 118 Totals.. .. .. .. | 376 278 88 6 48 1 1 70; 19 9 3 1,572