E. — 1

23

Number of Pupils receiving Free Education at Technical High Schools and Technical Day Schools under Regulations for Free Places.

Financial. The total amount due by the Department to the controlling authorities for the salaries and incidental expenses of all technical classes, including technical high schools, for the year 1926 was approximately £167,085, made up as follows : — Salaries— £ £ Full-time Principals and assistants .. .. .. 107,201 Full-time student teachers .. .. .. .. 1,583 Overtime for full-time teachers .. .. .. 6,944 Capitation for part-time teachers .. .. .. 20,539 Capitation for part-time student teachers .. .. 920 137,187 Incidentals .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 40,621 177,808 Less recoveries from tuition fees .. .. .. .. 10,723 £167,085 It is to be noted that from Ist February, 1926, the allowances for incidentals were increased from 26 per cent, to 30 per cent, of salaries, and that special grants for material were abolished. The above figures also include salaries and incidentals payable in respect of manual-training classes conducted by Technical School Boards (£5,930, approximately). CHILD WELFARE. Functions of 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

CompariTeohnical High Schools. Technical Day Schools. nical High 1 1 —i — : Schools Boys. Girls. Total. Boys. ! Girls. Total. only. T . , /"First year .. 1,717 1,298 3,015 239 333 572 +411 Junior free pupils gecond year 917 g39 j ?56 ]og 2Q6 31 4 +2 30 fFirstyear .. 329 291 620 34 55 89 + 62 Senior free pupils<J Second year .. 134 118 252 9 24 33 +104 year .. 54 61 115 2 5 7 + 60 Totals.. .. .. 3,151 2,607 5,758 392 623 1,015 +867 I