E.—4

in the field of social service. For the successful inauguration of the " Big Brother " system throughout the Dominion the work carried out by Mr. Brasted, the national secretary of the Y.M.C.A., calls for special mention. The numbers quoted above do not by any means represent the total number of lads who have been saved to the community through the constructive work of the " Big Brother " movement. The divisional secretaries have joined wholeheartedly with our own field officers in taking up those cases that come under notice in the early stages, when by friendly guidance and by linking them up with proper youthful associations it is generally possible to save them from becoming perhaps a menace to society. The Roman Catholic authorities in Auckland have also rendered valuable assistance in this connection. A " Big Brother " scheme under Father Bradley has proved helpful to the Department's local officers. It is hoped that this movement also will extend to other centres. In dealing with all matters pertaining to the welfare of the Roman Catholic children who are brought under the notice of our local officers, the assistance given at all times by Archdeacon Holbrook, who has had many years' experience in this work, is very much appreciated, not only by the officers concerned but by the Department. The total number of cases investigated by Child Welfare Officers in the main centres during the year ended 31st March, 1927, and the manner in which the children were dealt with, are set forth in the following table :—

Of the above, 250 were charged with theft, 71 wilful damage, 53 mischief, 9 absconding, 2 indigent, 2 forgery, 10 stone-throwing, 1 truancy, 11 possession of firearms, 4 disorderly conduct, 6 obscene language, 1 no visible means of support, 9 assault, 3 driving without licence, 2 breach of Post and Telegraph Act, 1 breaking and entering, 12 not under proper control, 12 conversion, 2 attempted theft, 2 indecent exposure, 3 receiving, 1 false pretences, 22 breach of Defence Act, 179 breach of bylaw, 1 discharging firearms with intent, 4 neglected, 1 vagrancy, 5 nuisance, 1 smoking : Total offences, 689. 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. As will be seen from the particulars under the heading " Expenditure," the trustees are spending practically the whole of the income from the trust in assisting deserving cases. Many a boy or girl has reason for thankfulness that there is such a fund from which assistance is available, and that the trustees are sympathetic and prepared to grant assistance wherever possible. 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 twelve 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.

5

a At 3 S3 • •'S a • '2 IS . *f ks £ . 43 £ £ « £ *5 2 By-law Cases. - & -8 +9 O I g ! g d tn CO i .2 .£ _: .E P si P« Qj «H a — 3 M 2 T3 £ " w O g -e & « o s * - 3 s 8 o>g 2 O 1 "5 a 73 -a « 'S B ■at). District. %. 4 •& . * t « tS * . § § S» rf « „| a . I §1 |1^« 11 ! ? 1 g ~|§ g ! !f ?S ■§ •§ lis « |S S | | . |5S i S" 3^ g| S Sri J | »|| I I 12> 2 ? S«| Sfl S3 •§ I 1-8 -2-g g-gi - 5 .§ -2 ° «3 S s 3 'So ">« > > &oS 5.2 c 5 § hS § a i 3 53 « * ■§* g "§* 5 °*>® g § &S g-g g g g£$ g* gee g . g<a | fl <j Q HOM o Q o North Auckland .. j 22 ..J .. .. 4 [ .. ..!..' ! .. ..!..! .. I .. .. 26 Auckland .. j 106 3 2 6 3 1 2 i ,. ! .. .. .... .. .. ; ' .. .. 21 144 South Auckland .. j 22 ..' 2 4 .. .. .. | 2 ] . . 1 2 .. .. : .. . . .. .. j . . j .. . . 33 Taranaki .. I 6 .. 4 1 .. ..-..! 4 | .. 6 ...... 3 3 I 1 .... i 14 ! .. . . 42 Hawke's Bay .. 17 .. 7 2 1 .. ,. j 1 1 3:3.. 3 .. '..!.. 5 43 Palmerston North 8 .. 16 2 1 4 1 ...... ..!..: .. 1 33 Wellington 22 1 11 8 18 1 .. 4 6 j .. 10 1 2 | .... 1 8 ! 4 5 102 Nelson .. .. 91 4.. 2 .... 1 .. 412 | .. j ...... 8 .. .. 32 West Coast . . 34 .. 3 . . .. .. j . . 3 j 6 . . 46 North Canterbury 28 1 1 5 3 1 .. j .. .. 2 .. .. .. .. 1 11 69 1 20 143 South Canterbury 3 .. 1 2 j .. j .. , ..j 1 •• 7 Otago .. .. 9 1 1 8 | .. .. | j 2 21 Southland .. 8 1 1 7 . . .. | .. . • ■ • 17 Totals .. 294 6 50 33 48 j 4 2 | 16 j 2 22 j 6 . 12 j 10 J 5 1 1 12 j 99 12 54 689 Note. —In addition to the above there were 540 children committed by the Courts (see Tables 14 and 15 and also footnote to Table 17). There were also 412 children placed under supervision by the Courts. (13 of this number were later committed.)