E.—4

1932. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: CHILD WELFARE, STATE CARE OF CHILDREN, SPECIAL SCHOOLS, AND INFANT-LIFE PROTECTION. [In continuation of E.-4, 1931.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. I.—EXTRACT FEOM THE FIFTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION. CHILD WELFARE. Number op Children under Supervision. The total number of children under supervision of the Child Welfare Branch as at 31st March, 1932, was 8,392, classed under the following headings : — State wards— In foster-homes, hostels, and with friends .. .. .. .. 3,109 In situations (includes 21 absent without leave) .. .. .. 932 In Government institutions, receiving-homes, &c. .. .. .. 290 In private institutions .. .. .. .. .. .. 253 Inmates in special schools for the mentally backward .. .. 267 In hospitals, convalescent homes, &c. .. .. .. .. 24 4,875 Young persons supervised in their own homes by Child Welfare Officers, by Order of Court .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 911 Infants supervised in foster-homes registered under the Infants Act .. 1,131 Pupils at School for Deaf, Sumner (8 of these being State wards) .. .. 120 Children dealt with as preventive cases .. .. .. .. 1,355 8,392 The number of children committed to the care of the Superintendent during the year ended 31st March, 1932, was 493, classified according to reason for committal as follows: Indigent, 215 ; delinquent, 16; detrimental environment, 42; neglected, 9 ; not under proper control, 133 ; accused or guilty of punishable offence, 78 ; and, in addition, 17 were admitted by private arrangement (section 12, Child Welfare Act), while 47 were temporarily admitted, making the total number of admissions for the year 557. Of the children committed, 67 had been dealt with previously by the Courts for other offences for which they had received terms of supervision. Classified according to. the age at the time of admission, the numbers, including temporary admissions and those admitted under section 12, Child Welfare Act, are as follow : Under six months, 59 ; over six months and under one year, 25 ; from one to five years, 88 ; from five to ten years, 110 ; from ten to fourteen years, 108 over fourteen years, 167. The length of period of residence for the children temporarily admitted was from one day to eight weeks. Of the children in foster-homes, 201 are over the age of fourteen years, of whom 130 are still attending primary schools and 71 are receiving higher education. In addition, there are 18 residing in hostels and receiving secondary education. Furthermore, 33 children under the age of fourteen years are receiving higher education.

I—E. 4.