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No. 2.—STATEMENT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE CHILD WELFARE BRANCH. FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1932. Investigation and Supervision of Cases appearing before Children's Courts. The number of cases dealt with by the Children's Courts last year was 1,984, and of these 602 were placed under the supervision of Child Welfare Officers. Of the children placed under supervision, 41 were subsequently committed. The number actually admitted to institutions such as receiving-homes, special schools, training-farms, &c, was 493; but all of these, with the exception of 142 who required further training, were suitably provided for in the community before the close of the year. The other children appearing before the Courts were dealt with in a summary manner not calling for supervision by a Child Welfare Officer. At the 31st March, 1932, there was a total number of 911 children under the supervision of Child Welfare Officers by order of the Courts. Of the number, 602 placed under supervision this year, 69 had previously been dealt with by the Courts. The Magistrate had also ordered 4 children to spend a period in institutions. The following statement indicates the numbers (other than those placed under supervision or committed) appearing before all such Courts, and the methods of disposal: Admonished and discharged, 508; withdrawn, 11 ; returned to institutions, 34 ; dismissed, 20; adjourned, 60; committed to Supreme Court for sentence, 2; committed to Borstal, 33 ; convicted and discharged, 3; convicted and birched, 8 ; convicted and fined, 77 ; convicted and probation, 10; convicted and ordered to come up for sentence, 2. By-law cases: Dismissed, 1 ; convicted and fined, 60; convicted and costs, 13 ; admonished and discharged, 43 ; adjourned, 2 ; withdrawn, 2. Total, 889. Of the above, 297 were charged with theft; 133, wilful damage ; 9, false pretences ; 1, loitering ; 2, trespassing ; 3, cruelty to animals ; 2, attempted suicide ; 6, indecency ; 48, mischief ; 1, forgery ; 21, stone-throwing; 11, possessing firearms; 12, disorderly conduct; 3, obscene language; 18, assault; 36, breaking and entering; 14, not under proper control; 31, conversion ; 6, receiving ; 6, discharging firearms; 2, vagrancy; 4, indecent assault; 2, carnal knowledge; 11, detrimental environments ; 3, aiding and abetting; 3, arson; 4, delinquency; 3, drunkenness : 1, breach of supervision; 1, breach of Fire Brigades Act; 49, breach of Motor-vehicles Act; 5, breach of Acclimatization Act; 6, breach of Post and Telegraph Act; 1, breach of Licensing Act; 13, breach of Arms Act; and 120, breach of city by-laws. In addition to the above, there were 47 cases dealt with by Magistrates under the provisions of section 17 of the Amendment Act, 1927, and the information dismissed as trivial; while there were also 115 cases in which, as the result of consultation. between the Child Welfare Officer and the police, the informations were regarded as of insufficient importance to warrant Court action —the children concerned being adequately dealt with otherwise, usually by being regarded as preventive cases under the supervision of a Child Welfare Officer for a period. Preventive Work. An important part of the work of the Child Welfare Officers 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. In very many cases parents whose children are difficult to manage avail themselves of the services of Child Welfare Officers for the purpose of supervision and friendly guidance. At the end of the year there was a total number of 1,355 children being dealt with in this connection. Children under the Guardianship of the Superintendent of the Child Welfare Branch. At the 31st March, 1932, there were 4,883 children under control (excluding those mentioned under separate heading below), and of these 288 were in residence at Government receiving-homes, &c. (many of these, of course, only temporarily), training-farm and training institutions, 267 in special schools for mentally backward children, 87 in the four private Roman Catholic schools recognized under the Child Welfare Act; 2,289 children were boarded out in foster-homes, 911 were in situations, and 788 residing under license with relatives and friends. The remainder were in various private' institutions. Young persons over school age in employment number 805 males and 425 females (a number of whom are residing with friends), included in the total of 4,883. Of the males, 612 are farm workers (240 skilled in dairy-work and cheesemaking, and 372 competent to milk and carry out general farm-work), 51 are apprentices (of which number some are receiving assistance), and 142 others are employed in various trades. A number of these aie also receiving assistance. Of the girls, 346 are domestic workers, 41 factory employees, and 38 engaged in various employments, such as shopassistants, nurses, dressmakers, &c. A number of the girls are also receiving assistance,

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