E.—l.

In regard to examinations conducted by the University of New Zealand the following shows the position in 1932 and 1933 : —

Table Z4. —University Examinations.

36. CHILD WELFARE. The total number of children under the supervision of the Child Welfare Branch as at 31st March, 1934, was 7,259, classed under the following headings : — State wards — In foster homes, hostels, and with friends . . . . 2, 708 In situations (includes 21 absent without leave) . . 858 In Government institutions, receiving-homes, &c. . . 251 In private institutions . . . . . . . . 194 Inmates in special schools for backward children . . 239 In hospitals, convalescent homes, &c. . . . . 20 At School for Deaf, Sumner .. . . . . 7 4, 277 Young persons supervised in their own homes by Child Welfare Officers, by order of Court . . . . 850 Infants supervised in foster homes, registered under the Infants Act . . . . . . . . 923 Pupils at School for Deaf, Sumner (other than State wards (7) included in figures above) . . . . . . 109 Children dealt with as preventive cases . . 1, 081 Children at New Zealand Institute for Blind, for whom the Department makes payment . . . . . 19 Total .. .. .. .. 7,259 The number of children committed to the care of the Superintendent during the year ended 31st March, 1934, was 423, classified according to reasons for committal, as follows : Indigent, 154 ; delinquent, 22 ; detrimental environment, 53 ; neglected, 4 ; not under proper control, 117 ; accused or guilty of punishable offence, 73 ; and, in addition, 6 were admitted by private arrangement (section 12, Child Welfare Act), while 47 were temporarily admitted, making the total number of admissions for the year 476. Of the children committed, 72 had been dealt with previously by the Courts for other offences, for which they had received terms of supervision.

36

I Examination. Stage in Course at which Examina- , Number of Candidates. 1 1932. 1933. * k lon 1S normally taken. University Entrance At end of Form V —i.e., at end (a) Who presented them- 4,725 4,738 Examination of at least the third year of selves for examination post-primary course (only the (b) Who passed .. 2,223 2,291 very best third-year pupils (c) Who failed .. . . 2,502 2,447 succeed in passing) Entrance Scholarship At end of Form VI —i.e., at end (a) Who presented them- 295 345 Examination of at least the fourth year of selves for examination post-primary course (6) Who obtained at least a 131* 134* pass with credit (c)jtWho qualified only for 53 112 University entrance as a result of the examination (d) Who failed .. .. 143 99 Other University During University course .. (a) Who presented them- 7,290 7,750 examinations selves for examination (b) Who obtained complete 4,669 5,649 or partial successes * Thirty scholarships are awarded yearly.