E.—4.

Table 4. —Total Number of Children appearing before Children's Courts. (Classified according to reason for appearance.)

<■ The records show that, of the numbers dealt with, 261 had been before the Courts for previous offences, but many of these were of a minor nature, and there is every reason to hope that these children will make good with a little friendly supervision. In addition to the above, there were 28 cases dealt with by the Magistrates under the provisions of section 17 of the Child Welfare Amendment Act, 1927, and the informations dismissed as trivial; while there were also 85 cases in which, as a 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 as preventive cases under the supervision of a Child Welfare Officer for a period.

10

1937- 193838. 39. (a) Charged with an Offence, or delinquent. Delinquent .. .. • ■ 150 203 Theft .. .. .. 825 650 Wilful damage .. .. .. 79 81. Mischief .. .. •• 183 118 Breaking, entering, and theft .. 130 168 Conversion .. .. 125 128 Throwing stones .. .. 46 31 Indecent assault .. .. 19 24 Disorderly conduct .. .. 25 41 Receiving .. .. 19 18 Dangerous driving .. .. 13 5 Assault .. .. •• 16 16 Discharging firearms .. .. 1 7 False pretences .. .. 8 12 Idle and disorderly .. .. 1 1 Obscene language .. .. 9 5 Attempted theft .. .. 1 Breach of supervision order .. 6 9 Carnal knowledge .. .. 9 4 Unlawfully on premises .. .. 14 23 Cruelty to animals .. .. 5 2 Breaking and entering .. .. 8 9 Vagrancy . . .. . . 1 1 Negligent riding .. .. 13 1 Driving without license .. .. 28 33 Aiding and abetting . . .. 2 5 Drunkenness .. .. . . 3 1 Fraud .. .. . . 2 Indecent exposure .. .. 2 5 Negligent driving .. .. 15 10 Breaking and entering with intent 12 13 Breaking insulators .. 120 60 Indecency .. .. . 3 1 Trespass .. .. .. 9 Throwing missiles .. .. 2 Discharging fireworks .. .. 3 Forgery .. .. .. 1 5 Unnatural offence .. .. 1 6 Attempted carnal knowledge .. 1 1 Killing animals .. .. 1 Frequenting billiard-rooms .. 2 Uttering .. .. .. 5 Breach of agreement under Child 1 Welfare Amendment Act

1937- 193838. 39. (a) Charged with an Offence, or delinquent —continued. Conspiring to defraud .. .. 3 Arson .. .. .. 2 7 Unlawful Sunday trading .. 4 1 Attempted theft .. . . 1 Breach of Telephone Regulations 2 Indecent writing .. .. 2 3 Offensive behaviour .. .. 7 Breach of Traffic Regulations .. 17 85 Keeping dangerous animal .. 1 Casting offensive matter .. 4 3 Hunting game in a State forest .. 1 Attempted arson .. .. 4 Escaping from lawful custody .. 4 Attempted conversion .. .. .. 4 Breaking windows .. . . . . 1 Deserting ship .. .. .. .. 4 Destroying Native bush .. .. .. 1 Drunk in charge .. .. .. 4 Attempted breaking and entering . . 5 Attempted indecent assault .. .. 2 Stowaway .. .. .. .. 5 Attempted assault . . . . 1 Deserted by father . . . . . . 2 Obstruction on railway-line .. . . 10 Breach of Acts— Motor-vehicles .. .. 22 11 Railways .. .. .. 12 20 Fire Brigades .. .. 5 4 Acclimatization .. .. 2 1 Licensing .. .. .. 1 6 Arms .. .. 67 65 Animal Protection and Game .. 4 Post and Telegraph .. . . .. 5 Breach of city by-laws .. .. 361 297 Total children charged with 2,447 2,250 offences (b) Appearances for other Causes. Indigency .. .. 211 165 Not under proper control .. 233 210 Detrimental environments . . 51 81 Neglected .. .. 40 95 Total Court appearances .. 2,982 2,801