E—4

remaining in the Dominion. These children are waiting either to complete examination courses or until their parents can join them, but in a few cases they have expressed their intention of remaining here indefinitely, regardless of their parents' future movements. The children who returned to the United Kingdom left in three mam groups, and •on each occasion the opportunity was taken to accord them an official farewell, in which the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom and representatives of the New Zealand Government took part. On these occasions, and subsequently by letter, the fosterparents of all the children were thanked for the outstanding humanitarian service they rendered by taking these children into their homes and accepting responsibility for their well-being. It is pleasing to be able to record the great success of the scheme as it operated in New Zealand. The Children who came here, almost without exception, made excellent progress and obviously benefited by their stay in this country. Many of them who returned to the United Kingdom have already indicated their desire to emigrate to New Zealand at the earliest opportunity and, if possible, to bring their relatives with them. C. E. Peek, Superintendent. The Director of Education, Wellington, New Zealand.

Table 1. —Number of Children under Control and Supervision The total number of children under the supervision of the Child Welfare Branch as at the 31st March, 1946, was 8,048, classified under the following headings, the corresponding number for the previous year being also given :

14

— 1944-45. 1945-46. JState Wards — In foster-homes and with friends In situations (includes 6 absent without leave at 31st March, 1945, and 16 at 31st March, 1946) In Government institutions, receiving homes, &c. In private institutions .. .. .. .. In Roman Catholic institutions recognized under Child Welfare Act In special schools for mentally backward children (see also pupils under " Other than State Wards ") In refuges or cognate institutions In hospital, convalescent homes, &c. In residential colleges, &c. 2,502 1,022 285 108 90 139 59 36 17 2,444 1,006 316 105 82 129 49 40 13 4,258 4,184 Other than State Wards — Young persons supervised by Child Welfare Officers in their own homes, with relatives, or friends, pursuant to orders of Court Infants supervised in foster-homes registered under the Infants Act Pupils at Schools for Deaf, Sumner and Titirangi Pupils at schools for mentally backward children (Otekaike and Richmond), (see also under " State Wards ") Children supervised as preventive cases Children in New Zealand Institute for Blind for whom the Department makes payment 1,063 ' 799 215 47 1,905 20 1,026 909 238 45 1,629 17 4,049 3,864 8,307 8,048 British children in New Zealand 191 46