BRITISH CHILDREN

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 155, 29 December 1944, Page 4

BRITISH CHILDREN

PROGRESS IN DOMINION

FAVOURABLE REPORT No criticism is expressed by Mr. J. R. McClune, Superintendent, of Child Welfare, of the behaviour and progress of the 200-odd British boys and girls who were brought to the Dominion earlier in the war and provided with homes by New Zealand people. In his annual report to Parliament covering the twelve months ended March 31 last, he paid tribute to the care given to the children.

Mr. McClune's report stated that the children continued to be very happy, and there were indications that a number of them would like to stay in the Dominion if their parents could join them. They were making good progress at their work and at school, and, generally speaking, had presented very few problems. That had been mainly due to the excellent homes they had had «nd to the unselfish care given them by ttteir foster-parents; in addition, their own response had been splendid.

At March 31, 71 of the children had left school, 53 were attending primary schools, and 79 attending secondary schools. Of those who had left school, seven attended University full time, six were at teachers' training colleges, one was nursing, two were working as nursing aides, one boy was studying accountancy, one was learning draughting, four were working in insurance offices, nine were doing general office work, five were in the Public Service, four were in banks, 10 were farming, five were in engineering, four were working as shop assistants, two were learning dressmaking, one was an assistant in a children's home, one was mining, one was working on munitions, six were doing various types of domestic work, and one boy was in the Air Force training to become a bomber pilot. FURTHER STUDIES. Where possible those who were working were encouraged to continue their education by taking evening classes or university lectures. The reports from their employers showed that they performed their work in a conscientious manner and gave satisfaction generally. ~ Twenty-five had passed the University Entrance Examination. Many others had passed the Public Service Entrance Examination, and some the School Certificate Examination. On the whole, their educational attainment was very satisfactory, and there were a few who showed exceptional ability.

Among the .older boys were some who, realising that they would have been called up for military duties had they still been in the United Kingdom, felt it their duty to give their services in the same way as their contemporaries in Britain and expressed a desire to join one or other of the Services. When the report was prepared one boy had won his wings in the Air Force, one had left New Zealand to join the Merchant Service as an apprentice, and three were waiting to be called up for the Navy. Others had expressed a desire to join the Navy or the Air Force.