CHILD WELFARE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27091, 27 May 1949, Page 6

CHILD WELFARE

PROBLEM *OF DELINQUENCY CHIEF OFFICER’S REPORT An -encouraging feature was a decrease of 58 in court appearances from 171 to 113, stated Mr E. W. G. Thorpe, the district child welfare officer, in his annual report, presented -to the stipendiary magistrate and associates of the Children’s Court. Sixty-two of the offences were against persons and property, the report stated. The position, however, was very satisfactory. Of the offences involved, 92 were committed by boys and 21 by girls, -but only four girls were charged with offences. Thefts had dropped from 65 to 34, and breaking and entering and theft from 17 to 8. There were only two matters involving sex. The report stated that 11 children were charged as being not under proper control and 21 as being in an environment detrimental to their wellbeing. Of the children dealt with 23 had been committed to the care of the department, 45 had been placed under supervision, and 32 had been admonished and discharged.

The preventive side of their work was designed to catch cases early, Mr Thorpe stated, before the trouble became chronic. The possibilities of success were thus enhanced and the number of court appearances reduced. Sound training and good home conditions were essential to good citizenship, he added, but it would appear that many children were not receiving what should be their birthright.