EDUCATION: CHILD WELFARE, STATE CARE OF CHILDREN, SPECIAL SCHOOLS, AND INFANT-LIFE PROTECTION. [In continuation of E.-4, 1938.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1939 Session I, E-04

E.—4.

1939. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: CHILD WELFARE, STATE CARE OF CHILDREN, SPECIAL SCHOOLS, AND INFANT-LIFE PROTECTION. [In continuation of E.-4, 1938.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

CONTENTS.

PAGE No. 1. —Extract from Report of the Hon. the Minister of Education (E.-l) .. .. .. .. ..2 No. 2. —Statement of the Superintendent — Functions of the Child Welfare Branca .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 Staff .. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 3 Field-work .. .. .. • • • • • ■ •. .. .. 4 Honorary Child Welfare Officers .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Institutions .. .. .. • • • • .. . • ■ • .. 4 Annual Reports— (а) Girls' Home, Burwood .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 (б) Girls' Hostel, Wellington .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 (c) Boys' Training Farm, Weraroa .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 (d) Special School for Boys, Otekaike .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 16 (e) Special School for Girls, Richmond .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 16 (/ ) School for the Deaf, Sumner .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 20 Preventive work .. .. .. .. ■ • • • . • • • • • .. 7 Annual Reports to Children's Courts .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 Cases appearing before the Children's Courts.. .. .. .. .. .. 9 Placement of Children in Private Homes .. .. .. .. .. .. ..11 Placing of Children in Situations and Allocation of their Earnings .. .. .. ..II Post-primary and Higher Education .. .. .. .. .. .. ..11 Primary Education .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . ■ .. 12 Children under Guardianship .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 12 Young Persons in Employment .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 12 Infant-life Protection .. .. .. . • • • .. • ■ • • .. 17 Blind Children .. .. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • .. 18 Illegitimate Children .. .. .. • • • • • • • • • • 18 Costley Trust .. . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • .. 20 List of Registered Children's Homes .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 22 Tables relating to Child Welfare — 1. Small Institutions : Particulars of Inmates in Residence for the Year .. .. .. 6 2. Preventive Cases . . .. .. ■ • • • • • • • ■ • 7 3. Cases appearing before Courts, and how dealt with .. .. .. .. 9 4. Cases classified according to Reason for Appearance .. .. .. .. .. 10 5. Children placed under Supervision of Child Welfare Officers .. .. .. .. 11 6. Average Age of State Wards and Children attending Primary Schools .. .. .. 12 7. Status of Children .. .. .. .. .. .. • • .. 12 8. Committals and Admissions during the Year .. .. .. .. .. 13 9. Committals and Admissions, classified according to Causes of Admission .. .. 13 10a and B. Committals and Admissions : Character and State of Parents .. .. .. 14 11. Committals and Admissions, classified according to Religious Beliefs .. .. .. 15 12. Inmates discharged during the Year .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 13. Institutions for Backward Children .. .. . . .. .. .. .. 16 14. Particulars of Children in Licensed Foster-homes .. .. .. .. .. 17 15. Children in Residence in Children's Homes .. .. .. ... ..18 16. Illegitimate Births .. .. .. . • • • • • ■ • 19 17. Expenditure on the Education of Backward Children .. .. .. .. ..20 18. Expenditure on School for the Deaf, Sumner .. .. .. .. .. 21 19. Expenditure on Child Welfare .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 21

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No. I.—EXTRACT FROM THE SIXTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION. CHILD WELFARE. Number of Children under Supervision. The total number of children under the supervision of the Child Welfare Branch as at the 31st March, 1939, was 7,797, classified under the following headings : — State wards — In foster-homes, hostels, and with friends .. .. .. .. 2,628 In situations (includes 21 absent without leave) .. .. .. .. 864 In Government institutions, receiving-homes, &c. .. .. .. .. 259 In private institutions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 170 In special schools for backward children . . .. .. .. .. 236 In hospitals, convalescent homes, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 125 In School for Deaf, Sumner .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 4,286 Other than State wards — Young persons supervised by Child Welfare Officers in their own homes, with relatives, or with friends, pursuant to orders of Courts .. .. .. 973 Infants supervised in foster-homes registered under the Infants Act .. .. 695 Pupils at School for Deaf, Sumner (other than State wards (4) included in figures above) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 99 Pupils at schools for mentally backward—Otekaike and Richmond (other than State wards (236) included in figures above) .. .. .. .. 32 Children supervised as preventive cases .. .. .. .. ..1,691 Children in New Zealand Institute for Blind for whom the Department makes payment .. .. .. .. .. . . .. .. 21 Total .. .. 7,797 The total number of children that came under the control of the Branch during the year was 595. Of these, 501 were committed to the care of the Superintendent by Children's Courts. They can be classified according to reasons for committal as follows ; Indigent, 153 ; delinquent, 33 ; living in a detrimental environment, 61 ; neglected, 58 ; not under proper control, 107 ; accused of punishable offences, 87 ; and breach of supervision order, 2. The remaining 94 children came into the custody of the Superintendent for the following reasons (a) Taken charge of by private agreement (section 12, Child Welfare Act, 1925), 6: (b) Taken charge of temporarily, 73 : (c) Placed under supervision, and ordered by the Courts to be detained in an institution for a period, 6: (d) At the time of this report held on warrant, pending the decision of Children's Courts (section 13 (2), Child Welfare Act, 1925), 9. If the 595 children are classified according to their ages at the time custody was assumed there are found to be 82 under six months ; 23 over six months and under one year ; 82 from one to five years ; 90 from five to ten years ; 132 from ten to fourteen years ; and 186 over fourteen years. Of the 501 children committed to the care of the Superintendent 84 had previously come before the Courts for other offences, for which they had received terms of supervision. The length of period in residence for children temporarily taken charge of was from one day to ten weeks. A number of these were held on remand from Children's Courts. At the 31st March 207 of the children in foster-homes were receiving postprimary education and one boy was attending a University college, 48 were taking a professional course, 68 technical, 59 commercial, 3 agricultural, and 10 home science, while 19 Maori children were attending Maori colleges. In addition, 15 boys residing at a hostel at Auckland were receiving post-primary education, and 18 children were boarded at private secondary schools.

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No. 2.—STATEMENT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE CHILD WELFARE BRANCH—Mr. J. R. McCLUNE. YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1939. FUNCTIONS OF THE CHILD WELFARE BRANCH. The main functions of the Branch may be briefly stated as follows : — (1) Preventive work—that is, the inquiry in the early stages into cases of difficulty with children or bad adjustment in the home. (2) Supervision and general placement and care of all children committed to the care of the Department through the Children's Courts. (3) Administration of State institutions for children and young people who cannot be placed in the community, including institutions for afflicted children. (4) Visiting and oversight of all children placed by the Courts under the legal supervision of Child Welfare Officers. (5) Inquiry and investigation of all cases coming before Children's Courts. (6) Inquiries into cases of illegitimate births, to ensure that proper provision is being made for each child, and for the mother where she is a young single woman. (7) Administration of the Infants Act, licensing of foster-homes, and supervision of infants placed therein. (8) Inquiry into all applications for adoption of children. (9) Inspection and registration of private institutions and children's homes. The early history of the Branch may be found in an article published in " Fifty Years of National Education in New Zealand " (Whitcombe and Tombs, Ltd.). This sketches the growth of the work from the earliest recorded times up to the passing of the Child Welfare Amendment Act, 1927. STAFF. During the year there were several important staff changes. Owing to ill health the late Superintendent, Mr. John Beck, retired in the early part of the year, after a little over thirty-eight years' service in the Branch. He assumed control of the Branch upon the retirement of Mr. R. H. Pope in 1917, and gave very fine service indeed to the Department. Mr. Beck early recognized the short-comings of the old system of segregating large numbers of children of varying ages and mentality in residential institutions. The larger industrial schools were closed, the system modified, and a better method of supervising children in the community adopted during his regime. Just prior to the enactment of the Child Welfare Act, 1925, the then Minister of Education, Sir James Parr, arranged for Mr. Beck to visit the United States of America and the Dominion of Canada to inquire especially into the working of the Children's Courts there. A pamphlet containing a record of Mr. Beck's visit and his recommendations has been published (Special Reports on Educational Subjects, No. 15). Mrs. C. K. Masters, Senior Child Welfare Woman Officer at Wellington, retired after twentyeight years of faithful service. She was one of the first women Visiting Officers appointed to travel the whole Dominion inspecting foster-homes. During the year Mrs. M. Hamilton was appointed to the Head Office of the Branch as Woman Inspector. Her duties include, besides assisting with the female staffs, the inspection of institutions, both departmental and private, and a survey of the methods of placement of children in private homes throughout New Zealand. Mention has been made in previous reports of proposals for the training of officers and for making better provision for preliminary study and practical experience so as to provide an avenue for those interested in this class of work. From trainees could be selected officers for particular positions either in the field or in institutions. Some time ago the Department, in calling for applications for officers, made it a condition that they must be prepared to study the legislation and literature connected with the work. Training on the job for the particular duties required is arranged by attaching new appointees to one of the larger centres, but there should, however, be some prior process of elimination so far as applicants for appointments to the child-welfare service are concerned. It is hoped to evolve some practical scheme in the near future for both efficient training and reliable tests of the results of such training as well as of general capacity. Present officers have, I am pleased to say, made a practice of studying the literature connected with child-welfare and allied problems. I wish to take this opportunity of paying a tribute to those officers who are still with us and who were members of the service during the yea;rs of the depression. We were understaffed and services had to be curtailed, but, as was to be expected, our work increased, although actual delinquency decreased. It was almost a daily occurrence for these officers to listen to stories of hardship and pleas for help, to assist older children into employment, and to advise and assist with maladjusted children in the home. Knowing all these officers and the work they were called upon to perform, I cannot speak too highly of the services they have rendered to the community during those years in particular.

Private organizations did wonderful work during this period and co-operated with our officers in endeavouring, wherever possible, to keep families intact.

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FIELD-WORK. A staff consisting at present of twenty-two male and twenty-nine female officers is stationed throughout New Zealand in the main centres of population according to the needs of each district. Besides the preventive and miscellaneous inquiry work incidental to their duties, the officers are charged with the direct supervision and placement of State wards and of children placed under their legal supervision by orders of a Children's Court. These officers report directly to the Children's Courts and are given a fairly wide discretion by the Department in dealing with all administrative matters within their districts. HONORARY CHILD WELFARE OFFICERS. In order to assist the permanent officials Honorary Child Welfare Officers, male and female, have been appointed, especially in outlying districts. It is recognized that supervision, to be of value, should be as constant as possible, and the Department wishes again to express its keen appreciation of the valuable services performed by these honorary officers. They have the right to report to the Children's Court direct and attend thereat in the interests of any child who may be required to appear before a Court. There are at present about two hundred such officers acting throughout New Zealand, and we may take this as a sign of the active interest displayed by well-thinking men and women in their desire to assist the youth of the community. These officers, in co-operation with the local police officials, frequently deal with cases themselves without any prior reference to the permanent officers of the Department, thereby not only securing greater efficiency in the individual cases, but also effecting a saving of public funds. In special cases where, for various reasons, it may not be desirable for the honorary officer to act, our permanent officials are always on hand to take the necessary action, and usually if there is any possibility of committal, or the case is a serious one they attend the Court. INSTITUTIONS. There is provision under the Child Welfare Act, 1925, for the Hon. the Minister in charge to establish such institutions as may be found necessary from time to time for the proper treatment of children requiring institutional care. In the five main centres of population small institutions, known as " receiving-homes," have been in existence for many years, and they provide for girls and young children. In addition to these institutions there are in the four main centres boys' homes where boys of about nine years of age and upwards are admitted temporarily for observation and training. A boy may have proved difficult in his foster-home and have been brought into one of these homes for a period of disciplinary training. Children's Courts have power, when making an order for supervision, to order that a boy should remain for a portion of the supervisory period—usually from three to six months —in an institution, and these boys are admitted to the boys' homes. Both the receiving and boys' homes are used for the temporary accommodation of children changing board or service situations. A start has been made at the boys' home in one centre of having a housemaster, whose duties include supervision in the evenings and week-ends when the boys are free from school. It is hoped to extend this system to other centres. Girls are sometimes placed for a period of training in receiving-homes before being placed in situations. At either class of home children may be admitted on remand or on warrant issued under section 13 (2) of the Act, pending the hearing of a complaint or information in the Court. In Wellington the Department has a hostel with accommodation for about sixteen girls. These are usually apprenticed to trades or employed in shops or offices. This institution has proved of great assistance to the Department in providing for certain types of girl, and a short report on the working of the hostel for the year is to be found further on in this report. Some eighteen years ago the Department had a small clothing-factory attached to what was then the Girls' Industrial School in Dunedin. When that institution was closed the factory was transferred to Wellington as part of the institution there. Since its inception it has been in charge of a competent forewoman, Miss McKnight. The factory has proved a useful training-ground for many of our girls who are fitted for that kind of work. For cases of older children requiring a period of institutional training there are two institutionsone for boys at Weraroa, near Levin, and one for girls at Burwood, near Christchurch. As stated in a previous report, the buildings at Weraroa are now old and unsuitable for the proper training and classification of the boys, and a scheme for the erection of new buildings on the cottage system has been approved. This will make for a better classification of the boys than is possible at present. A start has been made, however, in this direction in the existing buildings, and the process of re-organization is proceeding steadily. For the year ended 31st March, 1939, 29 new cases were admitted to the Girls' Home at Burwood. The average age at admission was sixteen years and one month. The standard of education of these girls at admission was : Standard IV, 5 ; Standard V, 9 ; Standard VI, 4 ; Proficiency Certificate, 4 ; Competency Certificate, 2 ; post-primary education, 5. Thirty-nine girls left during the year, and of these 10 were returned to parents ; 6 were found unsuitable for further training (of these 2'were transferred to Templeton Farm, 3 to private institutions, and 1 was returned to a receiving-home with a view to being placed out) ; 15 were discharged from control; 7 were transferred to other districts to be placed in situations; and 1 girl was married.

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Regarding admissions it may be stated that the usual practice is for a girl to be thoroughly tried out in a private foster-home or in a receiving-home before being admitted to Burwood, but at times with older girls it is necessary to send them direct from the Courts to Burwood. Of the 29 girls admitted last year 15 had to be admitted within a day or two of their appearance at Court. For the previous year ended 31st March, 1938, there were 38 new admissions, while 45 left the institution. A description of the activities of this institution is given in the Principal's report, which appears below. The average period of residence of the girls taken over a number of years is approximately one year eight months. It is the practice to try girls out at day service first before giving them the opportunity of taking a position in a private home in the ordinary way. This system has proved very satisfactory. The girls during this period of day service return to the institution each night, and the officers, by friendly guidance and assistance, prepare the way for a girl to assume full responsibility when she is given the opportunity of taking a situation in the same way as other girls. At the Boys' Training Farm at Weraroa day service for the boys would hardly be practicable, but there has been instituted a division in which a boy, whose conduct has improved sufficiently, is placed for a short period. He is paid a small weekly sum for his services and given much the same liberty as a boy would have in any well-ordered home. If he proves trustworthy his stay there is short, and he is then placed out in the community in the ordinary way. At holiday time a number of boys arc allowed to visit their homes, unless the home conditions are regarded as so unsatisfactory that it would not be in the boy's interest to give him the privilege. It has been found that the granting of this leave has been appreciated by the boys, and, with one or two exceptions, the privilege has not been abused. At Weraroa every boy is medically examined by a local doctor as soon as he is admitted. Regarding dietary at the institutions, I may say that officers of the Health Department have commented favourably on the menus provided, and have made suggestions for improvement, which the Department has gladly followed. Backward children who cannot be educated at the special classes in the public schools are admitted to either of two residential institutions provided for the purpose. One of these, at Richmond near Nelson, is for girls, and one, at Otekaike, near Oamaru, for boys. At both these institutions there is a highly qualified staff of teachers. Some of the children qualify after a period of training to return home and are admitted to a public school, and some are returned to foster-homes and again placed in the community. Others complete their school period at the institution and are then taken into the house or industrial section for further training before being placed in a situation. The children, when placed out, are supervised by the Child Welfare Officers of the district in which they may reside. Particulars and workings of these institutions for the year appear further on in the report. In connection with its problem cases, including those in institutions, the Department again desires to record its appreciation of the services rendered by Dr. J. Russell, the Deputy Director-General of Mental Hospitals, an experienced psychiatrist, who has examined and reported upon a large number of children referred to him by the Branch, and who has kept in close contact with the Department's residential institutions. In the preventive field also his work is invaluable ; parents with problem children call upon him or are referred to him for advice, the outcome of which is that frequently satisfactory adjustments in family and community relationships are made. His services have also been utilized to a large extent in connection with special investigations for the information of Children's Courts and with examination of cases where any instability or mental retardation in the child is considered to be a vital factor. Girls' Home, Burwood : Report of Principal. I have to report a further record of good health during the past year in this institution, which has been safeguarded by a liberal and varied diet, plenty of out-door exercise, and the provision of expert medical and dental care when necessary. About six hours each day are given to a careful training in all types of household work, dressmaking and sewing, and gardening and poultry-keeping, and every girl also attends daily classes where she is kept abreast of current events, encouraged in general reading and the intelligent use of newspapers, and taught singing and many types of handicraft and fine needlework. In connection with these classes mention may be made of the advantage taken of the broadcasts to schools, the special educational facilities and lectures at the Canterbury Museum, and the Country Library Service to which we are linked. The girls attend their own local churches, and, in most instances, the Bible classes connected with them. They also attend the socials, picnics, &c., organized in connection with them, and those who form the choir of the Burwood Anglican Church take part in the choral festival at the Cathedral annually. During 1938 three girls were baptised and thirteen were confirmed. With our girls, who are mostly of a pleasure-loving type, we consider it essential to provide ample facilities to foster the broader and more balanced use of leisure. We are fortunate in having a good swimming-bath and Opportunities for outdoor sports, as well as indoor games and dancing daily. We have a branch [of the Junior Bed Cross, drama and bridge clubs, and great interest is shown in classes in first aid and home nursing, for which we are indebted to officers of the St. John Ambulance Brigade. During the winter short courses on mothereraft were also taken by a Plunket Nurse. The girls have also attended any outstanding films which have come to Christchureh, and small parties go regularly for tramps or to the beach during the hottest months. The outstanding events of the past year have been, in addition to our annual fete, a dance last winter to which we invited the members of Toe H and the local Bible classes, a visit as guests of the Christchurch Repertory Society to " Pride and Prejudice," and a Christmas Eve party given by one house for the rest of the girls and staff, which, after dancing, one-act plays, and supper, . concluded with Nativity Shadow Tableaux accompanied by carol-singing.

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One of the most critical periods in the care of the girls comes with their re-establishment in the community, and we find this is usually best accomplished gradually. Our girls are in practically every case best fitted for domestic work, in which they also have the advantages of good homes and some supervision. Most girls go first of all to help on odd days in neighbouring houses, and then go out to service daily, and finally to resident positions where they can eventually manage all their own affairs. We always have a waiting-list of employers anxious to have one of our trained girls. C. M. Findlay, Principal. Girls' Hostel, Wellington : Annual Report of Matron. The working of the Hostel for the year is as follows : Number of girls in residence at 31st March, 1939, 17 ; number admitted during the year, 19 ; number left, 19. Of the number who left the Hostel during the year, 8 are placed at domestic service, 5 are placed at private board (4 of these were employed as dressmakers, and 1 as a shorthand-typiste), 5 transferred to other institutions, and I returned to relatives. Children passing through Wellington who were accommodated for the day at the Hostel during the year numbered 47. Each Wednesday and Sunday the service girls visit the Hostel during the afternoon and evening, and those who have gone to private board also call fairly regularly. Tho general health of the girls is excellent. They are placed in suitable positions, and the various employers report favourably on their work. Six girls have been attending evening classes at the Technical School. The customary recreations have been followed, including basket-ball, swimming, dancing, &c., and a number of picnics and parties have been held during the year. The general working has been practically the same as described in last year's report. The 17 girls in the Hostel at tho 31st March were employed as follows: 1 shop-assistant, 1 furrier, 3 dressmakers, 5 in the Department's clothing-factory at Miramar, I printing-office employee, 2 housemaids, and 4 tailoresses. I. Williams, Matron. Boys' Training Farm, Weraroa : Report of the Acting-Manager. A total of 93 boys were admitted during the year, 57 were placed in situations, 17 returned to their homes under license, and 10 were transferred to other institutions, leaving at the 31st March, 1939, a total of 66 boys on the roll. The health of the boys has, on the whole, been excellent. The work of the institution has proceeded along the same lines as in former years. Boys have shown improvement in all lines of industry carried out on the farm. Recreation has been well catered for, both indoor and outdoor, several competitions' having been arranged with local organizations. A system of grouping boys, under a group leader, has been inaugurated with much success. Several of the better-behaved boys were allowed to spend Christinas and Easter holidays with parents and friends, and this privilege proved beneficial as an encouragement to maintaining improvement in general conduct. J. J. Hebcock, Acting-Manager.

SMALLER INSTITUTIONS. Table 1.-Particulars of Inmates in Residence for the Year. Receiving-homes.

Boys' Homes.

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Total Number of Children Average Daily Number. passing through the Home during the Year. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Auckland .. .. .. 3-01 14-39 32 122 Hamilton .. .. .. 3-49 4-94 57 60 Wellington .. .. .. 3-52 13-18 29 106 Christchurcli .. .. 1-34 20-86 94 183 Dunedin .. .. •• ■■ 11-17 12 89 Total '.. 11-36 64-54 224 560

. r . Total Number passV Numbcr al Y in § U " ng • Auckland. .. .. .. 22-12 162 Wellington .. . • .. • • 14-85 168 Christchurch .. .. .. .. 16-46 185 Dunedin .. • • • ■ • • 10-42 76 Total .. .. 63-85 591

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PREVENTIVE WORK. I look upon the preventive side of our work as of the greatest importance. It is our aim, by constructive social-service activities, to prevent as far as may be possible a continuation of conditions under which a child is disposed to develop anti-social tendencies which may lead later to his appearance in a Children's Court charged with some offence ; also by the same methods to improve conditions generally for the handicapped child. Cases are reported to the Department by parents or relatives, school-teachers, school medical officers, the police, welfare agencies, or interested private persons. The Child Welfare Officer then visits the home to ascertain conditions, and as a first essential must gain the confidence of the parents. Without their co-operation little can be done. It is gratifying to state that this is forthcoming in the great majority of cases. Where the parents are genuinely interested in their children any little first resentment is soon broken down. It cannot be too strongly urged that the well-being of children and the safeguarding of their interests are never entirely the duty of any one section of the community. The best results can be obtained only by the fullest co-operation of all, including parents, teachers, clergymen, police and Court officials, social-service organizations, and all private citizens having the interests of young people at heart. It would be very difficult to state with any degree of certainty the causes of juvenile crime or delinquency in individual cases. There is no question, however, but that broken homes and lack of parental control are a frequent predisposing factor in juvenile delinquency. Often the attitude of the parents towards their children is caused through a lack of appreciation of the possible harm that may result therefrom. This has proved to be so on numerous occasions when our officers have, with beneficial results, suggested a different line of approach. Generally speaking, parents are found to be willing to co-operate. We are at present considering what further action might be taken to secure the fullest co-operation from parents. Reference to reports from other countries shows that the position with regard to juvenile delinquency is very much the same in all countries. When one looks around the world to-day one wonders whether the social institutions, including the education systems, of the various countries have evolved on proper lines. I suggest that there is evidence of a lack of the kind of training that would make the child better fitted later for parenthood and its attendant responsibilities. The cinema has been blamed for being one of the causes of juvenile delinquency, but I must say that no substantial evidence is forthcoming to support such a statement, so far as this country is concerned. Bather, indeed, I look upon it -as an aid to the general training of the child, but the parent should exercise common-sense in the child's attendances. Indecent publications have a deteriorative effect on children, and parents should exercise a wise supervision of their children's reading. At the end of the year there was a total of 1,691 such children in their own homes under supervision of Child Welfare Officers. Table 2. —Preventive Cases. The following table shows the number of cases notified by Child Welfare Officers during the year ended 31st March, 1939 : —

ANNUAL REPORTS TO CHILDREN'S COURTS. In order to assist the Courts, and with a view also to having some definite records in the matter, the Department requires the District Child Welfare Officers to submit to the presiding Magistrates and to the Department a report at the end of each year on the cases dealt with during the year. These

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District. | Number of Families. North Auckland .. .. .. .. .. 14 41 Auckland .. .. .. .. .. 28 46 Hamilton .. .. .. .. .. 62 244 Gisborne .. .. .. .. .. 26 53 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. .. .. 13 21 Hawera .. .. .. .. .. 54 93 Wanganui .. .. . . .. .. 17 38 Palmerston North .. .. .. .. 18 47 Wellington .. .. .. .. .. 33 48 Nelson and Marlborough . . . . . . . . 4 15 West Coast (South Island) .. .. .. .. 6 19 North Canterbury .. . . . . .. 42 51 South Canterbury .. .. .. .. 22 48 Otago .. .. .. .. .. 37 65 Southland .. . . . . . . . . 13 19 Totals .. .. .. .. 389 848

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records give the cause of each appearance and the action taken, the numbers placed under supervision and the general results following this procedure, the number of repeaters, and generally the position so far as the court work is concerned. The tables showing the numbers dealt with in each district are given later on in the report, and the following are extracts from the officers' reports in the different districts Whancjarei District. —There is a gratifying decrease in the number of children coming before the Court as indigent. Although the total decrease in the number of cases coming before the Courts is slight, I am of the opinion that, taking the position as a whole, there is a considerable improvement with regard to juvenile delinquency generally. Auckland District.—lt will be noted that the majority of the children giving trouble are between the ages of thirteen and seventeen years. "How Employed." Pre-school age, 34; primary school, 190; secondary school, 47; working, 124; unemployed, 34 (43 were unemployed in 1938) : Total appearances, 429. Hamilton District. —Total appearances at Courts, 180, against 191 last year. There is no increase in the serious type of offences, while theft has dropped considerably. Twelve boys appeared before the Court a second time. Of these, 5 were admonished and discharged because the offences were of a trivial nature ; 5 were committed to the care of the Superintendent, while 1 was sentenced to a term in a Borstal institution. Of the total of 136 supervised, only 5 had to be committed. This is an illustration of the excellent work being carried out by our Honorary Child Welfare Officers all over this district and proves that the personal touch provides the best form of supervision. Gisborne District. —No boy or girl appeared before the Court during the year while under current supervision. Taranaki District.—With regard to the work for the past year, it is pleasing to note the large reduction of cases (50) and a corresponding reduction in the more serious offences throughout the district. Cases of delinquency are accounted for mainly through lack of parental control, lack of harmony in the home, parents living apart or divorced. Paimerston North District. —A total of 110 oases appeared before the Court during the year, and of this number 26 were girls. In the previous year 151 cases were dealt with, and it is pleasing to note a decrease of 41 cases this year. An examination of the figures shows that the decrease is largely accounted for by the reduction in the number of mischief and wilful damage cases (from 38 to 4), while theft also shows a decrease of 22. Car conversions, however, total 17, compared with 6 for the previous year. The progress made by boys under supervision has been most satisfactory. Informal supervision was arranged in 34 cases —referred either by social organizations or the parents. The causes that led to inquiry are : Irregular attendance at school, 1 ; poor environment, 22 ; wayward and difficult to control, 9 ; petty thieving habits, 2. Wellington District. —There is a decrease of 108 cases on last year's total of 467. The total number of boys placed under supervision was 98, compared with 92 the previous year. The average number under supervision was 133 for the year. The recidivists numbered 8, compared with 24 for the previous year, which is a most pleasing result of supervisory control. An analysis of the home circumstances of the 8 boys shows that in each of 6 cases there was only one parent, the father being either deceased or a deserter. The 98 boys placed under supervision were at the end of the year 31st March occupied as under : — Primary school, 32 ; secondary school, 9 ; factory hands, 8 ; message-boys, 6 ; and the remainder were occupied in a variety of occupations, there being a total of 54 in employment. West Coast (South Island). —The total number of cases appearing before the Courts for the year ended 31st March, 1939, was 119, against 57 for the previous year, but the increase was largely due to increases in breaches of by-laws. Christchurch District.—The number of children appearing before the Court was 412, as against 527 last year. It will be noted that the number of boys between the ages of eight and eighteen years was 324, against 4-20 for the previous year, a decrease of 96. There was a notable decrease of 45 and 79 in theft and by-law breaches respectively, and increases in breaking and entering offences (13), mischief and wilful damage (26), and disorderly behaviour (11). As mentioned in previous reports, poor home training and control are responsible for much of the delinquency. Timaru District. —A total of 44 cases of breaches of by-laws or traffic regulations were reported by the Borough Traffic Inspector, but were not brought before the Courts. In each case the offender was warned and parents advised that repetition of the offence would result in prosecution. It is interesting to note that during the six years in which these cases have been reported to me by the Traffic Borough Inspector only one case has been detected for a second offence, he being prosecuted and fined a nominal amount. There is a decrease (11) in the number of children appearing before the Court, with a total of 87. (Note. —A report to another Magistrate who had jurisdiction over a part of the South Canterbury district showed the total Court appearances for the year to be 28, as against 31 last year.) It is noted that there has been a decided lack of parental control in several cases which have come under notice, but when the position has been pointed out to the parents or guardians concerned a marked improvement has followed.

8

8.-4.

Dunedin District.—The total number appearing before the Courts was 200, as against 157 last year. Of the total number of boys appearing before the Court, 28 were unemployed at the time of their appearance, and all of these have been placed in suitable situations. In all cases placed under our supervision we have had the co-operation of the parents. Invercargill District —There was, unfortunately, a big increase in the number of cases dealt with this year (166), as compared with last year (108). This increase is due not only to extra by-law cases, but also to cases of mischief, breaking, entering, and theft. We find the control of children and parental discipline lamentably slack. CASES APPEARING BEFORE THE CHILDREN'S COURTS. It will be seen from Table 4 that there is a slight decrease in the total number of children appearing in the Courts as compared with the number for the previous year (2,801, as against 2,982). It will be noted that there is an increase in the number of charges of theft for last year, but a decrease in the number of charges of delinquency. The two charges, however, should be considered together, as in many instances a boy who commits theft may have been getting into mischief and generally shown anti-social conduct, so that ho is charged as delinquent instead of with theft. The number of children dealt with by the Children's Courts during the year was 2,801, and of these, 744 were placed under the supervision of Child Welfare Officers, while 10 had their supervision period extended. Of the children placed under supervision, 40 were subsequently committed to the care of the Superintendent. The number committed to the care of the Superintendent and admitted to institutions such as receiving-homes, special schools, training-farms, &c., was 501, but all these, with the exception of 186 (119 boys and 67 girls), who required further training, were suitably placed out in the community before the close of the year. The remainder (1,556) appearing before the Courts were dealt with in a manner not calling for supervision by a Child Welfare Officer (see details below). At the 31st March, 1939, there was a total number of 973 children under the supervision of Child Welfare Officers by order of the Courts. Of the number (744) placed under supervision this year, 79 had previously been dealt with by the Courts and placed under supervision. The Courts ordered 15 children to spend a period in an institution. The following is a comparative statement of the number of children that appeared before the Children's Courts, and the action taken: —

Table 3.

Note. —Convictions mostly comprise cases that came before the Courts for offences arising out of breaches of Traffic Regulations, by-laws, &c.

2—E. 4.

9

1937-1938-38. 39. Committed to the care of the Superintendent 503 501 Placed under supervision .. .. 674 718 Admonished and discharged .. .. 761 618 Admonished and ordered to make restitution 268 266 Adjourned .. .. .. 45 59 Dismissed .. .. .. 68 81 Supervision extended .. .. .. 26 19 Committed to Borstal .. .. .. 17 20 Convicted and fined .. .. .. 4 10 Returned to the care of the Superintendent 40 44 Adjourned sine die .. .. 23 10 Admonished with costs .. .. .. 9 21 Withdrawn .. .. . • .. 21 13 Admonished and fined .. .. 18 7 Convicted and ordered to come up for 6 sentence Ordered to come up for sentence .. .. 14 12 Supervision with residence .. .. 9 15 Probation .. . ■ . • ■ ■ 3 10 • Admonished and driving license cancelled .. 1 Convicted and discharged .. .. 4 3 Discharged .. .. .. • • 6 Convicted and costs .. .. .. 5 5 Ordered to pay costs .. .. .. 2 Referred to Magistrates' Court .. .. 1 3 Convicted and fined and driving lioense can- 1 celled Convicted and discharged and ordered to 2 make restitution Convicted and ordered to be returned to 1 training-farm Informal supervision .. .. .. 4 2 Convicted and discharged and driving license 1 endorsed Admonished and discharged and stolen 9 property returned

1937-1938-38. 39. Admonished and discharged and restitution 24 made Fined.. .. .. .. .. 48 54 Agreement enforced (section 13 (3), Child 1 Welfare Amendment Act, 1927) Admonished and returned to parents .. 1 Remanded to Supremo Court .. . . 1 Ordered to pay costs .. .. .. .. 2 Case struck out .. .. .. .. 2 Fined and driving license cancelled . . .. 1 Fined and prohibited from obtaining a license .. 1 Admonished and license suspended .. .. 1 Convicted and license suspended .. .. 1 Convicted and costs and license endorsed .. 2 Borstal term extended .. .. .. .. 2 Convicted .. .. .. .. .. 1 By-law cases— Admonished and discharged .. .. 169 141 Convicted and fined and/or costs .. 16 13 Fined and/or costs .. .. .. 135 91 Dismissed .. . . .. .. 4 3 Admonished and costs .. .. 22 13 Convicted and discharged . . .. 2 1 Admonished and fined .. .. 10 24 Withdrawn .. .. .. .. 1 Discharged .. .. .. .. 1 1 Referred to Magistrates' Court .. 1 Adjourned .. .. .. .. .. 1 Admonished and discharged and ordered .. 5 to make restitution Ordered to pay costs .. .. .. .. 4 Totals .. .. .. 2,982 2,801

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

E.—4.

Table 5. —Children appearing before the Courts during the Year ended 31st March, 1939, and placed under the Supervision of Child Welfare Officers. (Section 13(4).)

Note.—Ten of the above were again before the Courts during the period and were placed under a further term of supervision, 40 were again before the Courts during this period and were committed to the care of the Superintendent, 27 were already under supervision, and 15 were ordered to spend a period in an institution. Furthermore, 52 had previously been under supervision. BOARDING-OUT OR PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN IN PRIVATE HOMES. The number of children boarded' out at the end of the year was 2,059. The quality of the homes is, on the whole, quite good, and the Department is at present taking steps to check up on the standards adopted in each of the various districts with a view to remedying any defects or improving conditions wherever possible. Any complaint regarding a home is investigated immediately. Honorary Child Welfare Officers and local persons interested in child-welfare frequently assist especially in ensuring that the child takes part in the ordinary social life of the community. PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN IN SITUATIONS AND ALLOCATION OF THEIR EARNINGS. Generally speaking, State wards, if normal children, are placed in employment on the same conditions as other young people so far as wages, &c., are concerned. The Hon. the Minister has special powers to facilitate the employment of those young people who are mentally, physically, or socially unable to compete on equal terms with their fellow-workers of the same age. The placing of certain handicapped children in the right environment is regarded as being of the greatest importance. All license agreements or contracts, which are drawn up for periods ranging from three to twelve months are subject to constant review in the Head Office as well as in the District Offices. Particulars showing the occupations of young people in employment at the 31st March last are shown under the heading " Young Persons in Employment " later in this report. When a child first goes to service, he (or she) is allowed a portion of his wages for pocket-money ; the balance is banked by the Department and is drawn out as required for clothing, dentistry, &c. Later he (or she) is given an increasing portion, with the object of training him to appreciate the value of money, to spend it wisely, and to purchase his own clothing under supervision. As a prelude to final discharge he is placed for a period of six months or longer on the status of service agreement. This means that he receives all his wages and can choose his own situations, except that his supervising officer must approve of his place of employment. The money banked by the Department (section 37 of the Child Welfare Act, 1925) may be paid over at any time, and the Department, as trustee, endeavours to guide these young people in investing ©r utilizing their money to the best advantage. This is essential in those cases where the young people concerned may be mentally retarded and require in their own interests friendly supervision for a longer period than is necessary with the ordinary normal youth. Applications for assistance with board, clothing, medical attention, dentistry, &c., are promptly attended to. The balance of money banked is generally paid over to the young person concerned after he attains the age of twenty-one years. POST-PRIMARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION. Boys and girls under the guardianship of the State have the same opportunity as other children of receiving primary or higher education. As a general rule children remain in their foster-homes and attend the nearest schools. Pupils who show special aptitude are helped by the Department to the University. The number of children receiving post-primary or higher education at the end of the year was 208. In this connection it may be noted that for some fifteen years there has functioned in Auckland a hostel for boys receiving post-primary education which has been carried on with assistance from the Y.M.C.A. and the Costley Trustees. The Department is deeply indebted to the officials of these two bodies in Auckland, who, recognizing the need of certain boys to be helped with post-primary education, came forward with definite proposals, backed financially, to further the interests of young people who were not in the position to progress without outside assistance. Most of the boys at the hostel attended the Mount Albert Grammar School. We pay tribute to the personal interest of the staff of this institution under Mr. F: W. Gamble, the Headmaster. A special reference to the good work done by the Costley Trustees is mentioned later on in this report.

11

| Boys. | Girls. Totals. Charged with an offence .. .. .. .. 441 25 466 Delinquent . . .. . . .. . . . . 131 9 140 Not under proper control .. .. .. .. 80 18 98 In detrimental environment .. .. .. .. 5 8 13 Indigent .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 1 3 Neglected .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 7 22 Informal supervision .. . . . . . . ., 1 1 2 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 675 69 744

E.—4.

PRIMARY EDUCATION. The following table, classifying the children according to average age (in years) in the respective classes as at the Ist July, 1938, enables a comparison to be made between State wards attending primary schools and children (including State wards) attending the same schools. The number of State wards attending primary schools was 1,710, while the proportion of State wards to all pupils at that date was approximately 1 to 114.

Table 6.—Average Ages of State Wards and Children attending Primary Schools.

CHILDREN UNDER THE GUARDIANSHIP OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE CHILD WELFARE BRANCH. At the 31st March, 1939, there were 4,286 children under control (excluding those mentioned under separate headings below), and of these, 2,059 were boarded out in foster-homes ; 843 were in licensed situations ; 537 residing under license with relatives and friends ; 259 were in residence at Government receiving-homes (many of these only temporarily), training-farms, and training institutions; 236 in special schools for mentally backward children ; and 51 in the four Roman Catholic schools recognized under the Child Welfare Act. The remainder were in various private institutions.

Table 7. —Status of Children and Young Persons under Guardianship of the Superintendent at the 31st March, 1939.

YOUNG PERSONS IN EMPLOYMENT. At the 31st March, 1939, there were in employment 1,161 (738 males and 423 females) State wards, representing slightly more than one-fourth of the young people (4,286) under control. Of those employed, 308 (202 males and 106 females) were residing with friends or relatives on license (section 20 of the Child Welfare Act, 1925), while the remainder (853) were supervised in situations by Child Welfare Officers. Of the males (536) supervised by Child Welfare Officers, 376 were farm hands (144 skilled in dairy work and cheesemaking and 232 competent to milk and carry out general farm-work), 36 factory employees, 14 labourers, 14 store and shop assistants, 7 Post and Telegraph messengers, 6 mechanics, 5 clerks, 5 warehouse assistants, 5 bootmakers, 5 body-builders, 4 painters, 4 electrical engineers, 4 cabinet-makers, 4 jockeys, 3 carpenters, 3 freezing-works employees, 3 motor-drivers, 3 car-painters, 3 butchers, 3 Railway workshop employees, 2 seamen, 2 bakers, 2 panel-beaters,

12

Class P. S. I. S. II. S. III. S. IV. F. I (S. V). P. II (S. VI). Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Primary schools 6-74 6-65 8-54 8-36 9-72 9-4910-77 10-5411-7411-51 12-6212-3813-3313-14 State wards .. 6-81 7-04- 8-97 8-9010-01 9-9111-0810-9912-09 12-06 13-0812-86 13-69 13-70

Status. Boys. Girls. Totals. In residence .. .. .. • ■ • • 147 112 259 Boarded out .. .. .. •• 1,176 883 2,059 At service (includes 3 boys and 15 girls at day service) 535 308 843 With, friends .. .. .. .. .. 322 215 537 In hospitals, convalescent homes, &c. .. .. 84 41 125 In refuges, and cognate institutions .. .. .. 9 22 31 In children's homes registered under Part I, Child Welfare 23 47 70 Amendment Act, 1927 Absent without leave .. .. .. .. 13 8 21 In Y.M.C.A. Hostel, Auckland .. .. .. 15 .. 15 In colleges and residential schools .. .. .. 4 14 18 In girls' hostel, Wellington .. .. .. .. 17 17 In residence, private institutions (Roman Catholic) .. 28 23 51 In schools for mentally backward .. .. .. 166 70 236 In School for Deaf, Sumner .. .. .. 1 3 4 Totals .. .. .. .. 2,523 1,763 4,286

E.—4.

2 gardeners, 2 messengers, 2 hairdressers, 2 metal-workers, 2 brass-finishers, 1 steward, 1 engineer 1 electro-plater, 1 postman, 1 garage assistant, 1 milk roundsman, 1 sawmill hand, 1 bowser-attendant, 1 porter, 1 flourmill hand, 1 machinist, 1 printer and binder, and 1 moulder. Of the females (317) supervised by Child Welfare Officers, 179 were domestics, 58 factory employees, 15 shop-assistants, 14 tailoresses, 10 typistes, 10 machinists, 10 dressmakers, 6 assisting on farms, 5 waitresses, 4 clerks, 2 book-binders, 1 milliner, 1 laundress, 1 wardsmaid, and 1 furrier. Sixty-two (20 skilled and 42 unskilled) of the males residing with friends or relatives (202) were employed on farm-work, 53 were factory employees, 23 labourers, 13 store and shop assistants, 6 engineers, 3 garage assistants, 3 warehouse assistants, 3 motor-drivers, 3 freezing-works employees, 3 gardeners, 3 body-builders, 2 messengers, 2 machinists, 2 clerks, 2 motor-car painters, 2 plasterers, 2 carpenters, 1 jockey, 1 painter, 1 baker, 1 cook, 1 flourmill hand, 1 porter, 1 bowser-attendant, 1 sawmill hand, 1 butcher, 1 Post and Telegraph messenger, 1 cabinet-maker, 1 hairdresser, 1 basketmaker, 1 metal-worker, and 1 plumber. Of the females residing with friends or relatives (106), 54 were domestics, 33 factory employees, 5 shop-assistants, 3 waitresses, 2 clerks, 2 dressmakers, 1 milliner, 1 laundress, 1 nurse, 1 tailoress, 1 furrier, 1 machinist, and 1 masseuse. Of the total (1,161) above, 168 (84 boys and 84 girls, including some apprentices) were being partly maintained by the State. The following table shows the admissions according to age : —

Table 8. —Committals and Admissions during the Year ended 31st March, 1939.

Table 9 below stows the admissions classified according to the causes of admission. Of the total number (595), 153 were indigent, 107 not under proper control, 87 charged with punishable offences, 33 delinquent, 61 living in a detrimental environment, and 58 neglected. Of the numbers committed under these headings (501), 315 (190 boys and 125 girls) were placed out in the community at the 31st March, 1939.

Table 9. —Committals and Admissions during the Year ended 31st March, 1939, classified according to Causes of Admission.

Note. —Of the number (501) actually committed to the care of the Superintendent, 84 (75 boys and 9 girls) had been previously dealt with by the Courts and placed under supervision. Of the temporary admissions, 26 (20 boys and 6 girls) were subsequently dealt with by the Courts and placed under supervision.

13

I Boys. ! Girls. Totals. | | Under six months .. .. .. .. 52 30 82 Over six months and under one year .. .. 11 12 23 One year to five years .. .. .. .. 47 35 82 Five years to ten years .. .. .. .. 45 45 90 Ten years to fourteen years .. .. .. 90 42 132 Over fourteen years .. .. .. .. 124 62 186 Totals .. .. .. .. 369 226 595

Taken charge of as ! Boys. | Girls. Totals. I I J Indigent .. .. .. .. .. 94 59 153 Delinquent .. . . .. 29 4 33 Detrimental environment .. .. .. .. 18 43 61 Neglected .. .. .. .. .. 30 28 58 Not under proper control .. .. .. .. 52 55 107 Accused or guilty of punishable offences .... 84 3 87 Admission by private arrangement (section 12, Child 6 .. 6 Welfare Act, 1925) Temporary arrangement .. .. .. .. 42 31 73 Supervision with residence .. .. .. .. 6 .. 6 Held on warrant pending decision of the Court (sect ion 13 6 3 9 (2), Child Welfare Act, 1925) Breach of supervision order (section 30, Child Welfare 2 .. 2 Amendment Act, 1927) Totals .. .. .. .. 369 226 595

E.—4.

Table 10a.—Committals and Admissions classified according to Parents' Circumstances and Character (arranged in Families).

14

Reasons for Committal and Admission of Children. i mh . gTT nj . o * ° 8 O n fl •53 o >■> ° a "5 cL-2 > . c" -+a _co f>5 aj +} Father described as Mother described a -4 s £ *2 £ r-5 13 *§ J "S § 5 & I g § W • ® eo Sd 2Q a J 3 I is M || %a t-is -il S" 3 "2 ;f flS S" 3 El\S fc 'C 'S fe -B r° fl : • 1 £ §0 15 J gg<l 1,2 H I .1 -p !.s Jflt | o B o g a ew -S3 ° o t fc j| w 3m p <ip< 2.s ! a W ' Good .. .. 25 14 4 1 37 53 25 3 3 165 Questionable .. 2 .... 1 4 3 .. .. .. 10 Bad .. ] .. .. .. l Good .. .. < Dead .. ..3 3 1 1 5 6 5 1 .. 25 Deserter .. .. 2 3 .. 1 .. 1 7 Mentally unfit .. 1 3 2 .. .. .. .. 6 Character unknown .... 1 .. .. . . 1 Good .. ..62.. 3 8 1 4 .. ..24 Questionable .. 5.. 4 4 2 4 .. .. .. 19 Bad .. .... 1 3 .. .. 1 5 Questionable .. < Dead .. .. 2.. 1 .. 1 1 .. .. .. 5 Deserter .. 1 .. .. .. 1 Mentally unfit 2 2 2 .. .. .. .. 6 > Character unknown .... 1 .. .. .. i f Good .. .. 4 1 1 .. 1 3 1 .. .. 11 I Questionable .. 2.. 1 .. 1 .. .. .. .. 4 Bad .. .. -j Bad .. .. 2 ] .. ., 3 I Dead .. .... 1 2 1 .. .. 1 .. .. 5 I Mentally unfit .. 1 . . . . . . ] Good .. .... 1 .. .. 3 7 1 1 .. 13 Questionable .. 1 1 1 .. 1 .. .. .. .. 4 Dead .. ..<1 £ ead + • -.414111 1 " 13 I Deserter .. .. 3 1 .. ,. .. 4 Mentally unfit .. 2 .. .. .. 2 I Character unknown 1 1 .. .. 2 f Good .. 1 1 1 1 .. 4 Deserter .. <J Dead .. 1 . . .. .. 1 1 Deserter . . 1 .. .. . . . , 1 I Mentally unfit ..1 1 [ Dead ' 1 " " 1 Mentally unfit .. Deserter 1 " 1 I Mentally unfit .. 1 1 .. .. .. 2 Good .. 28 1 1 2 .. .. 32 Questionable 15 1 .. 1 1 .. .. .. 18 Character Bad .. .. ! 1 .. .. ,, .. 2 | Dead .. .. 1 1 1 .. .. 3 I Mentally unfit .. 3 1 .. 1 5 > Character unknown .. 1 .. 1 .. 13 .. 4 19 Good .. .. 4.. 1 .. .. 1 .. .. 6 Questionable 1 ] .. ,, ., 2 Identity unknown J Dead . . .. 2 .. . . . . 2 j Mentally unfit .. 6 .. .. .. 6 Physically unfit 1 .. ., ., ,. ] [_ Identity unknown 1 1 .. .. .. 2 Totals .. .. 129 27 30 18 80 89 59 6 9 *447 * This figure represents 595 children.

E.—4.

Table 10b. —Parents described as addicted to Drink at Time of Admission and Committal of Children (included in Table 10a above).

In the- case of 32 of the children mentioned in Tables 10a and 10b the parents were living apart or were divorced, and 23 families were represented. Twenty were orphans, 63 mother dead, and 40 father dead.

Table 11.—Committals and Admissions classified according to Religious Beliefs.

The records show that of this total 154, or 25-88 per cent., were known to he illegitimate. The children admitted were from the following districts : Auckland, 106 ; Christchurch, 97 ; Wellington, 54 ; Dunedin, 50 ; Invercargill, 32 ; Gisborne, 13 ; Hamilton, 12 ; Napier, 11 ; Hastings, 10; Ruatoria, 10; Palmerston North, 9 ; Tuparoa, 8 ; Westport, 8 ; Gore, 8 ; Otahuhu, 7 ; Wairoa, 7 ; Marton, 7 ; Wanganui, 6 ; Otaki, 6 ; Whangarei, 5 ; Hawera, 5 ; Inglewood, 5 ; Foxton, 5 ; Lower Hutt, 5 ; Timaru, 5 ; Oamaru, 5 ; Pukekohe, 4 ; Fielding, 4 ; Motueka, 4 ; Te Araroa, 3 ; Matamata, 3 ; Thames, 3 ; Whakatane, 3 ; Taumarunui, 3 ; Waipiro Bay, 3 ; Petone, 3 ; Blenheim, 3 ; Hokitika, 3 ; Ashburton, 3 ; Balclutha, 3 ; two from each of the following places : Helensville, Te Puke, Tikitiki, Opotiki, Tokomaru Bay, Te Whaiti, New Plymouth, Raetihi, Waipukurau, Nelson, Temuka, VVaimate, Mataura ; one from each of the following places: Houhora, Kaeo, Rawene, Kaikohe, Dargaville, Warkworth, Waiuku, Tuakau, Waitakaruru, Te Aroha, Tauranga, Horotiu, Te Awamutu, Te Karaka, Taupo, Waitara, Ohakune, Taihape, Waipawa, Dannevirke, Silverstream, Moera, Kaikoura, Greymouth, Kaiapoi, Geraldine, Riverton, and Chatham Islands—36o from the North Island and 235 from the South Island, a total of 595.

Table 12.—Inmates discharged from Control during the Year ended 31st March, 1939.

The average at discharge was seventeen years two months.

15

Reasons for Committal and Admission of Children. g „ ° in § g >>,8 -8-° £ -g §.2 > & £ S .3 « S S , . <H O TJlJ 0} 3 Cl ® fe * -4- 1 Q Father described as Mother described as -e £ c§ V, £ I I 3| I tl *3 8 JJ I? 1 i i Is I II n-sj il If i M fl £ 3 S- 13 "<55 «3q3 do H 2 -p Sa° "ta Ph n ri p O g 3 ft-S S 3 00 -g !z; 8dag-&=c ;o u> a Good .. 2 .. 3 .. .. 5 Questionable 1 1 . . . . .. .. 2 Addicted to drink <j Bad .. 1 . . .. 1 Dead .. .... 1 1 .. 1 .. .. .. .. 3 Mentally unfit 1 .. 1 .. .. .. .. 2 Totals .. .. 1 2 ] 5 .. I 4 .. .. *13 i I L_ * This figure represents 28 children.

• M •— • GO fc- GO -JS "X P S •f cS r '—; o i |i « °° m 8 «' •»«S J CO ?, 5 - g-go,a S 3 g O | .Jh es _P 2 t« C-SdO fl <1 0> cS m ri • ■Ss | 5 | 3 & s 53 p a> | -S I 3 n9 u ,5? *h rj ■'I Q) 2 J5 o <1 PS CM P5 PQ o oq Ph £ p H Number .. 257 124 110 33 25 9 7 5 4 1 1 1 1 1 16 595 Percentage .. 43-11 20-8418-49 5-554-28 i-51 1 • 180-840-660-170-170-170-170-17 2.69 100-00

I Boys. Girls. j Total. | Discharged (section 23, Child Welfare Act, 1925) .. 224 97 321 Attained the age of twenty-one years .. .. 11 17 28 Adopted .. .. .. .. .. 18 18 36 Returned to relatives .. .. .. ... 57 38 95 Died .. .. •. • • • • .. I 6 10 16 Married .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 27 27 Extended control expired .. . . .. . . j .. 1 1 Totals .. .. .. .. 316 208 524-

E.—4.

Table 13.—Institutions for Backward Children: Numbers at 31st March, 1939.

Tliese two institutions, which, are also gazetted as institutions under the Child Welfare Act, 1925, provide for children who, being mentally retarded, cannot, for one reason or another, be taught efficiently at the ordinary school or provided for at a special class. The school curriculum is adjusted to meet the needs of the pupils and is administered by specially-trained teachers of long experience in this particular work. Handwork, of course, occupies a prominent place. The health of the children at both institutions during the year was very good. A competent nurse is attached to the staff of each institution. The annual reports of the officers in charge of the institutions is attached. SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR BOYS, OTEKAIKE: REPORT OE MANAGER. I beg to submit herewith my report for the year ended 31st March, 1939 : — At the 31st March, 1939, the number of boys in residence was 191 ; of these, 139 were in the day-school section and 52 in the industrial department. Sixty-two pupils were admitted during the year and 71 left the institution. Of those who left, 64 returned to ordinary life in the community, 7 were found to be unsuitable for training in the institution (of these 4 were transferred to custodial homes), and 3 to the Boys' Training Farm, Weraroa). In the industrial department the boys received training in farm, garden, and orchard work, bootmaking and repairing, coir-mat making, carpentry, and general domestic work (laundry, kitchen, &c.). The farm supplied the requirements of the institution for fresh milk, meat, and potatoes. The garden produced an abundant supply of fresh vegetables, and, in addition, all the fruit required for jam-making, &c. In the bootshop the boots required by the inmates during the year were made, and all the repairs necessary to boots, harness, &c., were carried out. Coir-mats, seagrass-furniture, and basketware were made in the basketshop. The average chronological age of the 139 boys in the day school was twelve years two months, and the average I.Q. (Terman) 70. Throughout the year the usual recreational activities were carried on, and we are indebted to several visitors for providing entertainment for the children. Early in the year the Kurow Branch of the Women's Division of the Farmers' Union gave a concert at the school. Later Mr. Brailsford, W.E.A. lecturer, gave a lantern lecture on " Japan." Mr. J. Rutherford, ex Director of Education, Samoa, also gave an address on Samoa, illustrated by the film, " Moana of the South Seas." In December the Oamaru Toe H members provided a Christmas treat in the form of a picnic. All these entertainments were much enjoyed by the boys and staff, who appreciate the interest of these visitors. The children also enjoyed several picnics, provided by the institution. Last year we were pleased to accept the invitation of the committee of the Oamaru Musical Festival to participate in their annual function, a group of twenty boys contributing two items. The Otago Inspectors, the Physical Instructor, and the Supervisor of Manual Training have paid their usual visits. Mr. Green, Supervisor of Manual Training, has arranged for the weekly visit of the Woodwork Instructor for North Otago centres. The health of the inmates of the institution during the year was good. W. Meikleham, Manager. SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, RICHMOND: REPORT OF PRINCIPAL. I have the honour to submit the following report for the year ended 31st March, 1939:— On the Ist April, 1938, there were 82 girls on the register. Of these, 2 were day pupils, 4 at day service, 4 in custodial institutions, and 72 resident boarders. During the year 34 girls were admitted, the youngest under seven years of age, and 26 were discharged. Of these, 8 were then on holiday or between positions, 1 day pupil finished" her schooling, 8 went to friends for service, 4 were placed in position, 2 were transferred to Mount Magdala, and 3 to receiving-homes to be placed at work. Eighteen girls spent Christmas holidays with parents or foster-parents. The remainder of the girls spent seventeen days in camp at Tahuna Beach during that time. The girls have continued playing basket-ball, tennis, and clock golf, and had several basket-ball matches with other schools. The school gained prizes at the Nelson and Richmond Shows for handwork. On two occasions a number of the girls wont to swimming sports and had some success. This was gratifying, as the girls have very little opportunity for swimming. The school girls and some house girls went to the combined school sports at Richmond and met with success in several of the events. This is the first year they have been invited to join in with other schools, and we have appreciated it very much. In November members of the Nelson Women's Club took all the girls to Wai-iti Domain for a picnic. They all went to Tahuna Beach for a picnic in December and a railway picnic to Wai-iti Domain in February. All the girls went to the first demonstration for Physical Fitness Week. None of the girls attended pictures from July to December on account of measles. We had no cases of measles among the girls. This I attribute to the fact that during the epidemic they were not allowed to go anywhere where numbers of people congregated and they were kept in the sunshine as much as possible. All the girls went twice to picture matinees in Richmond during January and to " Snow AVhite " in Nelson in February. We held a garden party in November, and displays of drill and folk-dancing were given by the girls and a sale of their handwork brought £17 for the Roereation Fund. The health of the girls has been excellent; we have had no serious sickness at all. The staff have all worked well and loyally, especially the school-teachers, who have given much of their spare time for sports and picnics. G. G. Meddins, Principal.

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(Special School for Boys, OtekaiJce, and Special School for Girls, Richmond.) Riohmond Otekaike r|1 , , 1 (Girls). (Boys). j • otaL In residence .. .. .. .. .. 72 191 263 On vacation .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 1 Day pupils .. .. .. .. .. 2 .. 2 At day service .. .. .. .. .. 4 .. 4 In hospitals, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 4 23 27 Totals 82 215 297

E.—4.

INFANT-LIFE PROTECTION. The Infants Act, 1908, provides, inter alia, for the licensing of homes and the supervision of infants placed in these homes, and for the legal adoption of children. The attached, tables show the position regarding infants in registered foster-homes and private institutions. Adoptions.-- There was an increase during the year of 110 cases. The large total of 516 children adopted during the year is a sterling tribute to the increasing number of kind-hearted persons who are willing to assume full legal custody and responsibility for young children ; in fact, we are unable at times to find suitable children for applicants. Only one order was revoked during this period because of the unsuitability of the home, probably on account of the pending birth of a child to the adoptive mother. The two orders which were varied were simply for the changing of the Christian names of the children concerned. As an adoption is such a vital happening in the life of the child, and especially the illegitimate one, it would not perhaps be out of place to give here a brief history of adoptions in New Zealand. The first adoption statute was the Adoption, of Children Act, 1881. This laid down the laws under which the adoption of children has since proceeded, although additional safeguards have been subsequently provided. This Act, however, was so clumsy that it was felt desirable to simplify it. This was done by the Adoption of Children Act, 1895, which repealed previous Acts and re-enacted the law in a simple fashion. It increased the eligible age of adoption to fifteen years and provided that where a child was over twelve years its consent was necessary. In 1906 the Adoption of Children Amendment Act provided that an adopting parent should not receive a premium in respect of an adoption except with the consent of the Magistrate. This was directed against the abuse of the adopt ion procedure whereby it was used in a few cases partly as an aid to a livelihood, or as a means of securing an immediate sum of money. Section 21 of the. Infant Life Protection Act of 1907 made a further amendment by providing that a Magistrate might in special cases in making the adoption order dispense with the consent of the parent or guardian. The statutory law of adoption as it stands to-day contains the amendments set out above and is embodied in Part 111 of the Infants Act, 1908. Stipendiary Magistrates avail themselves of the services of Child Welfare Officers in obtaining reports on applications made under Part 111 of the Act for the adoption of a child. A probationary period in the foster-home is regarded as essential before adoption is recommended. During the last five years there have been 185 adoptions of state wards. This is one result of the system of placement of children in private foster-homes and a further testimony —if one were needed — of the excellent results accruing from such a system. During the year ended 31st December, 1938, 516 children were adopted (31 being State wards), and in 15 cases premiums were approved by the Courts. Of the total number of children adopted, 106 were under the age of six months, 68 between the ages of six and twelve months, 176 between the ages of one and five years, 94 between the ages of five and ten years, and 72 between the ages of ten and fifteen years. At the end of the year 695 infants were supervised in 638 licensed foster-homes. Of these homes, 592 had one child each, 40 had two children each, 3 had three children each, 1 had four children, and 2 had five children each. Payments for maintenance, which were made by relatives, ranged from 2s. to £2 per week for each. There were 1,404 infants residing in licensed homes throughout the year, and of these 3 died.

Table 14.-Particulars of Children admitted to and removed from Licensed Foster-homes during Year ended 31st December, 1938.

3—E. 4.

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Underfill |§ g§ G$ || || Over 6 Totalgt Months.l £>h ®t* Years. | .o® On the books at 31st December, 1937 105 97 123 123 134 97 95 68 842 Placed in foster-homes or transferred 216 88 93 64 46 38 17 .. 562 from other districts during 1938 , —•— —•—■ ' Totals .. 321 185 216 187 180 135 112 68 1,404 Removed from homes during By parents or guardians .. 32 37 73 49 41 26 25 29 312 Deaths .. • • • • 1 1 • ■ • ■ • • • • } Adopted without premium .. 42 51 26 17 16 10 6 1 169 In homes to which exemption 1 2 1.3 1 was granted _ Brought under operation of 4 5 5 3 1 1 2 21 Child Welfare Act For various other reasons .. 2 5 15 10 30 24 19 91 196 Total withdrawals .. 82 101 120 82 89 61 52 122 709 On the books at 31st December, 1938 62 65 127 96 101 101 88 55 695

E.—4.

CHILDREN IN RESIDENCE IN CHILDREN'S HOMES REGISTERED UNDER PART I, CHILD WELFARE AMENDMENT ACT, 1927. The following information supplied by the authorities gives particulars of the private admissions to such homes during the year : —

Table 15.

The particulars regarding parentage were as follows : 221 children were orphans, 267 had only mother living, and 716 had only father living. BLIND CHILDREN. The education of blind children is compulsory, and, where necessary, the Department arranges for the admission of pupils to the New Zealand Institute for the Blind, a private institution situated at Auckland. There were 21 Government pupils in residence at the 31st March, 1939, but many parents arrange privately with the Institute for the admission of their children. Particulars regarding the working of this institution are contained in the annual report issued by the Institute. ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN. Provision is made in section 41 of the Child Welfare Amendment Act, 1927, for Registrars of Births to notify nominated Child Welfare Officers of all illegitimate births. It is the duty of these officers to make confidential inquiry into each case with a view to ensuring that the infant is adequately provided for, and also to assist the mother, where necessary, in the way of advice as to affiliation proceedings, securing employment when fit, advice as to the infant's placement, or other relevant matter. The Superintendent of Child Welfare may on the written application of the mother help her to establish paternity and secure a maintenance order. In this matter it may be of interest to mention that in Denmark, under an enactment which came into force on the Ist January, 1938, it was provided that children born out of wedlock shall enjoy the same legal position in relation to their parents as legitimate children. They may bear the name of either parent and have a right of option in this respect between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two years. The mother's husband may also give them his name. Provision is also made for affiliation proceedings. The following table shows the position regarding cases notified and investigated during the year. It' will be noted that there is a discrepancy in the total number of cases and the actual number reported by Registrars, but this is due to different year-ends adopted by this Department and the RegistrarGeneral's Office in compiling statistics.

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| .... . . tv ,, , . ir ,„„ I In the Homes at 31st ! a Admissions dnnng 1938. Deaths during 1938. December, 1938. I Sw ; -r _ Denomination. »„ g | & g | fjt tf ®E J J, 31 I," E°a || I- |(S ehs II l.~ &£ E2~ H c3 CO ® r ~< c3 CO Anglican .. 19 16 19 87 143 '265 1 .. 2 j .. 3 11 12 100 472 595 Roman Catholic 12 40 22 170 371 603 2 3 2 7 14 18 179 695 906 Salvation Army 14 206 | 3 41 86 336 1 .. 1 I 2 29 .. 74 344 447 Presbvterian " 16 .. 1 .. 49 118 167 82 407 489 Methodist . . 4 . . . . 6 41 47 11 160 171 Plymouth Brethren 1 .... . . 2 2 ! 1 1 .. .. 1 14 15 Baptist .. 1 .. .. 13 9 22 10 35 45 Masonic .. 2 7 7 2 21 23 Undenominational 15 14 22 339 672 1,047 1 6 70 277 354 Totals.. 84 276 66 705 1,449 2,496 2 2 6 3 ; 13 55 36 529 2,425 3,045

E.—4.

Table 16.— Illegitimate Births.

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SS« Illegitimate Births Whereabouts of Infants at 31st Makch, 1939. • notified to Child c? Welfare Officers for I j Jew: ended 31st With other T p P m a wH Committed to the March, 1939. With Mother. Relatives or j Care of the Not traced. Died or Stillborn. Adopted. J K f t | ® S| Friends. * oster-Aomes. Superintendent. Homes, &c. g s L ® © is! ,2 ,2 ,22 ® jtn oo oq M. F. U. J M. F. U. J M. F. U. J M. F. U. 3 M. F. U. S M. F. U. J M. F. U. J M F U 1 M F U 1 a £ P ° P © o o o ' q 1 H I H H H H H H H £ North Auckland .. .. 31 12 19 .. 31 11 18 .. 29 1 .. j 1 1 1 Auckland .. .. .. 261 123 110 1 234 62 50 1 113 5 .... 5 21 23 .. 44 4 5 .. 9 12 10 .. 22 8 9 .. 17 6 12 " i8 5 i " 6 South Auckland .. .. 103 20 27 5 52 15 19 5 39 .. 3 .. 3 1 3 .. 4 1 1 .. 2 3 1 . . 4 Gisborne and Poverty Bay .. 34 10 6 .. 16 5 5 .. 10 2 .. .. 2 .. 1 .. 1 3 . . 3 Hawke's Bay.. .. .. 62 23 17 1 41 12 9 .. 21 1 3 .. 4 .. 1 .. 1 .... 1 1 2 1 .. 3 3 3 \\ 6 5 5 Hawera and Taranaki .. .. 44 21 23 .. 44 12 11 .. 23 .. 2 .. 2 1 5 .. 6 1 .... 1 2 .... 2 5 5 10 Wanganui .. .. .. 27 9 12 2 23 5 81 14 1.. .. 1 1 2.. 3 i 1 2 2 . 4 Palmerston North .. .. 53 16 21 .. 37 12 14 .. 26 2 .. 2 3 1 .. 4 .. 3 .. 3 1 .... 1 1 1 Wellington and Wairarapa .. 197 91 82 .. 173 38 33 .. 71 ........ 20 13 .. 33 6 2 .. 8 1 1 .. 2 8 7 .. 15 3 5 !! 8 ii> 21 36 Nelson and Marlborough .. 29 8 9 .. 17 6 7 .. 13 1 2 .. 3 1 .. \ West Coast (South Island) .. 18 7 5 .. 12 7 5 .. 12 North Canterbury .. .. 175 80 82 .. 162 30 30 .. 60 .. .! !! 18 13 .. 31 14 H !! 3i 2 4 !! 6 2 4 !! 6 7 9 i6 7 5 12 South Canterbury .. .. 17 5 4.. 9 3 2.. 5 1.... 1 1....1 1 1 1 1 Otago .. .. .. 70 35 35 .. 70 14 11 .. 25 1 5 .. 6 10 8 .. 18 5 2 .. 7 1 2 ..3 2 2 ' 4 i 2 3 i 3 4 Southland .. .. .. 43 16 14.. 30 8 6.. 14 2 1.. 3 1.. ..1 1.. ..1 1.. ..1 1 5..6 2 2..4 Totals .. .. 1,164 476 466 9 951 240 228 7 475 7 10 .. 17 77 75 .. 152 37 28 .. 65 17 22 1 40 28 24 1 53 35 46 ..81 35 33 . . ~68 ! Total number of births, 27,249 (exclusive of Maoris). Illegimate births, 1,164 = 4-272 per cent, of total births. Note. — M signifies male ; F signifies female ; U signifies unknown at the time.

E.—4.

SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF, SUMNER. The School for the Deaf at Sumner, Christchurch, was opened on the 10th March, 1880. Under an arrangement with the Director of Education this Branch is entrusted with the details of administration. The Director and officers of the inspectorate visit the institution regularly. It is the only residential institution for deaf children in New Zealand. Day pupils whose parents or relatives live in the neighbourhood of the institution also attend the classes. Children of both sexes of normal mentality are admitted, usually between the ages of six and seven years, and leave the school as soon as they have completed their education or when they have reached a standard equivalent to a primary school. The annual report of the Principal is attached. School fob the Deaf: Report of Principal . I have the honour to lay before the Department my report for the year ended 31st March, 1939. Data relating to the number of pupils are set out hereunder: —

The standard of work in the school was well up to former years. The usual school inspection was carried out by the Canterbury Board's Inspectors, who spent a considerable time with each class and reported separately upon the work of the teachers. A number of pupils were recommended for and granted Form 11 Certificates. Library.—The pupils' library is well stocked and in good order. Suitable books are continually sought and added to the library from time to time. The value of reading to the deaf cannot bo too strongly stressed. The staff library is being maintained, and additional publications and books dealing with the work are constantly being added. Workshop.—The workshop equipment has been augmented by the purchase of a planing-machme, circular saw, band saw, sander, and drill. A start has beep made to make enough chairs for use in the dining-hall. Mr. Regnault has given many hours of service in the workshop over and above his allotted time. General Training.—The usual work of the boys in the garden and on the farm was carried out. The girls received training in household work, mending, darning, cooking, &c. A very creditable display of sewing was made at the end of the school year in December. During the year the Matron inaugurated a course of home nursing for the senior girls. This will undoubtedly be a valuable adjunct to their other educational training. Boys' House. —The new boys' house was occupied during the year, and this has proved a boon to all concerned. The furnishings were selected and personally attended to by the Matron, and the whole establishment well merits the favourable comments of parents, visitors, and friends of the school. The fullest benefit of the building will be felt during the coming winter. Improvement to Grounds.—The Public Works Department has undertaken the work of levelling and laying out the grounds. Generous paths have been provided, trees which kept out the sunshine and fresh air have been removed, and the whole work when completed will give ample playground accommodation and will be in keeping with the generally improved appearance of the place. Hearing Aids. —A room has been specially fitted with a group hearing aid. This will enable the various classes to be given an opportunity of using earphones, employing both bone and air conduction. Physical Training.—The usual physical training and drill of the boys was given due attention. A team of boys from the school entered the Canterbury Hockey Association's competition for boys under fifteen and a half years of age, and was successful in tying for first place. The girls indulged in basket-ball matches, and entered a team in the Christohurch Girls' Athletic Sports Carnival at Lancaster Park, meeting with very fair success. Health. —Except for an epidemic of measles, the health of the children during the year has been uniformly good. A well-balanced diet has been provided by the Matron, and carefully kept records show a steady improvement throughout the school, and the pupils have a well-cared-for and happy appearance amongst congenial surroundings. In conclusion, I have to acknowledge the loyal co-operation of the teachers and of the Matron and her stall in using our best endeavours to promote the general welfare of the institution. T. F. Chambers, Principal. COSTLEY TRUST. The Costley Trustees, in addition to giving financial assistance in connection with the hostel for secondary-school boys in Auckland (see notes elsewhere in this report), continued during the year their beneficent work of helping deserving children other than State wards with grants for school books, fees, and continued education, with assistance with apprenticeship, and in other ways. Although the funds available are limited, the trustees have for many years past assisted a large number of children. Last year no less than sixty-two young people were granted assistance.

Table 17. —Expenditure on the Education of Backward Children.

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Boys. Girls. | Total. Pupils on the roll as at 1st April, 1938 .. .. . . 58 55 113 Admitted during the year .. .. .. .. . • 7 6 13 Died .. .. .. • • ■ • • ■ • • • • ; 2 2 Left during the year .. .. .. .. • • • • 8 j 13 21 On the roll as at 31st March, 1939 .j •. • ■ 57 1 46 103

Item. Otekaike. i Richmond. | Total. £ I £ £ Salaries 10,588 | 3,412 14,000 Advertising, &c. .. .. •• •• 6 2 8 Maintenance of buildings .. .. •• 1,373 460 1,833 Maintenance of institutions .. •• •• 7,084 2,257 9,341 25,182 Travelling-expenses .. • • • • • • • • • • 617 Postage and telegrams .. .. ■ ■ • • L ____ - H5 Less— , 25,914 Board of staff .. . • • • • • 1,500 436 V. y J 1,936 Recoveries (parental contributions and revenue from farm, sale of articles manufactured, &c.) . . 1,572 3,508 22,406

E.—4.

Table 18.—Expenditure on School for the Deaf, Sumner, for Period ended 31st March, 1939. £ £ Salaries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6,917 Advertising, &c. . . .. . . . . . . . . .. .. 11 Maintenance of pupils and sundry expenses .. .. .. .. .. 2,228 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 618 Maintenance of buildings, furnishings, &c. .. .. .. .. 1,918 11,692 LessParental contributions and amounts received from Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards .. .. . . .. .. .. .. . . 1,799 Board of staff .. .. .. .. .. .. . • .. 449 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 19 2,267 £9,425 The net expenditure for year ended 31st March, 1938, was £6,566. Table 19. —Child Welfare. £ Net expenditure on upkeep of child-welfare institutions .. .. .. .. 20,942 Salaries of staffs of homes, Child Welfare Officers, visiting nurses, &c. .. .. .. 38,237 Boarding-out of children — £ Payments to foster-parents .. .. .. .. .. .. 80,361 Payments to Post and Telegraph Department as commission .. .. 687 Issues of clothing, &c. — £ From institutions .. .. .. .. .. 1,690 From central and branch stores . . .. .. .. 5942,284 Medicine, medical attendance, dentistry, clothing, &c. .. .. 5,390 88,722 Inmates at service' — Issues of clothing, &c. — From institutions .. . . .. . . .. .. 992 From central and branch stores .. .. .. . . 427 1,419 Miscellaneous payments (clothing, medicine, &c.) .. .. .. 4,485 5,904 Refund of maintenance payments .. .. .. .. .. 193 Refund of inmates' earnings. . .. .. .. .. .. 494 Rent, office requisites, postage, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 3,873 Maintenance of inmates in private institutions .. .. .. 4,701 Travelling and removal expenses (including transit of children) .. 7,281 Wages of inmates .. .. .. .. .. • • . ■ 363 Legal expenses .. .. .. .. ■ • • • ■ • 50 Sundry expenses .. .. .. .. .. ■ ■ . • 115 170,875 Less recoveriesBoard of staff and others .. .. .. .. .. 2,826 Parents and others .. .. .. .. .. 17,720 Sale of farm-produce .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,730 Inmates' earnings for clothing, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 5,966 Miscellaneous .. .. • • ■ • • • • • • • 1,218 — 29,460 £141,415

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E.—4.

List of Children's Homes registered under Part I of the Child Welfare Amendment Act, 1927. Anglican. St. Mary's Home, Otahuhu, Auckland. Orphan Home, Papatoetoe, Auckland. Brett Memorial Home, Takapuna. Hemi Mataroa Home, Gisborne. Abbotsford Home, Waipawa, Hawke's Bay. St. Mary's Home, Napier. St. Hilda's Home, Otane, Hawke's Bay. All Saints Children's Home, Palmerston North. Wairarapa Home for Boys, Masterton. St. Barnabas Home, for. Babies, Khandallah, Wellington, Duncan Cottage, St. Mary's Home, Karon, Wellington. St. Mary's Home, Messines Road, Karori, Wellington. St. Mary's Children's Home, Lancaster Street, Karori, Wellington. Anglican Boys' Home, Lower liutt. St. Andrew's Orphanage, Nelson. Whakarewa Orphanage, Nelson. St. Saviour's Girls' Home, Christchurch. St. Saviour's Boys' Home, Timaru. St. Anne's Home, Christchurch. Anglican Memorial Home for Boys, Dunedin. St. Mary's Orphanage, Dunedin. Roman Catholic. Star of the Sea Girls' School, Ho wick, Auckland. St. Mary's Orphanage, Takapuna, Auckland. St. Vincent's Home of Compassion, Auckland. Home of the Good Shepherd for Girls, Waikowhai. St. Joseph's School, Upper Hutt. Home of Compassion, Island Bay, Wellington. St. Mary's Orphanage, Nelson. Nazareth House, Sydenham, Christchurch. St. Joseph's Home, Christchurch. Sacred Heart Orphanage, Christchurch. St. Joseph's Boys' Home, Dunedin. St. Vincent de Paul's Orphanage, Dunedin. Salvation Army. Maternity Home, Auckland. " The Grange," Girls' Home, Auckland. Little Children's Home, " The Nest," Tawa Street, Hamilton. Hoddersville Home, Putaruru. Edward Murphy Maternity Home, Gisborne. Bethany Home, Napier. (Closed meantime.) Boys' Home, Eltham. Cecilia Whatman Children's Home, Masterton. Maternity Home, Wellington. Florence Booth Girls' Home, Wellington. Maternity Hospital, Christchurch. Boys' Home, Temuka. Little Children's Home, Dunedin. (Temporarily closed.) Girls' Home, Anderson's Bay, Dunedin. Red Roofs Maternity Home, Dunedin. Presbyterian. Leslie Orphanage, Auckland. Dingwall Presbyterian Orphanage, Papatoetoe, Auckland. Boys' Home, Onehunga, Auckland. Children's Home, Devonport, Auckland. (Closed meantime.) Margaret Watt Orphans' Home, Mosston, Wanganui. Wangaiiui Orphanage, Gonville, Wanganui. ....... Presbyterian Boys' Home, Wellington. Presbyterian Girls' Home, Island Bay, Wellington. Presbyterian Girls' Home, Merivale, Christchurch. Presbyterian Boys' Homes (2), Papanui, Christchurch. Children's Home, Timaru. : . Presbyterian Homes (3), Dunedin. Nisbet Home for Girls, Anderson's Bay, Dunedin. Allison Home, Invercargill. Caimeron Home, Invercargill.

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E.—4.

Methodist. Wesley Home, Mount Albert, Auckland. Epworth Home, Mount Albert, Auckland. (Temporarily closed.) Methodist Children's Home and Orphanage, Epsom. Methodist Children's Home, Mastert-on. Methodist Orphanage and Children's Home, Papanui, Christchurch. Other Denominations. Papakura Masonic Home, Auckland. Manurewa Home (Baptist), Auckland. Children's Home, Marton (Seventh Day Adventists). Kirkpatrick Masonic Institute, Nelson. V ndenominational. Salem House, Auckland. Bryant Convalescent Home, Raglan. Fairfield .School, Gisborne. The Young Pioneers Settlement, New Plymouth. Hawke's Bay Children's Homes (3), Napier. Manawatu Willard Children's Home, Palmerston North. Feltham Children's Home, Otaki. Levin Memorial Home, Wellington. Women's National Reserve Residential Nursery, Wellington. Cholmondeley Memorial Convalescent Home, Governor's Bay. Waltham Orphanage, Christchurch. Children's Rest Home, Roslyn. Victoria Memorial Home for Friendless Girls, Invercargill.

Approximate Coat of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (1,4(10 copies), £35.

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