EDUCATION: CHILD WELFARE, STATE CARE OF CHILDREN, SPECIAL SCHOOLS, AND INFANT-LIFE PROTECTION [In continuation of E.-4, 1946]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1947 Session I, E-04

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1947 NEW ZEALAND

EDUCATION: CHILD WELFARE, STATE CARE OF CHILDREN, SPECIAL SCHOOLS, AND INFANT-LIFE PROTECTION [In continuation of E.-4, 1946]

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

12th June, 1947. Sir, — In presenting my report on the work of the Child Welfare Branch for the year ended 31st March, 1947, I refer those interested to E-4, 1946, for fuller information respecting the functions of the Branch. Staffing An increasing recognition of the long-term value of organized social work amongst children has led in recent years to a strengthening of the Branch. There has been a steady increase in the number of field officers, and, with several additional positions created during the year under review, the establishment now provides for 50 male and 55 female officers in the field. The recently improved salary scales should make the Service more attractive to persons with good academic qualifications and should facilitate the recruitment of suitably qualified officers. It is still necessary, however, for officers to receive their training on the job, and we look forward to the establishment by the University colleges of a special course for those taking up social work. At present those officers undertaking University study are restricted to subjects only indirectly related to child welfare work. Officers are encouraged to keep themselves up to date by study of current literature, and with the reorganization of the Department's library it is possible to offer extended reading facilities to the staff. Honorary Child Welfare Officers The success that has attended our efforts during the year has been due in no small degree to the gratuitous services given by the Honorary Child Welfare Officers, and I take this opportunity of again expressing the Department's deep appreciation of their assistance. Many valuable miscellaneous duties are carried out by these men and women, mainly in localities where it is inconvenient for permanent officers to visit frequently or at short notice. At the 31st March, 1947, there were 230 Honorary Child Welfare Officers holding office under authority given them by the Hon. Minister.

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Child Welfare Institutions Although it is preferred that, where possible, children be placed in private homes, admissions to the Department's institutions have been maintained at a high level and have fully taxed the accommodation available. Great difficulty is being experienced in finding sufficient foster-homes, and there appears to be an increasing demand for admissions to institutions of cases requiring special treatment which the foster-home cannot be expected to provide. It is apparent that consideration will need to be given to a further extension of institution facilities generally. At the 31st March there were 306 children in residence in child welfare institutions, including receiving homes, boys' homes, hostels, and the training centres for older children. Boys' Homes and Receiving Homes. —There are now 11 of these homes in the main centres of population and they continue to serve a very useful purpose as clearing houses for their districts by providing temporary accommodation for children pending their placement in or transfer to foster-homes or institutions. While in the home, children are given medical and, where necessary, psychological examination and treatment before placement. Only in special cases where a need for extended training is indicated are children kept in these homes for a lengthy period. A new receiving home was opened in Palmerston North during the year. It will serve the needs particularly of the New Plymouth, Wanganui, and Palmerston North districts. Hostels.-—'The Girls' Hostel in Wellington, which provides accommodation for girls in the city in offices, factories, &c., had 12 girls in residence at the 31st March ; 26 were admitted during the year and 28 left. The hostel also serves a useful purpose in providing temporary accommodation for girls passing through Wellington, and during the year 49 were assisted in this way. The Matron's report states that the health of the girls has been excellent and the good tone of the institution has been maintained. Employers of the girls report favourably upon their work and conduct. Six girls attended dressmaking classes at the Wellington Technical School. The usual full programme of recreational activities has been carried out and a keen interest has been displayed in play-reading and handcraft. The Boys' Hostel in Auckland had 14 boys in residence at the 31st March. Building extensions to provide additional accommodation and improved facilities are now being undertaken. Boys' Training Centre, Levin.—The accommodation at both the senior section for older boys, and the junior section for boys of primary-school age at the Hokio Training School was fully occupied throughout the year. During the twelve months ended 31st March, 1947, 52 boys were admitted and 49 were placed out. Of the latter, 45 boys were either placed in employment or returned to relatives or friends, 2 were transferred to boys' homes pending similar placement, and 2 were transferred to a Borstal institution. At the 31st March, 1947, there were 60 in residence. Of these, 17 were in the Hokio Section. The scheme of training includes farming in its various branches, gardening, poultrywork, woodwork, and a certain amount of instruction in mechanics. Adequate provision is made for schooling, and a well-planned programme of leisure-time occupations, including cultural and recreational activities, is directed towards the social readjustment of the individual boy. Extracts from the report of the Manager are as follows : There are now growing signs in the district of a more understanding attitude and increasing friendliness towards the Training Centre. People find our lads represented in every church congregation ; they are at socials and dances. On the sports-grounds and at the picture-theatre the Centre is represented, and the public are becoming aware that these boys set a high standard of conduct. Then, too, the Centre is steadily building up a reputation for the quality and quantity of the community services it initiates and undertakes. Notable amongst these may be mentioned the cleaning of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association grounds of stones —six weeks of leisure-time activities—which permitted the sowing of the area in grass. The boys made and provided the Levin Play Centres and_ Creche with all its toys and, indeed, some of its furniture. Sports bodies have reason to appreciate the many hours of work spent by the boys in preparing the grounds for sports

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meetings, &g. The Town Council has accepted our help on many occasions, and there are manyresidents who have cause to be grateful for work done gratuitously when they were laid aside by sickness. These are but a few of the many ways in which we represent ourselves to the public, and the result is a growing appreciation of our work. The remodelling of the carpentry and cabinetmaking sections which is now in progress will modernize the workshops and the methods of working. We have been helped in this work by the advice of master tradesmen in the district and of the District Registrar of Apprentices. This work, as well as other major alterations and additions to the existing buildings, including the construction of a staff dining-room and of a pantry, has been carried out by the boys under the supervision of their instructors. Two of our boys have been appointed to the staff of the Native Housing Department centred in Levin, and the reports upon their ability and workmanship have been most encouraging. Those boys of primary-school age whose case histories indicate that it would be undesirable for them to mix with the young boys at Hokio Beach School Section, and those who have attained secondary-school standard, are catered for at the main institution, where lessons are conducted by correspondence. The past year has seen an extension of post-primary education and three working boys are now taking School Leaving Certificate courses. Two others are taking courses in farming and poultry work. School-work on a part-time basis is being steadily developed throughout the Centre, and it is our ultimate aim to have every boy enrolled for some course most suited to his personal needs and calculated to be of assistance to him upon his return to society. In addition, we have extended the field of post-primary education by enrolling twelve boys in evening classes in English, arithmetic, and metal-work at Horowhenua College. Sport this year has reached a new level of interest and attainment and the lack of enthusiasm recorded last year is now far less in evidence. Boys from the Centre attended the local athletic sports meetings regularly each week and not only scored a large number of individual prizes, but on several occasions carried off the monthly points prize. Two teams were fielded in the district Softball competitions. Four of our boys were selected for representative play—a higher percentage than was achieved by any other team in the district. Boxing and physical training had a keen following. The scheme of permitting the lads to attend Divine service in the local churches, as reported last year, has proved to be most successful, and these contacts with members of the community are undoubtedly having a beneficial effect. It is with pleasure I again report a high standard of health amongst the trainees and the further complete absence of any epidemic or serious illness. New boys on admissions are examined by the doctor and dentist as early as possible, and we have been able to reintroduce the system of x-ray examination for new admissions. The Girls' Training Centre, Burwood. —This residential institution for the training of older girls had 70 in residence at the 31st March, 1947, as against 64 at 31st March, 1946. Forty-six girls were admitted during the year, and of those placed out, 8 who were working in the Christchurch district remained under the supervision of the Principal. The new hostel to accommodate staff and girls placed from the Centre at day service has been completed and is about to be occupied. More suitable accommodation for these girls will make easier the transition from institution to community. An indication of the comprehensive recreational and educational programme carried out at the Centre is given in the following extracts taken from the Principal's report:— Dr. Field has continued to visit the Centre monthly to interview the more difficult girls and has also spoken at staff conferences on different aspects of our work and problems. The training of girls in household crafts is recognized as an important part of our programme, and instruction is given in all branches of cooking, baking, preserving, jam-making, laundry work, housekeeping, &c. During the year girls have been placed at tailoring, dressmaking, shop-work, laundry-work, in hospitals and orphanages, and in domestic positions. Seven girls received their School Leaving Certificates. There are now 15 pupils in the primary school. Ten girls took Correspondence School courses. The courses covered were general, commercial, country life, and commercial art. We appreciate the continued help and interest given to both groups by the Inspectors and by the Visiting Teacher of the Department's Correspondence School. Two members of the St. John Ambulance have again conducted first-aid and home-nursing classes. Several groups of girls have taken part in plays and tableaux produced during the year. Handwork activities have included needlework, tatting, crochet, weaving, knitting, toymaking, dollmaking, and poster work, and two groups have been commenced in free painting. The singing group has continued to improve under the instruction of an outside specialist teacher. The Christchurch Male Voice Choir, after their annual concert, repeated their programme at the Centre, and the girls then entertained the choir with some of their songs'. Groups of girls have been taken to the concerts of the Musical, Choral, and Harmonic Societies.

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During the summer the girls played tennis and rounders and had swimming sports and instruction. Basketball was played during the winter against outside teams. Instructresses from the Physical Welfare Branch held weekly classes at the Centre. As a practical demonstration in the art of hostessing, the girls, at their own request, entertained all the children of the St. Saviour's Orphanage. Sub-committees were arranged to draw up programmes for the entertainment of the visitors and to prepare and serve afternoon tea. The health of the girls has been very good. Each girl on admission has a medical and dental examination and is examined regularly thereafter. Fareham House, Featherston. —This home provides for older Maori girls who require training before placement in the community. Accommodation has been limited owing to building alterations not having been completed, and continuous staff shortages and changes in staff have militated against any extension to the programme of activities. Nevertheless, the results have continued to be very satisfactory. Twenty-seven girls have received training at the home duriug the year. Eleven of these have been placed in situations where their supervision is continued under a Child Welfare Officer, 5 have been transferred to other institutions, and 11 remained in residence at the 31st March. The programme of training includes domestic work in all its branches, dressmaking, indoor crafts, gardening, and small farming. The girls were again successful at the Wairarapa Show, where they gained seven prizes in the cookery section. Special Schools Schools for Backward Children.—The Special School for Boys at Otekaike, near Oamaru, and the Special School for Girls at Richmond, near Nelson, provide for children who, being mentally retarded, cannot for one reason or another be taught at the ordinary school or provided for in a special class. The curriculum in these schools is designed to meet the needs of the pupils, and handwork in a wide variety of forms is given prominence. The manager at Otekaike reports as follows : At the 31st March, 1947, the number of boys in residence was 115 ; of these, 86 wefe in the day school and 29 in the industrial section. Thirty-three new pupils were admitted during the year, and 41 boys left the institution. Of those who left, 37 returned to active life in the community and 4 who were found to be unsuitable for special-school training were transferred to a custodial home. The average chronological age of the boys in the day school was 13 years, average mental age 9 years 1 month, and the average I.Q. was 70-2, and in the industrial group the corresponding figures were 17 years 6 months, 10 years 5 months, and 65 respectively. Despite shortage of staff, the training and recreational activities have proceeded much as usual. Again we are indebted to the members of the Oamaru Branch of Toe. H. and several visitors for providing entertainment for the children. The health of the inmates during the year was good. The following is an extract from the report of the Principal at Richmond : At the 31st March, 1947, there were 57 girls in residence. At the same time last year 51 girls were in residence and 1 was on holiday. During the year there were 22 new admissions, 6 pupils were returned to relatives or friends, 6 went to board or service in other districts, 2 were transferred to the Girls' Hostel, Wellington, and 3 to other appropriate institutions. Despite acute shortage of staff at times, the general activities of the school have been carried on as usual and, on the whole, the health of the girls has been good. A basketball team played in the inter-school competition at the end of the season ; the girls acted as hostesses to visiting representative players and matches were played at the school. Regular instruction aided by the use of films was given in tennis and swimming. The Country Library Service and the Nelson Library Institute have continued to supply the school with reading matter. The girls are taken into Nelson for cooking instruction at the technical college and also for training at the speech therapy clinic. First aid, dressmaking, and needlework classes have been formed, and in the school section of the Richmond Show our girls gained the highest aggregate points in the handwork section. At the end of 1946 a very successful entertainment and sale of handwork was held. At various times during the year the girls were entertained by different local organizations and friends of the school. Every opportunity was taken to afford the girls contact with the public, and outings to the beach and pictures and shopping expeditions were arranged at regular intervals. Schools for the Deaf —There are two residential schools, one at Sumner, near Christchurch, and the other at Titirangi, near Auckland.

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Details of interest taken from the reports of the respective Principals are as follows: (a) Sumner.—There were 148 pupils (87 boys and 61 girls) on the roll at the 31st March. There were 20 new admissions during the year, and 15 children left. Of the 20 admissions, 3 had previous training in a school for the deaf. Of the remainder, 14 were congenitally deaf or became deaf before reaching school age, 2 were hard-of-hearing and failed to make progress in a public school, and 1 was a case of acquired deafness. The average age of the congenitally deaf children admitted was 5-12 years, which is the lowest on record, and compares with 5-6 years and 6-9 years for 1945 and 1946 respectively. There is no doubt that the school is now obtaining great benefit from the special training given during the past several years to student teachers selected for teaching positions in the Schools for the Deaf. There has been no serious illness amongst the pupils in the past year, and in general the health of the children has been good. During the year a Parent-Teacher Association was formed. (b) Titirangi.—There were 102 pupils (52 boys and 50 girls) on the roll at the 31st March, 1947. There were 22 admissions, and 15 children left. The average age of all admissions was 6-4 years and for pupils leaving 15-75 years. During the latter part of the year under review some relief of the pressure on existing accommodation for resident pupils was obtained through a number of parents residing in Auckland arranging to send their children to school daily. Steps have been taken to provide new class-rooms and an additional dormitory block for up to 20 children. It is of interest to note that the increase in enrolments of children for the schools for the deaf to which I drew attention in last year's report has been maintained. From 103 in the year 1940 the roll number grew to 238 for 1946, and it now stands at 250. There is, however, a decline in the annual figures for excesses of admissions over withdrawals, and this suggests that the peak " deaf school" population may soon be reached. There has been a substantial increase in the number of scholars attending as day pupils —33 at Sumner and 40 at Titirangi at the 31st March. This has come about mainly through the provision of a special daily bus service for each school. Registered Children's Homes Eighty-two children's homes are conducted by private organizations registered under the provisions of the Child Welfare Amendment Act, 1927. These homes are subject to inspection by officers of the Child Welfare Branch. At the end of last year there were, according to their returns, a total of 2,570 children in residence, as against 2,685 the previous year. It was reported that in the case of 99 children both parents were deceased, in 211 cases the fathers were deceased, and in 442 cases the mothers were deceased. It is understood that in many other cases the parents were separated or were missing. In some of the homes necessary improvements to buildings were held over during the war. The authorities are, however, fully alive to the position and intend to proceed as soon as circumstances permit. Officers of the Health Department gave valuable assistance in many cases "with recommendations regarding dietary and other matters affecting the health and general welfare of the children. Placement in Foster-homes As stressed in previous reports, experience has shown that the boarding of children in selected private homes is, in general, preferable to their placement in institutions.. Only a small number of the children under the Department's care require institutional training, and every effort is made to restrict admission to these cases. It is essential, therefore, that there be a sufficient number of homes available in order not only to obviate unnecessary admissions to institutions, but also to allow of an adequate choice of suitable homes so that each child can be placed in the one most suited to his individual needs. I Unfortunately, as I have mentioned earlier in this report, the Department has for several years experienced difficulty in securing sufficient foster-homes, and an improvement in this position still remains one of its most urgent needs. There are,

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I know, many parents who can provide suitably for another child in their homes, and to those who are willing to do so I cannot stress too strongly the worth-while social service they would render. At the 31st March there were 1,858 children placed in foster-homes, and I take this opportunity of expressing grateful thanks to all the foster-parents who, for years past in many cases, have given homes to our State wards. Education Children under the guardianship of the State have the same opportunities as other children of receiving primary and higher education. With the exception of a small number of children whose education is provided for at institutions, State wards attend the ordinary schools in the community. Children are encouraged to continue with their post-primary schooling whenever this is justified, and pupils with special aptitudes are assisted by the Department to attend University. At the 31st March, 1947, 294 of the children placed in foster-homes were receiving post-primary education and 13 Maori children were residential pupils at Maori colleges. Placement in Employment Except in a few cases, State wards placed in employment received standard rates of wages. The exceptions comprise those young people who, for reasons of physical or mental handicap, are unable to compete on equal terms with their fellow-workers of the same age. In these cases particular care is taken to arrange for placement in the right environment, and under-rate workers' permits are obtained through the local officers of the Labour Department. When young people are placed in employment, every consideration is given to their desires and aptitudes, and the services of the Department's Vocational Guidance Officers are freely utilized. Initial outfits are supplied free of cost, and in cases where a young person is not self-supporting the Department subsidizes his wages to enable him to meet his livingexpenses. As. soon as it is possible to do so a Post Office Savings-bank account is opened in the young person's name and a portion of his earnings is banked for his future use. At the 31st March there were 983 State wards (618 boys and 365 girls) in employment. Of these, 67 (65 boys and 2 girls) were apprenticed to various trades, and, of the total number, 281 (153 boys and 128 girls) in the early stages of their employment were receiving assistance from the Department with their board, clothing, books, fees, &c. Boys were employed as follows : farm hands, 347 ; factory hands, 39 ; shop-assistants, 23; labourers, 30; and the remainder, 179, in various other occupations. Girls were employed as follows : domestics, 154; factory hands, 81 ; shop-assistants, 31; clerical workers, 46 ; nurses, 19 ; and the remainder, 34, in various other occupations. Committals and Admissions The number of committals by Courts was 449, as against 446 for the previous year. Private admissions by arrangement with parents was 140, as against 146. Discharges from Control A total of 758 children were discharged during the year, the average age at discharge being sixteen years and one month. They had either reached an age when they could fend for themselves or were no longer in need of care or oversight by the Department. Many of them while still quite young returned to their relatives or friends. In special cases, where the young person may need continued help from the Department, control is retained up to the age of twenty or twenty-one years. These are cases of mental or physical handicap or cases in which the young person requires assistance with his training course.

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Illegitimate Births During the year the Department continued to make confidential inquiries concerning all illegitimate births, which are notified to the duly appointed Child Welfare Officer in each district. In the majority of cases it was found that suitable provision had been made for the child by the mother or other relatives, so that no further action was necessary on our part. During the year ended 31st March, 1947, 1,580 illegitimate births were notified to the Child Welfare Officers. Of these infants, 824 were residing with their mothers and 35 with other relatives, 50 were committed to the care of the State, 320 were in registered foster-homes or nursing homes, and 266 were adopted. In a number' of cases inquiries have not been completed or the child died. The number of illegitimate births, as recorded by the Registrar-General, over the period Ist January to the 31st December, 1946, 1,824, was the same as for the previous year. The difference between our total, 1,580, and that supplied by the Registrar-General, 1,824, is no doubt due in part to the different periods represented and also perhaps to the time lag between recording and notification. Infant-life Protection The foster-homes in which infants up to six years of age are, by private ment, placed apart from their parents are required to be registered under the provisions of Part Y of the Infants Act, 1908. The number of registered homes at the 31st December, 1946, was 690 and the number of infants placed was 788. The fosterhomes were visited regularly by the Child Welfare Officers to ensure that the health and general welfare of the infants were adequately safeguarded. Many children remain in these homes after the age of six years and quite a number are adopted by their foster-parents. Adoptions The rapid rise over the last ten years in the annual figures for adoptions in the Dominion has continued and has made an increased demand on the services of Child Welfare Officers, who report to the Magistrate on all applications received. The number of adoptions completed in the year ending 31st December, 1946, was 1,383, which exceeds the figure for the previous year by 232 and constitutes a new record for any one year. The figures for the previous nine years are as follows: 406, 516, 518, 604, 605, 685, 854, 1,065, and 1,151. Any attempt to account for this remarkable increase would be largely a matter of conjecture, although it is probable that improved economic conditions generally and press publicity given during recent years to the legal adoption of children have had an influence on the position. Most of the applications for adoption are received from (a) couples who have no children of their own, (&) parents who wish to have a companion for their only child, and (c) mothers of illegitimate children who wish to adopt their own children upon subsequent marriage. Children! may be legally adopted up to the age of twenty-one years, but the great majority of those adopted were in the group from infants up to five years of age. Although there is provision in the Act for premiums to pass at adoption, this rarely takes place. There were only four such cases last year. Applications to adopt infant girls usually predominate, but the orders actually made reflect the number and sex of the children available. Last year 679 boys and 704 girls were adopted. Of the 1,383 children adopted, 1,131 (568 boys and 563 girls) were illegitimate. Children's Courts (1) Total Appearances.—lt is gratifying to record a further substantial decrease in the figures for all children appearing before the Childrens' Courts. Table 2 shows a decrease of 214 in these figures —2,026, against 2,240 for the previous year and 2,529 for the year 1945. This represents reductions of approximately 10 per cent, and 11 per cent, respectively, or a total reduction over the past two years of 20 per cent.

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(2) Analysis of Total Appearances.—[a) Complaints under the Child Welfare Act: Children appearing under this section were indigent, not under proper control, living in a detrimental environment, or neglected. There were 458 cases, as against 454 for the previous year and 517 for the year 1944-45. This represents an increase of approximately 1 per cent, in comparison with the figure for 1945-46 and a decrease of approximately 11 per cent, compared with the year 1944-45. (b) Offences : The total number of appearances before the Courts for all offences, including breaches of special Acts, regulations, and by-laws, over the past three years are as follows : 1944-45, 2,012 ; 1945-46, 1,786 ; and 1946-47, 1,568. These numbers show reductions of 11 per cent, and 12 per cent, respectively, or a total reduction over the two years of 22 per cent. The decrease is reflected generally in the figures for all types of offences, but the most marked decrease is found in the figures for theft, which, from 993 in the year 1944-45, dropped to 847 for 1945-46 and to 703 for last year. The total appearances for breaches of special Acts, traffic regulations, and by-laws amounted to 210, as against 237 and 281 for the 1945-46 and 1944-45 periods respectively. This is a reduction of approximately 11 per cent, on the figure for 1945-46 and a total reduction over the two years of 25 per cent. (3) Repeaters.—The number of children who, on appearing before the Courts last year, were making a second or subsequent appearance for offences was 365. The corresponding numbers for the three previous years were : 1944, 368 ; 1945, 302 ; and 1946, 339. In determining these cases a very wide interpretation is given to the term " repeater." No time limit is set between the child's first and his second or subsequent Court appearance for offences, nor is the degree of seriousness of an offence taken into account. The total includes, therefore, many cases of offences of a minor nature, and frequently a considerable period has expired before an appearance at Court is repeated. (4) Trend over Recent Years.—ln last year's report an indication of trend was given by comparing the annual figures and the rates per 10,000 of the juvenile population (aged seven to seventeen) over the last nine years for (a) total Court appearances, (b) appearances under the heading " theft," and (c) appearances for the more serious cases, taking in those under the first six headings in Table 2. The following is a repetition of these tables brought up to date by the inclusion of the figures for 1947

The above indicates the trend over the last ten years. The effect of the abnormal general conditions obtaining throughout the war years is revealed in a gradual upward trend in the figures to the peak year in 1944. With the return to more normal conditions the figures took a sharp downward trend to a point now below the rate. This information should serve to dispel fears still current in the community that in New Zealand we are experiencing an increase in the incidence of juvenile delinquency.

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— 1938. 1939. 1940. 1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. 1945. 1946. 1947. (a) Total Court Appearances Total Rate 2,447 85 2,248 1 2,464 1 2,424 1 2,421 1 2,446 1 2,493 79 1 87 1 87 1 88 j 90 | 93 2,012 75 1,786 66 1,568 58 (b) Appearances under the Heading " Theft " Total Rate 957 33 818 1 1,049 | 1,121 1 1,037 1 1,127 1 1,132 29 | 37 1 40 1 37 1 41 1 42 (c) More Serious Offences 993 37 847 31 703 26 Total Rate 1,313 46 1,245 44 1,507 53 1,437 51 1,469 53 1,593 59 1,614 60 1,402 52 1,243 46 1,086 40

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Preventive Work The strengthening of the staff during recent years has reduced the case-load for each officer to more reasonable numbers and has made possible a much more effective concentration on preventive work. The importance of this aspect of child welfare activity is justifiably stressed, for it is considered that appropriate measures undertaken at an early stage do in many cases prevent children with wayward tendencies from becoming delinquent. In these cases it is essential to gain the confidence not only of the child, but also of the parents, and to enlist their co-operation. Where the need for expert opinion seems desirable, the Branch avails itself of the services of psychologists, psychiatrists, and other professional persons. In addition to those children who came under the notice of the Branch through the Courts, there were during the year 1,569 children who were being dealt with under " preventive " supervision. Edward Costley Trust, Auckland During the year the trustees assisted 49 children in the Auckland District engaged in educational courses, apprenticeships, &c. This assistance took the form of grants for books, school uniforms, fees, travelling-expenses, and clothing, and was granted upon favourable recommendations being received from the District Child Welfare Officer, who made careful inquiry into each application. The majority of the children helped were fatherless or their parents were not in a position at the time to provide the necessary help. The assistance given was highly appreciated by the parents and children themselves. The work of the trust is looked upon by this Department as a most valuable adjunct to child welfare services in the community. q -g p EBK The Director of Education, Wellington, New Zealand. Superintendent.

Table 1.—Number of Children under Control and Supervision of the Child Welfare Branch at 31st March

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— 1945. 1946. 1947. iState Wards— In foster-homes With relatives or friends .. In employment (includes 6 absent at 31st March, 1945, 16 at 31st March, 1946, and 15 at the 31st March, 1947) In Government receiving homes In Government hostels In Government residential institutions In private children's homes registered under the Child Welfare Act In Roman Catholic institutions recognized under the Child Welfare Act .. In special schools for mentally backward children (see also pupils under " Other than State wards ") In refuges In hospitals, convalescent homes, &c. In residential colleges Other than State Wards— Young persons supervised by Child Welfare Officers in their own homes, with relatives, or friends, pursuant to orders of Courts Infants supervised in foster-homes registered under the Infants Act Pupils at Schools for the Deaf, Sumner and Titirangi Pupils at schools for mentally backward children (Otekaike and Richmond) (see also under " State Wards ") Children supervised as preventive cases Children in New Zealand Institute for the Blind for which the Department makes payment British children in New Zealand 1,976 526 1,022 137 25 123 108 90 139 59 36 17 1,924 520 1,006 153 31 132 105 82 129 49 40 13 1 1,858 464 922 137 26 143 95 74 127 38 32 18 4,258 4,184 3,934 1,063 799 215 47 1,905 20 1,026 909 238 45 1,629 17 915 788 250 45 1,569 24 4,049 3,864 3,591 8,307 8,048 7,525 190 46 11

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Children in Mental Hospitals. —During the year ended 31st March, 1947, 38 State wards were admitted to mental hospitals. At that date there were 162 State wards in these institutions, as against 161 at the 31st March, 1946. In accordance with an arrangement with the Mental Hospitals Department, these children are not discharged from our legal control, as in the event of their return to the community the Department is enabled to resume control and assist where required.

Table 2. —Number of Children appearing before Children's Courts (Classified according to Complaints or Charges Laid)

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— 1944-45. 1945-46. 1946-47. Complaints under Child Welfare Act— Indigent 168 165 144 Not under proper control .. .. .. ., ., 238 172 182 Living in a detrimental environment 52 76 94 Neglected 59 41 38 517 454 458 Offences — (1) Against morality 9 6 6 (2) Against the person 69 56 55 (3) Theft .. .... 993 847 703 (4) Conversion of motor-vehicles 49 48 38 (5) Other conversions 48 55 51 (6) Delinquent .. .. .. ... 234 231 233 (7) Miscellaneous (chiefly mischief) 316 296 263 (8) Breaches of Court supervision order 13 10 9 (9) Breaches of special Acts and regulations— (a) Railways 14 5 7 (b) Fire brigade .. .. .. .. 4 7 4 (c) Acclimatization .. .. .. 9 2 8 (d) Licensing 12 20 17 (e) Arms .. .. .. • - 37 41 30 (/) Post and Telegraph 67 18 15 (.g) Shipping 6 2 4 (h) Emergency War Regulations 1 (i) Man-power Regulations 1 (j) Venereal Disease Regulations .. 1 (fc) Immigration 1 (10) Breaches of Traffic Regulations — 71 (a) Cycles .. 49 58 (b) Motor-vehicles 12 5 3 (c) Other 15 34 27 (11) Breaches of city or borough by-laws— 46 16 22 (a) Cycle (b) Other than cycling 8 14 15 2,012 1,786 1,568 2,529 2,240 2,026

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Table 3.—Comparative Statement showing the Action taken in respect of Children who appeared before the Children's Courts

Table 4.—Children placed under Supervision of Child Welfare Officers by Courts during Years ended 31st March, 1946 and 1947 (Classified according to reasons for appearance)

Note. —Of the totals for 1946-47, 58 (55 boys and 3 girls) were again before the Court during their period of supervision and the period was extended, 31 (22 boys and 9 girls) were again before the Court during their period of supervision and were committed to the care of the State, 11 (6 boys and 5 girls) were ordered to spend a period in an institution, 71 (67 boys and 4 girls) previously had been on supervision which had expired, 3 boys had been committed previously, 1 boy had been on remand previously, 18 (11 boys and 7 girls) previously had been held on warrant, 7 (4 boys and 3 girls) previously had been temporary inmates or section 12 cases, and 6 (4 boys and 2 girls) subsequently were temporary inmates or were held on warrant.

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1 ! 1944-45. 1945-46. 1946-47. Committed to the care of the Superintendent 540 446 440 Placed under supervision 812 755 607 Supervision extended 28 53 51 Supervision with residence 15 16 13 Admonished and discharged 547 428 422 Admonished, discharged, and ordered to make restitution 183 170 137 Admonished and ordered to pay costs 4 4 Admonished and fined 26 29 19 Adjourned 78 93 68 Adjourned sine die 36 18 37 Dismissed 28 38 18 Committed to Borstal 32 21 21 Convicted and fined 6 4 3 Convicted and discharged .. .. 2 1 1 •Convicted and ordered to come up for sentence 1 Returned to the care of the Superintendent 64 64 71 Withdrawn 13 11 24 Ordered to come up for sentence 4 2 Probation 15 11 "\2 Referred to Magistrate's Court.. 1 4 Fined 42 42 33 Licence cancelled 2 Restitution order cancelled 1 2 2 Committed to Supreme Court for sentence 1 1 2 Committed to prison 1 1 Committed to mental hospital 1 Re-admitted to Salvation Army Home 1 By-law cases— Admonished and discharged 25 19 20 Admonished and ordered to pay costs 1 Ordered to pay costs or fined and ordered to pay costs 26 5 "8 Fined 4 7 Dismissed 1 Licence cancelled .. .. .. .. •• 1 2,529 2,240 2,026

Boys. Girls. Totals. 1945-46. 1946-47. 1945-46. 1946-47. 1945-46. 1946-47. ■Charged with an offence 515 396 63 44 578 440 Delinquent 141 127 16 14 157 141 Not under proper control 26 33 16 28 42 61 In detrimental environment 5 6 12 6 17 12 Indigent .. .. 6 6 2 4 8 10 Neglected 3 1 4 2 7 3 696 569 113 98 809 667

E—4

Table 5. —Causes of Committal and Admission, 1946-47

Note. —Of the total for 1946-47, 123, or 20-5 per cent, were illegitimate. In addition, there were 13 (8 boys and 5 girls) temporarily admitted to child welfare institutions, as against 11 (8 boy» and 3 girls) for the preceding year.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (1368 copies), £3l.

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 947.

Price 6d.]

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Boys. Girls. Totals. 1945-46. 1946-47. 1945-46. 1946-47. 1945-46. I 1946-47. Indigent Not under proper control Delinquent Charged with an offence Living in a detrimental environment Neglected Breach of supervision order Supervision with residence 85 53 35 67 14 20 1 14 76 53 50 47 43 7 *6 58 54 12 13 25 14 1 7 51 45 1 12 17 35 9 4 5 143 107 47 i 80 39 34 2 21 127 98 62 64 78 16 4 11 289 282 184 178 473 460 Admitted under section 12, Child Welfare Act, 1925 Admitted on warrant Admitted under section 127 of the Education Act 20 19 38 14 30 39 19 27 23 11 21 25 39 46 61 25 51 64 77 83 69 57 146 140 • 366 365 253 235 619 600