5

E.—6a.

I venture to submit that all the parents of children committed to industrial schools should be placed under police surveillance for the following among other reasons—namely: (1.) Although some parents may not be able to contribute towards their children's maintenance at the time of committal, yet their circumstances may so improve afterwards as to render them able to do so; and in every such case the police authorities should be prepared to apply for a maintenance order under section 24 of " The Neglected and Criminal Children Act, 1867." (2 ) In most cases the feelings of those whose children are maintained at the public expense in industrial schools deserve no consideration; and the least possible inducement should be held out to mean and worthless parents to throw the burden of their children's maintenance upon the State. I recommend, therefore, that the Hon. the Defence Minister be requested to direct that careful inquiries be made in the several Constabulary districts respecting the parents of the children whose names and circumstances are given in the attached lists, and that summonses be served on as many of them as possible under section 24 of " The Neglected and Criminal Children Act, 1867," and also that the other steps authorised by sections 2-1 to 28 of the said Act be taken for the recovery of moneys due for maintenance. I have prepared lists, to the best of my knowledge, for the several Constabulary districts in which the children were residing when committed; but, owing to the defective manner in which the school records have been kept, especially at Burnham, it is quite possible that some of the names are in the wrong list. It would be of great advantage towards the keeping of a complete record of all cases if the Constabulary Department were to supply reports at stated times—say half-yearly—as to the results of the inquiries and the other proceedings taken under the Act of 1867. Education Department, Wellington, 10th February, 1881. John Hislop.

Payments by Pauents under " The Neglected and Criminal Children Act, 1867." In carrying out the request of the Hon. the Minister of Education, contained in Mr. Hislop's memorandum of 10th February, 1881, formerly circulated, it has been found that, owing to Magistrates' orders against parents for maintenance-money not having been enforced in a number of instances, very large arrears have been allowed to accumulate, and that it is now practically impossible in most of such cases to obtain payment of the whole or even a portion of the arrears. Inspectors and other officers in charge of police districts, when taking any such cases before the Court, are directed to exercise their own discretion in reducing or altogether foregoing the claim for payment of arrears whenever it shall appear to them that the adoption of such a course would be likely to insure a satisfactory judgment from the Bench, and to obtain security for regular payment in future of the amount which had been ordered to be paid. Wellington, 13th April, 1881. H. E. Readee, Commissioner.

Enclosure B in No. 1. Hon. Mr. Dick. Owing to the defective nature of the information sometimes furnished to masters of industrial schools, orphanages, Ac, respecting the children committed or admitted to them, I have prepared the attached schedule, with a view to facilitate the obtaining of the fullest possible information respecting such children, and their parents or other relatives. I recommend that supplies of the schedule be furnished to the Defence Department, with a request that the Hon. the Defence Minister would cause them to be distributed among the members of the Constabulary Force. 10th April, 1881. John Hislop.

[Schedule.] Particulars respecting a Child committed (or admitted) to the School at Name in full: . Age: . Date of committal or admission : . Period for which committed or admitted : . Amount ordered or agreed to be paid for maintenance: . By whom payable: . Nature and date of security (if any) for payment: . Religion in which to be brought up: . School (if any) last attended : . Degree of education (If the child has attended a public school, the standard in which it was classified will be the best description): . With whom living before committal or admission, and the relationship: . Where living before committal or admission : . By what Court, or by whose order or authority committed or admitted: . Circumstances which led to committal or admission: . Name, residence, occupation, and circumstances of father; or of mother if father dead or unknown; or of nearest relative or friend in other cases : . Character of above : . Any other information bearing on the case that it may be desirable to place on record. In cases where no payment for maintenance can be enforced the reason should be stated: Place: . Date: . (Signature of officer furnishing the above information.)

Committals to Industrial Schools, fyc. —Memorandum. —Members of the Constabulary Force concorned in the committal or admission of any child to an industrial school, naval training school, or orphanage, are directed to be careful to fill up, as fully and accurately as possible, a copy of the schedule of particulars herewith in respect to such child, and to forward the same without delay to the master of the institution to which the child is sent. Wellington, 12th April, 1881. H, E. Eeadee.