K—4

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(6.) Saving effected by means of probation system annually representing boys placed on probation in lieu of admission to industrial schools : Auckland, 113 ; Wellington, 74 ; Christchurch, 81 ; Dunedin, 39 : total, 307, for period of twelve months, basing cost of maintenance at 15s. a week less average recovery of £7 per head : Annual saving, £20,696. (Taking the average number for five years, 653 boys are dealt with annually.) (7.) Increased revenue derived through a systematic and improved system of collecting parental contributions : Recoveries, 1914-15, £20,347 ; 1917 18, £27,835 (less natural increase in new cases for year, 300 at £7 per head): Annual increase, £5,388. Grand totals : Capital, £118,000 ; maintenance, £83,637.

Expenditure on New Works and Annual Cost of Upkeep of Probation System.

SUMMARY. Capital Annual Expenditure. Maintenance. £ £ Present saving under new system .. .. .. 118,000 83,637 Contemplated additional expenditure under new system .. 50,300 23,496 Total gross savings .. .. .. £67,700 £60,141 Legislation required to provide for Extension of System. An extension of present legislation is needed to make better provision for the protection, control, maintenance, and reformation of dependent, neglected, and delinquent children ; for the better protection of infant-life ; the supervision of children born out of wedlock ; the custody and care of orphans and fatherless children ; the establishment of Children's Courts, and a complete charter for dealing with children; the licensing and regulation of children trading in the streets,

Capital Expenditure. Annual Cost of Staff and Upkeep of Homes. Staff. Maintenanc.. Staff. Maintenance. PRESENT EX ■ENDITURE. £ £ Auckland Probation Home (formerly Industrial School, Mount Albert) Auckland Receiving-home Wellington Probation Home Christchurch Probation Home Addition Dunedin Probation Home Alterations, &c. .. . . . . Wellington Children's Home Furnishings, &o. Probation Officers and Boarding-out Officers at — Whangarei Hamilton Napier Nelson Timaru Wanganui £ £ £ 8,000 1,110 550 1,110 550 4,250 4,500 2,000 1,750 3,100 450 4,250 1,000 1,250 850 1,240 450 920 340 590 200 1,250 1,240 920 850 450 340 590 200 500 480 340 500 480 340 780 500 340 780 500 340 Travelling-expenses of officers Rent of offices 29,300 8,050 2,390 2,800 420 contemplated EXPENDITURE I D. 5,610 Purchase of properties and furnishings for receivinghomes at Hamilton, Napier, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Timaru, Greymouth, and Invercargill —seven at £2,500 17,500 3 at £280 = £840 3 at £200 = 600 6 at £140= 840 7 at £160 = 1,120 15 at £130 = 1,950 Receiving-home, Dunedin Rents of offices Travelling-expenses of officers 3,500 3,500 5,350 3,500 386 600 50,300 13,400 10,096 Grand total (present and contemplated expenditure) £23,4'