H.- -7.

"In these children it is generally the aggressive form of behaviour with restlessness and distractibilit v. "In the investigation of cases in any of the above groups it lias been found that the following factors have been present eil her singly en , in combinal ion, and may therefore be said to be causative : — " («) Environmental, which may be in the (i) emotional, or (ii) material spheres, and operating either at home or school, or both : there may be the home with too much license, or the repressive type of home which stultifies the child's development. " In some quarters at the present time there is a tendency to encourage the lirst type of environment too much license—thus placing too much responsibility on the immature mind and leading to anti-social behaviour. A mean between these is desirable for the normal and harmonious development of the child. "It is often Found that one parent gives one form of training whilst the other is diametrically opposed. In this way conflicts are set up both in the home and in the child's mind. " Absence of one parent or the presence of an unsympathetic step mother or father may lead to difficulties, or the lack of any contented and sympathetic background leads to a feeling of lack of support. ■■ Poverty and unemployment have their effects, particularly on older children, but although these occur they appear to be less detrimental than disharmony and conflict in the home. When in emotionally happy surroundings even though materially poor, a child can grow up an emotionally well-adjusted child. " Changes in the environment — from home to orphanage, or the reverse necessitate an adjustment in the child which may be found difficult. In a large number of cases the environmental factor has been of much importance ami by a rearrangement it has been possible to alter t he behaviour in t he desired direction. " (b) Temperamental difficulties or the mental make up : Children are born with varying characteristics, physical, mental, and emotional, and in consequence require differing individual attention a placid child may develop normally, whereas the sensitive sister or brothei- may develop nervous symptoms when brought up in the same at mosphere. " (c) Specific diseases and physical condition : Malnutrition, fatigue, chorea, meningitis, encephalitis. &c. " In the management of each case no aspect of the child nor its environment can be neglected. Before any decision can be made an adequate investigation must be made in three directions : " (1) Environmental : This investigation is carried out by an experienced social worker, which department of the work is of the utmost importance. Without an investigation into the child's environmental background both home and school a clinic can be, of little value either in diagnosis or future guidance. "(2) and (.')) Physcial and mental characteristics, the latter including an estimation ol the child's intellectual capacity and temperamental make-up. "The psychiatrist must have binocular vision and must be able to study and assess the factors of both physical and mental origin. He must be able to appreciate the possible bearing, which factors of eit her of t he above, may have on t he problems at issue. " The work of the clinic is so intermingled with the work of allied Departments (Education and Health), and existing social organizations that their co-operation is of the greatest assistance in int reducing children to the climes, and in the later adjustment of the child. ■ '■ Advice has been asked for in many cases of juvenile delinquency which have either reached the Children's Courts, or have been treated as' preventive cases.' [n the case of the latter these children have been brought under examination by the officers of the Child Welfare Department, whose sympathetic handling of the cases has always been of Ihe greatest assistance. The willing co-operat ion of this Department has also been of much assistance in the future guidance of cases in the provision and supervision of suitable foster homes in certain eases and numerous other ways. "In all this work a narrow view must be avoided. The officers working on a particular case must view it from the widest possible angle, must consider each possible factor I hat mav be playing a part, and then do their best to modify any undesirable situation by every means possible. ■' It is impossible at this early stage to make any definite statement as to how much clinics for child guidance may do in the sphere of prevention. Experience over a period of years of cases definitely psychotic or psycho-neurotic leads one to suspect in some cases the early stages of such conditions, more especially those which have come to be recognized a- only likely to occur in certain types of individual. The recognition of these types of normal individuals must be of value, and if an appropriate adjustment can be made in the most suitable environment it is at least hopeful that the course of such abnormal conditions may be made at least less severe if not arrested. Even at this stage the officers who have been engaged in this work are hopeful from their experience that the preventive work done may yet prove of value." Alterations, Improvements, and Additions. Our capita] expenditure on new buildings ami additions and improvements during the vear was £28,755, and the following summary shows the principal items making up the total, as well a> new buildings in progress but not completed by the 31st March :— Auckland (£677). Alterations to electrical system to allow of charge being made on a more economical basis.

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