E.—4.

1934. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: CHILD WELFARE, STATE CARE OF CHILDREN, SPECIAL SCHOOLS, AND INFANT-LIFE PROTECTION. [In continuation of E.-4, 1933.]

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

No. I.—EXTRACT FROM THE FIFTY-SEVENTH 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 31st March, 1934, was 7,259, classed under the following headings : — State wards — In foster-tomes, hostels, and with friends .. .. .. .. 2,708 In situations (includes 21 absent without leave) .. .. .. 858 In Government institutions, receiving-homes, &c. . . .. .. 251 In private institutions .. .. .. .. .. .. 194 Inmates in special schools for backward children .. .. .. 239 In hospitals, convalescent homes, &c. .. .. .. .. 20 At School for Deaf, Sumner . . .. .. .. . . 7 4,277 Young persons supervised in their own homes by Child Welfare Officers, by order of Court . . .. .. .. . . .. .. 850 Infants supervised in foster-homes registered under the Infants Act .. 923 Pupils at School for Deaf, Sumner (other than State wards (7) included in figures above) .. .. . . .. .. .. . . 109 Children dealt with as preventive cases .. .. .. ..1,081 Children at New Zealand Institute for Blind for whom the Department makes payment . . .. .. .. . . .. 19 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,259 The number of children committed to the care of the Superintendent during the year ended 31st March, 1934, was 423, classified according to reasons for committal, as follows : Indigent, 154 ; delinquent, 22 ; detrimental environment, 53 ; neglected, 4 ; not under proper control, 117; accused or guilty of punishable offence, 73 ; and, in addition, 6 were admitted by private arrangement (section 12, Child Welfare Act), while 47 were temporarily admitted, making the total number of admissions for the year 476. Of the children committed, 72 had been dealt with previously by the Courts for other offences, for which they had received terms of supervision.