E.—4

Table 1. —Total of Children Appearing before Courts.

The records show that of the numbers dealt with 220 had been before the Courts for previous offences, but many of these were of a minor nature, and there is every reason to hope that these children will make good with a little friendly supervision. In addition to the above, there were 7 cases dealt with by the Magistrates under the provisions of section 17 of the Amendment Act, 1927, and the informations dismissed as trivial; while there were also 61 cases in which, as a result of consultation between the Child Welfare Officer and the Police, the informations were regarded as of insufficient importance to warrant Court action, the children concerned being adequately dealt with otherwise, usually as preventive cases under the supervision of a Child Welfare Officer for a period. Preventive Work. An important part of the work of the Child Welfare Officers is that of adjusting conditions in homes and in connection with families in order to prevent the committal of children to the care of the State, or of coming before the Courts at all.

7

,,, 1935- 1936- ,,, 1935-11936— Charge. 3g 3? Charge. 3g (a) Charqed with an Offence, or Delinquent. (a) Charqed with an Offence, or Delinquent Delinquent 134 67 -continued. Theft .. .. .. .. 586 723 Discharging fireworks . . .. .. 6 Wilful damage .. . . .. 76 105 Forgery . , . . .. . . 4 Mischief .. . . .. 127 107 Unnatural offence . . . . . . 3 Breaking, entering, and theft . . 115 142 Attempted breaking and entering . . 3 Conversion .. . . 62 98 Attempted carnal knowledge . . .. 3 Throwing stones .. .. 19 22 Smoking .. .. .. .. 2 Indecent assault . . . . 23 38 Dangerous riding . . . . . . 2 Disorderly conduct . . . . H 21 Killing animals . . .. . . 2 Receiving .. . . 31 28 Frequenting billiard-rooms . . . . 1 Dangerous driving . . . . 6 12 Uttering Assault .. . . . . 10 24 Presenting a firearm Discharging firearms .. .. 3 5 Attempted breaking and entering . . 1 False pretences .. .. .. 11 12 intent Idle and disorderly .. .. 1 2 Attempted indecent assault .. . . 1 Obscene language .. .. 9 5 On licensed premises after hours.. .. 1 Attempted theft .. .. 9 5 Attempted breaking, entering, and .. 1 Breach of supervision . . .. 1 5 theft Carnal knowledge . . .. 7 7 Insulting behaviour Unlawfully on premises .. .. 8 7 Attempted suicide . - .. .. 1 Cruelty to animals .. . . 6 8 Breach of agreement under C.W. . . 4 Obscene writing.. . . .. 5 .. Breaking and entering . . . . 10 4 Breach of Acts — Rape .. .. .. .. 3 Motor-vehicles .. .. 16 28 Forgery .. .. . . 4 Harbour Boards .. .. 1 Vagrancy .. .. . . 2 1 anc l Telegraph .. . . 4 2 Negligent riding . . . . 4 2 Railways . . .. . . 3 7 Driving without license .. .. 16 26 Fire Brigades .. .. 11 5 Aiding and abetting .. .. 1 2 Acclimatization .. .. 6 1 Drunkenness .. .. .. 1 2 Licensing .. .. ., 4 Fraud .. .. . . .. 2 1 Arms .. .. .. 50 82 Attempted murder . . . . 1 . . Impounding .. .. .. 2 Incest . . . . .. . . 1 Breach of city by-laws . . .. 265 317 Indecent exposure . . . . 3 6 Negligent driving . . . . 5 10 Total children charged with 1,786 2,134 Breaking and entering with intent .. 6 3 offences Breaking insulators . . .. 80 122 False information .. .. 2 1 Indecency .. .. .. 4 2 (b) Appearances for other Causes. Burglary .. .. .. 1 .. Indigency .. . . .. 203 191 Absconding .. . . . . 2 4 Not under proper control .. 189 163 Trespass . . . . . . 8 3 Detrimental environments . . 67 65 Obstruction on railway-line .. 7 . . Neglected . . . . . . 28 31 Throwing missiles .. . . . . 15 Found on enclosed premises .. . . 5 Total Court appearances .. 2,273 2,584