E.—4.

1938. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: CHILD WELFARE, STATE CARE OF CHILDREN, SPECIAL SCHOOLS, AND INFANT-LIFE PROTECTION. [In continuation of E.-4, 1937.]

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

No 1 —EXTRACT FROM THE SIXTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION. CHILD WELFARE. Number of Children under Supervision. The total number of children under supervision of the Child Welfare Branch as at the 31st March, 1938, was 7,403, classed under the following headings State wards — In foster-homes, hostels, and with friends .. .. •• .. z,b 16 In situations (includes 14 absent without leave) . . . . .. • • 855 In Government institutions, receiving-homes, &c. .. .. . . .. 235 In private institutions . . . • • • • • • • • • • • 193 Inmates in special schools for backward children . . . . . . . • 221 In hospitals, convalescent homes, &c. .. . . . • • • • • 29 In School for Deaf, Sumner .. .. . • • • • • • • 7 4,213 Other than State wards— . Young persons supervised by Child Welfare Officers m their own homes, with relatives, or with friends, pursuant to orders of Courts .. .. .. 910 Infants supervised in foster-homes registered under the Infants Act .. _ .. 842 Pupils at School for Deaf, Sumner (other than State wards (7) included in figures above) .. ■■ •• •• •• •• •• •• Pupils at schools for mentally backward—Otekaike and Richmond (other than State wards (221) included in figures above) . . . . . . • • 42 Children supervised as preventive cases . . . . . • • • . . 1,273 Children in New Zealand Institute for Blind for whom the Department makes payment .. • ■ • • • • • • • • • • • ■ Total .. • ■ • ■ • • • • 7 The total number of children admitted and committed during the year was 583. Of these, 503 were committed to the care of the Superintendent by Children's Courts. ' The following gives the numbers of children classified according to reasons

I—E. 4.