1T.—20

Of those admitted (136), 38 were Maoris or of part Maori blood. Maoris are, as a rule, fairly well behaved while here. Some are distinctly bad, having experienced previously little discipline and authority. The well-behaved Maoris are usually good, workers, and like the regular routine here. In fact, there are some who are quite distressed when the time comes for their discharge. A. table showing the ago last birthday prior to admission may be interesting : — Fifteen years of age .. .. 7 Nineteen years of age .. 28 Sixteen years of age .. .. 13 Twenty years of age .. .. 7 Seventeen years of age .. ..40 Twenty-one years, of age .. .. 1 Eighteen years of age .. .. 40 The offences committed that occasioned committal to Borstal are varied and not easy to classify briefly. However, the undermentioned summary will give an indication Theft charges .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 61 Car conversion and incidentals .. .. .. .. .. 20 Breaking, entering, and theft, and allied offences .. .. .. .. 21 Converting cycles .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Bape, attempted rape, carnal knowledge .. .. .. .. .. 4Assault (various) .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 Obscene language .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Forgery and uttering .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Itogue and vagabond, idle and disorderly .. .. .. .. 8 Illegally on premises, &c. .. .. . . .. .. 3 Transfer from Weraroa .. . . . . . . . . . . 1 Transfer from probation home .. .. .. .. .. 1 Breach of probation .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 Attempted murder .. .. .. .. .. .. ... 1 False pretences, &e. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 136 A statement showing the number of previous convictions recorded against the inmates received into custody during the year is given hereunder :—

When it is found that a boy lias more than a few previous convictions recorded against him it will be realized that the fear of the law or of correction does not weigh much with him. Behaviour of Inmates.—Judging by the offences and punishments return for the year, the general behaviour of inmates was better in 1944 than in 1943. In 1943 there was a total of 129 offences dealt with, but in 1944 only 88. There were 9 escapees in 1944 and 7in 1943, about the average for the past four years. All were retaken within a short time, and* dealt with at the local Court. The usual institution offence appears to be disturbing the quiet of the institution. Another frequent offence is damaging the cubicle or other Government property, while the use of bad language and disobedience of orders are frequent. There was only one case where the punishment was " bread and water," imposed by the Chairman of the Visiting Committee. Rehabilitation of Inmates. —In view of the fact that of those received in Borstal during 1944 a substantial number (23) had already served a Borstal term, and as the lads were apparently all employed when they got into trouble again, there appears to be room for more after-care. Not a great deal can be done at this end to secure employment for boys going north, but each inmate is supplied on release with a direction on Form N.S.-194 requiring him to report to a Man-power Officer in the district to which he is going, and the officer is also notified. Many boys are, of course, eligible for service in the Armed Forces. Many are ready and trained to take up farm work, so that such boys should soon find employment. A very considerable number are Maoris. Educational. —The improvement of the general educational standard of the inmates is considered of first importance. To this end school classes are conducted by outside professional school-teachers on three nights a week —Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—during the ordinary school year. The standard of education reachcd by inmates before admission is varied, and the following summary is compiled from information supplied : — Primer 4 .. .. 1 Standard 5 .. .. 31 Standard 1. .. .. 5 Standard 0 .. .. 34 Standard 2 .. 3 Secondary .. .. .. 25 Standard 3 ... .. .. 9 Standard 4 .. .. .. 28 Total .. .. 136

15

T , Previous T . Previous t ™ j Previous Inmates. ,, . ,. Inmates. I Inmates. n ■ Convictions. Convictions. i Convictions. 12 .. .. Nil 5 .. .. 8 3 .. 16 19 .. .. 1 2 .. .. 10 1 .. 23 29 .. .. 2 2 .. .. 11 2 .. 24 18 .. .. 3 1 .. .. 12 1 .. 26 15 .. .. 4 1 .. .. 13 1 .. 27 10 .. .. 5 1 .. .. 14 — 5 .. .. 6 1 .. .. 19 136 7 7