a—9

functions of the Tribal Executive Committees aie defined in section 12 of the Act and are generally concerned with all matters affecting the social, economic, educational, moral, and spiritual well-being of the Maori people. This organization will provide wider scope for the leaders of the people to play their part in the administration of matters of a domestic nature affecting their villages and personal conduct of their inhabitants than existed under the Maori Councils Act, 1900, which it has superseded. The personnel of the Welfare Branch of the Department was considerably enlarged during the year, and male Welfare Officers are now stationed at Te Kuiti and Paeroa in the Waikato-Maniapoto District, Opotiki in the Waiariki District, Ruatoria and •Gisborne in the Tairawhiti District, Wanganui in the Aotea District, and Christchurch in the South Island. Lady Welfare Officers are stationed in Auckland and Wellington cities. The majority of these officers were appointed towards the end of the year under review, but the work already accomplished has been a clear indication of the need for their services. A brief summary of welfare operations is included in each district report. During the past twelve months, economic and social surveys were carried out at Opiki Market Gardens, comprising 61 families and 387 individuals, and at Porirua Pa, comprising 26 families and 217 individuals. These surveys are invaluable as a basis for planned social work such as housing, water-supplies, and health amenities such as drainage systems, also labour requirements and other matters of a similar nature. The following table indicates the volume of work of a more individual nature performed by the Welfare staff at Wellington, at present attached to Head Office :

Under the heading of general welfare work are included such matters as arranging accommodation, liaison with other Government Departments, assistance in applying for social security benefits, and assisting and advising with applications for housing loans. The lady Welfare Officer also made a survey of the working-conditions of all Maori women and girls employed in industry in Wellington, thus gathering much useful information for future reference. It will be noted that the number of females passing under the care of the Division greatly exceeds that of the males. This is due in a large measure to the recent movement of Maori girls towards city employment opened up to them by war conditions. Hostelries and Hostels Hostelries have been established by the Department at various times over the last forty years to meet the accommodation needs of the travelling Maori public. Families and individuals passing through towns, or going to towns on shopping expeditions, or to visit sick relatives in hospitals make frequent use of these establishments. There are two in the South Island, at the Bluff and Nelson, and six in the

3

— Females. Males. Total. (1) Placed in employment 89 5 94 (2) Transfers arranged to more suitable employment 24 24 (3) Releases arranged from essential industries owing to 22 22 ill health, maternity cases, &c. (4) Delinquents (Borstal cases, &c.) placed in employment 61 61 (5) Indigent cases assisted 15 6 21 (6) General welfare work 165 18 183 376 29 405