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Dr. D. G. McLaclilan, Assistant Medical Superintendent of Seacliff Mental Hospital, visited the institution regularly, providing valuable psychiatric reports on 50 of the lads -during the year. Case-liistories.—A study of the case-histories of the 82 lads received during the year provides an interesting picture of their experiences prior to their admission to the institution. The following tables show that in many cases before they reach the Borstal institution they have been well versed in crime and have given clear indication of antisocial attitudes : Previous convictions — Admitted to probation .. . . .. .. 29 Under care of Child Welfare Officer .. .. .. 35 Borstal prison, or Child Welfare correction home .. 37 Admonished, or convicted and discharged .. .. 21 Fined .. .. . . .. .. ... 6 First offenders .. .. .. .. .. 17 Previous institutional experiencePrison .. .. . . .. .. 3 Borstal . . .. .. .. .. 11 Boys' Training Centre, Levin .. . . .. 11 Child Welfare correction homes . . .. 12 Otekaike Special School .. .. .. 1 Church orphanages .. .. .. .. 9 In the above tables a number of the 'inmates have been included more than once n'here they have been subjected to more than one type of care. The offences for which inmates were committed to the institution included theft; -car-conversion ; breaking, entering, and theft; cycle-conversion ; sexual offences ; .assault; false pretences ; fraud ; robbery under arms ; mischief; idleness ; and breach of probation. The first three were again predominant. The ages of the inmates admitted were—fifteen years, 3 inmates ; sixteen years, 10 inmates ; seventeen years, 13 inmates ; eighteen years, 29 inmates ; nineteen years, 23 inmates ; twenty years, 4 inmates : total, 82. Educational attainment on admission was —secondary education, 23 ; passed Form 11, 25 ; passed Form I, 18; passed Standard 4, 9 ; passed Standard 3, 4; passed 2, 2 ; illiterate, 1 : total, 82. Geographical Distribution : Of the 82 inmates received, 48 were admitted from the North Island and 34 from the South Island ; 23 were Maoris. The numbers of Maoris .admitted is out of proportion to the population, and it is interesting to note that the great majority of these came from the cities and larger towns. Causes of Delinquency.—As stated in previous reports, the major underlying factor is undoubtedly the broken home or unsatisfactory home conditions. The death of a parent, domestic strife and divorce, remarriage of one parent and the advent of a stepfather or stepmother, and all the disturbing elements that arise out of such situations, .are found time and time again in the case-histories. High wages, easy transference from job to job, weak control by parents, and the increasing freedom being given to adolescents are all contributing factors. Feeble-mindedness, physical handicaps, the stigma and insecurity of illegitimacy, defects of personality, and lack of moral fibre are also significant. The final cause of delinquency is, however, the failure of the particular individual to cope with his environment. It is as much a personal as a social problem, .and any treatment of delinquency must recognize this factor. Administrative Problems.—During the year there has been some criticism of the Borstal system of dealing with young delinquents and it is pe-rhaps desirable to make a ibrief statement concerning the objectives and methods of treatment. The Borstal

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