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1950 NEW ZEALAND

EDUCATION: CHILD WELFARE, STATE CARE OF CHILDREN, SPECIAL SCHOOLS, AND INFANT-LIFE PROTECTION [In continuation of E-4, 1949]

Presented to Both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency

Sir,— 13th June, 1950. I have the honour to present my report on the work of the Child Welfare Division for the year ended 31st March, 1950. This report indicates only the main activities of the Division ; readers interested in a fuller statement of the Division's responsibilities and methods of working are referred to E-4, 1946. The development of our work since 1946 has been on the basis set out in the report for that year. The principal new responsibilities undertaken during the year were in respect of " unaccompanied " children who have come to New Zealand under agreements between the Government of New Zealand and the appropriate authorities overseas. There are three categories, namely : \(a) British Immigrant Children. Under the authority of the Child Welfare Amendment Act, 1948, the Superintendent of Child Welfare has assumed guardianship of 165 immigrant children who arrived in New Zealand in accordance with arrangements made between the Government of New Zealand and the parents or guardians of the children. The first party, numbering 18, arrived in June, 1949, and the remainder have arrived

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in seven subsequent parties. These children have been placed by the Superintendent in the care of suitable persons to whom the guardianship may, in certain circumstances, be transferred after six months. Pour of the children were discharged from the control of the Child Welfare Superintendent, leaving 161 under his control at 31st March, 1950. (b) " Refugee " Children. —Also under authority of the Child Welfare Amendment Act, 1948, the Superintendent has assumed control of 8 refugee children who arrived in accordance with arrangements made between the Government of New Zealand and the International Refugee Organization. All these have been placed in homes with a view to their adoption. In order to ensure that the children in both these categories are placed only where their particular needs will be met adequately, persons who submit applications to take children are interviewed and their homes are inspected by field officers of the Division. Sufficient suitable homes have so far been available for all the children. (c) Polish Refugee Children. —In accordance with arrangements completed last year with the appropriate authorities, the Child Welfare Division assumed administrative responsibility from Ist April, 1949, for the Polish children who came to New Zealand during the war and who were formerly accommodated in the Polish Camp at Pahiatua. A development of interest to the Child Welfare Division during the year is the commencement in March, 1950, of the two-year course in the School of Social Science at Victoria University College, Wellington. Of the first fourteen students who have commenced the course, two are members of the field staff of the Child Welfare Division. The Child Welfare Division furnishes facilities for some of the practical work required to be undertaken by the students. Honorary Child Welfare Officers An important part of the field-work of the Child Welfare Division is carried out by the Honorary Child Welfare Officers. Especially in areas distant from the District Child Welfare Offices, the honorary officers render a valuable community service. Under the authority of their appointment by the Minister, 208 men and women were serving in this capacity at 31st March, 1950. Child Welfare Institutions Although the large majority of the children coming under the control of the Child Welfare Superintendent are placed in individual foster-homes, there is always an appreciable number who need the care and training which can be provided only in an institution. The Child W T elfare Division administers several institutions, diversified in their function and facilities to meet the needs of the several categories of these children. The staffing of these institutions continues to present difficulty, but all the children requiring admission to an institution have been accommodated satisfactorily. Extracts from the annual reports of the officers in charge of the institutions are as follows : Girls' Training Centre, Burwood Every effort is made to maintain a desirable active relationship between the Centre and the normal life of the community. To foster a correct public appreciation of the work of the Centre, the Principal has, during the year, given addresses to twenty-one groups of persons representing Churches, kindergartens, parent-teacher associations, Plunket mothers, and the Women's Division of the Farmers' Union. A large number of girls formerly in residence have visited the Centre this year; often they have brought their husbands and children with them.

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The educational functions of the Centre have been developed further during the year. Twelve girls have attended the Centre primary school, gaining Primary School Certificates. Through the services of the Education Department's Correspondence School, girls are at present studying, in addition to general subjects, commercial art, horticulture, poultry-keeping, biology, hygiene, homecraft, clothing, and typing. Training in the conduct of meetings and discussions and in democratic procedure is given by the Girls' Council. The Council is responsible for planning recreational activities, operates the ■canteen and the Centre newspaper, and acts as a guide and discussion group for problems of general behaviour. All girls have attended Churches of their own denomiation, and have developed valuable associations with members of the Churches by attending socials and Church functions. Ministers have visited the girls of their denominations fortnightly to talk with them and give instruction. The Maori girls have been visited regularly by a Maori Deaconess who, in addition to giving them suitable religious instruction, has taught them traditional games and songs. A full winter and summer programme of recreational training conducted on the informal group principle has been carried out, with all girls participating in at least one activity. Roller skating keep-fit classes, basketball matches, and tennis, in which game a large number of girls have been coached, have been provided. Twenty new girls learned to swim during the year, and all primaryschool girls have gained certificates. In the inter-house competitions held in November covering all these activities every girl in the Centre participated. Fareham House, Featherston In this institution, which provides for older Maori girls requiring training before placement in the community, 18 girls were in residence at 31st March, 1950. A feature of the programme in which the girls showed particular interest this year was the training in first aid given by the Red Cross Society ; all the girls in residence in September, 1949, passed the junior examination. Singing classes have also been popular. The religious aspect of the training has been carried out through regular Bible classes and by the attendance of the girls at Church or Chapel each Sunday morning. Boys' Training Centre, Levin During the year, as part of their training in citizenship, the boys have assisted in community service projects in Levin. Apart from the value of their contribution to the projects, the results have been valuable not only in developing the boys' understanding and appreciation of social responsibility, but also in making for good neighbourly relationships between the Centre and the town. The large well-equipped trade-training section provides facilities for specific training in carpentry, joinery, and upholstery as part of the Centre's programme of vocational training. In the course of their training in upholstery, which is the most recently developed, the boys are producing articles in leather such as file-cases, overnight bags, and Douglas chair cushions. Particularly through their training in painting, plumbing, and carpentry, the boys, together with their instructors, are able to meet the maintenance needs of the buildings and to undertake new construction work such as a firetank and swimming-pool on which they are working at present. At the Hokio Beach School section, where primary-school courses are provided, the boys live as a separate group. Boys who are continuing their education while living at the main part of the Training Centre do so by taking lessons from the Education Department's Correspondence School under the supervision of a member of the Centre staff. Sporting activities for all the boys are planned as an integral part of the whole training programme. Teams take part in the local competitions in basketball and Softball, and some boys play football, cricket and tennis with local clubs. The religious interests of the boys are provided for by permitting them to attend services in their own Churches in Levin, and through the visits by the ministers to the Centre. Special Schools Schools for Backward Children. —The Special School for Boys, Otekaike, provides for mentally retarded children who cannot for one reason or another be taught at an ordinary school or in a special class. Extracts from the annual report of the Manager are : At 31st March, 1950, the number of boys in residence was 111, of whom 88 were in the day-school section and 26 in the industrial division. Twenty-six new pupils were admitted during the year, and 32 boys have left the institution. Of those who left, 30 returned to active life in the community, and 2 who were found to be unsuitable for special-school training were transferred to a custodial home.

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The average chronological age of the boys in the day-school section was 12 years 11 months, average mental age 8 years 9 months, and the average I.Q. was 68. In the industrial division the average chronological age was 18 years 6 months. A full recreational programme, lias been provided with valued assistance from outside voluntary organizations. At the Special School for Girls, Richmond, which is similar in function to Otekaike T there were 58 in residence at 31st March, 1950. During the year there were 23 new admissions, 7 left to commence work, 6 returned to parents, and 7 were transferred to other appropriate institutions. Extracts of interest from the Principal's report are as follows :- - The girls are encouraged to take a part in the life of the community and are thus helped to develop confidence and a normal outlook. Many outside organizations have entertained them at school functions, picnics, and concerts, and they in turn have taken an active part in entertaining both at functions at the school and in public, with folk and ballet dancing, verse-speaking, percussion-band items, and puppet plays. A garden party, at which most of the entertaining was done by the girls, was attended by Nelson and Richmond residents. The Girl Guide company has enjoyed useful contacts with other companies. In sports the girls have enjoyed frequent inter-school contests, and have performed creditably. Schools for the Deaf.—At Sumner there were 163 pupils (90 boys and 73 girls) on the roll at 31st March, 1950. There were 16 new admissions during the year and 12 children left. Of the 16 admissions, 1 had previous training in a school for the deaf and 12 were congenitally deaf or became deaf before reaching school age. Extracts from the annual report of the Principal are : Generally, so far as the group of totally or severely deaf children is concerned, there is evidence that with few exceptions parents show eagerness to have children admitted as soon as possible, realizing the great advantage obtained from early education. The wisdom of appointing housemasters whose chief responsibility is to supervise the out-of-school activities of the older boys is now shown clearly. Ten teacher-students, of whom three were men, completed their training in 1949. It is pleasing to note the higher proportion of men now offering themselves for training as teachers of the deaf. The most noteworthy development in the course of the year was the provision of hearing aids,, through the Social Security Department, to all children who could benefit from their iise. Experience shows that long and persistent training is necessary to enable children to obtain the fullest possible help from the aids. It would be wrong to exaggerate the help thus obtained. In many cases the hearing aid cannot help at all, and in no case does it enable a child to hear normally, but there is a substantial number of cases where there is a worth-while improvement in ability to hear when the aid is used. At Titirangi there were 134 pupils (73 boys and 61 girls) on the roll at 31st March,, 1950. There were 21 new admissions during the year and 6 children left. Extracts from the annual report of the Principal are : The average age at the time of admission of the 9 children who had not previously attended school was six years. The continued increase of pupils is now taxing the capacity of our recently improved school rooms. ~ Developments during the year include the adaptation of the school playroom for art production and display. Under the guidance of a visiting Art Specialist some fine work on modern lines has been produced. Ballet classes have been introduced and are held each Thursday evening. Indoor playing areas for evening or wet-weather periods have been defined and equipped for the various age groups. The Parent-Teacher Association, which has been functioning for the past six months, is helping to develop a very co-operative and friendly spirit between parents and staff. The first Parents' Day and Exhibition of Work held at Titirangi took place last December. Parents demonstrated their interest in this innovation by travelling from as far afield as Kaitaia in the north and Te Kuiti in the south.

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Kegistered Children's Homes At 31st March, 1950, there were severity-four children's homes conducted by private organizations and registered under the provisions of the Child Welfare Amendment Act, 1927. In these homes, which are subject to inspection by officers of the Division, the number of children in residence, according to returns received, was 2,409, as compared with 2,520 the previous year ; the, returns showed that included in this total were 64 children both of whose parents are deceased, 188 whose fathers are deceased, and 356 whose mothers are deceased. In many other cases the parents are separated or missing. Placement in Foster-homes On account of the essential part played by foster-parents, the field officers of the Division give considerable attention to securing foster-homes of adequate standard for the boarding-out of State wards in their district. The difficulty experienced in recent years in finding sufficient suitable homes has continued, and during this year the number available has only just met requirements. The extent of this part of the work of the Division is indicated by the fact that at 31st March, 1950, there were 1,750 children placed in foster-homes. Education In order that children under the guardianship of the Child Welfare Superintendent will have care and training which approximates as nearly as possible to that of children living in their own homes with good parents, State wards attend the ordinary schools, except in the few cases who need care or teaching which is available only in a special school. ■ They are encouraged to continue attendance at a post-primary school wherever, Jiaving regard to their abilities and vocational interests, this course is likely to be in their best interests. At 31st March, 1950, 247 children placed in foster-homes were attending post-primary schools and 15 Maori children were in residence at Maori colleges. When further education still— e.g., at the University—appears warranted, the Department facilitates this and continues to assist financially towards the cost of the child's education. Placement in Employment When the time comes to make plans for State wards to leave school and enter employment, the field officers of the Division have the co-operation of the Department's Vocational Guidance Officers and others in helping the wards to secure satisfactory positions. The various kinds of work in which the 685 State wards in employment at 31st March, 1950 (excluding those living with relatives or friends, who, in those circumstances, take the main responsibility in this matter), are indicated by the following grouping— Boys Girls Farmhands .. .. .. :. 214 Domestics .. .. .. ..81 Factory hands .. .. ..29 Factory hands .. .. ..58 Shop-assistants .'. .. .: 15 Shop-assistants .. .. .. 15 Labourers .. .. .. .. 47 Clerical workers .. .. 20 Other .. .. .. . . 140 Nurses .. .. .. 19 Other .. .: .. 47

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Of the 343 children living with relatives or friends at 31st March, 1950, 139 were attending school, 132 were in employment, and the remainder were either under school age or, for special reasons, unable to attend school. Committals and Admissions During the year the Children's Courts committed to the care of the Child Welfare Superintendent 431 children, as compared with 440 during the previous year. In 84 cases, as compared with 134 last year, children were, by voluntary agreement between the parents or guardians and the Child Welfare Superintendent, either admitted to institutions or otherwise taken under control of the Superintendent. Discharges from Control While the Superintendent may, where he considers it necessary, retain control of children committed to his care until they reach the age of twenty-one years, the large majority are, in fact, discharged several years before they reach that age. During the year, 559 children were discharged at an average age of sixteen years and nine months. As soon as the Superintendent is satisfied either that a State ward has reached the stage where he can manage his own affairs or that the full responsibility for his care and training can safely be assumed by his parents or other suitable persons, the Department relinquishes its control. Illegitimate Births On notification by the Registrar of Births of illegitimate births, Child Welfare Officers make confidential inquiries to ascertain whether the child is satisfactorily provided for and, where necessary, assist the mother and her child. At 31st March, 1950, of the 1,848 such children whose births were notified during the year 778 were residing with their mothers, 43 were with other relatives, 470 were in registered foster-homes or nursing-homes, 239 had been adopted, and 32 had been committed to the care of the Child Welfare Superintendent. Infant-life Protection As required by the Infants Act, 1908 (Part V), children under the age of six yearsboarded away from their parents for more than seven days must be in homes approved and registered by the Child Welfare Superintendent. At 31st March, 1950, there were 817 such children placed in 740 registered foster-homes. Adoptions In order to assist the Courts in considering applications for adoption of children r •Child Welfare Officers, when requested, make inquiries in respect of applications and furnish reports to the Courts. An analysis of the applications to adopt children and of the adoptions completed shows the following points of interest : (a) Girls are usually preferred by applicants, although the actual numbers of adoptions completed show the numbers of children available of either sex ; for instance, of the total of 1,256 children adopted in the year ended 31st December, 1949, 659 were boys and 597 were girls.

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(b) Although children may legally be adopted up to the age of twenty-one years, the large majority adopted are under six years of age. (c) Premiums at the time of adoption, although provided for in the Act, rarely pass ; in the year under review there were none. (d) The majority of the children adopted are of illegitimate birth, the numbers in this year's total being 495 boys and 415 girls. (e) Applications to adopt come from three main groups of persons, namely—(i) Couples who have no children of their own. (ii) Parents who wish to have a companion for their only child. (iii) Mothers of illegitimate children who wish to adopt their own children upon subsequent marriage. (/) The numbers of children adopted in each of the past twelve years were : 406, 516, 518, 604, 605, 685, 854, 1,065, 1,151, 1,383, 1,285, 1,254. Children's Courts As indicated in last year's report, some changes have been made in the methods of obtaining and tabulating information concerning children appearing before the Children's Courts. While this will inevitably limit the making of comparisons between the figures published from now onward with those of previous years, it is hoped that they will be more useful in meeting the demand for more factual information. In any case, the differences are not so great as to make comparisons impossible, and the long-range advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The nature and extent of the changes are explained in an Appendix to this report. It is hoped to present in subsequent reports additional information of interest to those concerned with the subject of juvenile delinquency. Comments on the figures for Court appearances are as follows : —■ (1) Total Appearances. —Since 1943-44, which was the peak year with a total of 3,706, the number of appearances has shown a substantial decline, this year's total, calculated on the changed basis mentioned above, being 1,848. (Note. —On the former basis, on which certain undecided cases were included, the totals were slightly higher than they would have been on the new basis) — e.g., the figure for 1948-49 published in last year's report was 1,883, but it would have been 1,823 on the new basis. The figures are : 1938, 2,982 ; 1939, 2,801 ; 1940, 2,953 ; 1941, 2,934 ; 1942, 2,936 ; 1943, 3,071 ; 1944, 3,076 ; 1945, 2,529 ; 1946, 2,240 ; 1947, 2,026 ; 1948, 2,032 ; 1949, 1,883 ; 1950, 1,848 (new basis). (2) Analysis of Total Appearances. —(a) Complaints Under the Child Welfare Act: Children appearing under this section were indigent, not under proper control, living in a detrimental environment, or neglected. There were 470 (including 63 delinquent) cases, as against 414 for the previous year, 443 for 1947-48, 458 for 1946-47, 454 for 1945-46, and 517 for 1944-45. (6) Offences : The total number of appearances before the Courts for all offences, including breaches of special Acts, regulations, and by-laws, over the past five years are as follows: 1945-46, 1,786; 1946-47, 1,568; 1947-48, 1,589; 1948-49, 1,469; and 1949-50, 1,378.

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(3) Repeaters. —Tlie number of children who, on appearing before the Courts last vear, were making a second or subsequent appearance for offences was 376. The corresponding numbers for the five previous years were : 1945, 302 ; 1946, 339 ; 1947, 365; 1948, 340; 1949, 314. In determining these cases a very wide interpretation has been given to the term " repeater." No time-limit is set between the child's first and his second or subsequent Court appearance for offences, nor is the degree of seriousness of an offence taken into account. The total includes, therefore, many cases of offences of a minor nature, and frequently a considerable period has expired before an appearance at Court is repeated. (4) Trend Over Recent Years.-— ln the reports of recent years an indication of trend has been given by comparing the annual figures and the rates per 10,000 of the juvenile population (aged seven to seventeen) for—(a) Total Court appearances for offences ; (b) Appearances under the heading " theft ".; and (c) Appearances for the more serious cases, including those for offences against morality, against the person, theft, conversion, and delinquency. Comparison of the figures for 1950 with those for 1949 and for previous years is made more difficult because of the alteration in method of presenting the information on Court appearances introduced this year. The figures for the last two years are as follows : (a) Total appearances for offences — 1949. 1950. Total 1,393 1,378 Rate .. .. .. •• 44 43 (6) Appearances under the heading " theft " Total 822 867 Rate 26 27 (c) More serious offences — Total 1,025 1,110 ut Rate 33 34 The rates for appearances in 1948-49 are based on an estimated population as at Ist July, 1948, and those for 1949-50 on an estimated population as at Ist July, 1949. A comparison of these figures with those given in the table of the previous year shows that the comparatively low level of juvenile delinquency has been maintained. The slight variation between this and last year's figures could be taken as normal fluctuations only. AVhile it would be difficult or impossible to assign, with any certainty of reliability, specific reasons for the decreases in Court appearances over recent years, I would hope that the development of the preventive-work programme of the Division has assisted appreciably. All officers, and particularly the Child Welfare Officers in districts where there is a substantial Maori population, recognize that Maori children who are referred to them for assistance require particular attention, and that often there are special problems concerning their care, training, and vocational placement. In this part of their work they co-operate closely with Maori Honorary Child Welfare Officers, the Maori WelfareOfficers of the Department of Maori Affairs, tribal committees, Maori school staffs and Committees, departmental Vocational Guidance Officers, and others in the communities actively interested in Maori children and their families.

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Preventive Work The field of work covered by a Child Welfare Officer provides much scope for preventive effort, which saves many a child from more serious difficulty. As has been indicated m previous reports, this part of the work of the Division is regarded as of primary importance, and it continues to be developed. Child Welfare Officers take a constructive interest in children showing incipient delinquent trends and thev endeavour to improve living conditions likely to lead to unsatisfactory care or control"; thev also encourage community efforts to provide positively for the needs of under-privileged children m recreation and other necessary activities. Not only do the field officers of the Division see useful results on their efforts in preventive work, but the Court also has on occasion made favourable comment. Edward Costley Trust, Auckland Over the years, many children have benefited in their education and training by grants from the Edward Costley Trust. The District Child Welfare Officer, Auckland, investigates each application and makes his recommendation to the trustees accordingly! During the year 41 children were assisted in such matters as books, school uniforms fees, and travelling-expenses. This Trust renders a distinct social service in the community and its assistance is appreciated not only by the children and parents who benefit, but also by this Division. C. E. Peek, Superintendent. The Director of Education, Wellington, New Zealand.

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Table 1—Number of Children Under Control and Supervision of the Child Welfare Division at 31st March

* Including children who had not formally been committed to the care of the Superintendent but over whom the Division exercised legal control-—i.e., children under control under section 12 of the Child Welfare Act, or legal warrant, or under supervision and resident in a Child Welfare institution. On 31st March, 1950, there were 83 such children. Note.—At 31st March, 1950, there were 161 British children (not included in the above table) under the care of the Superintendent.

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— 1948. 1949. 1950. * State Wards — In foster-homes 1,747 1,737 1,771 With relatives or friends 455 352 351 In employment (excluding those with relatives or friends), (including 862 786 702 9 absent on 31st March, 1948 ; 4, 1949 ; and 6, 1950) In Government receiving-homes 135 138 118 In Government hostels 14 21 28 In Government residential training institutions 141 107 136 In private children's homes registered under the Child Welfare Amend63 78 47 ment Act, 1927 In Roman Catholic institutions recognized under the Child Welfare Act 52 28 12 In special schools for mentally backward or deaf children (see also under 116 129 125 " Other than State Wards ") In hospitals, convalescent homes, &c. 49 36 22 In residential colleges 20 38 40 In mental hospitals 170 166 150 3,824 3,616 3,502 Other Than State Wards — Young persons supervised by Child Welfare Officers in their own homes 879 854 906 pursuant to orders of Courts Infants supervised in private foster-homes licensed under the Infants 772 832 817 Act, 1908 Pupils at the Schools for the Deaf, Sumner and Titirangi (excluding 251. 272 293 State wards) Pupils at special schools for mentally backward children (Otekaike and 44 49 52 Richmond), (excluding State wards) Children supervised by Child Welfare Officers in their own homes with1,645 1,460 938 out Court order (" preventive " cases) Pupils of the New Zealand Institute for the Blind, for whom the 22 16 17 Division makes payments 3,613 3,483 3,023 7,437 7,099 6,525

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Table 2 —Number of Children Appearing Before the Children's Courts (Classified according to offences committed or complaints laid)

m u, N^ T r S "^ (1) The discre P ancies between the figures quoted for and the figures in the old lable 2 of the 1949 report, are accounted for by the adjustments described in the Appendix to the 1949 report. (2) This table, like all others published, counts appearances only, not individual children. Some children appear more than once in each year. The number of such cases in the year under review was (3) Multiple charges—i.e., cases in which children are charged with more than one offence—present considerable difficulty in tabulation. In accordance with previous practice, such cases are counted under the offence which, m the particular circumstances of each case, appears to be the most serious This selection is necessarily arbitrary, but there appears to be no alternative if the table is not to be inordinately lengthy and correspondingly more difficult to follow. In the year under review there were 237 cases of multiple charges.

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— 1948-49. 1949-50. Complaints under the Child Welfare Act and amendments Indigent 92 129 Neglected 33 34 Living in a detrimental environment 84 64 Xot under proper control 183 175 Delinquent 26 63 Failing to comply with the terms of a supervision order 12 5 Totals .. 430 470 Offences against property— Theft 671 684 Breaking, entering, and theft 133 161 Other similar offences (receiving, shoplifting, &c.) 18 22 Conversion of motor-vehicles 40 29 Other conversions 43 51 Arson 3 3 Mischief 58 79 Wilful damage 49 25 Stonethrowing (e.g., at insulators) 29 15 Other offences against property (e.g., unlawfully on premises) 9 15 Totals 1 ,053 1 ,084 Offences involving fraud 28 16 Offences against persons— Sex offences — Indecent assault on a female 40 17 Indecent assault on a male 3 3 Other .. .. .. .. .. \\ ]\ 19 18 Other than sex offences 29 42 Totals .. .. .. .. " \[ 91 80 Offences against decency 14 17 Disorderly conduct .. .. .. .. [[ " 13 26 Offences against special Acts, regulations, and by-laws-Traffic More serious offences (e.g., reckless driving, failing to stop after 9 3 accident) Minor offences— (a) Cycle 59 55 (b) Other 49 25 Railway, fire brigade, and Post and Telegraph 9 9 Licensing 22 12 Acclimatization 10 12 35 Arms and explosives 27 Totals . . .. .. .. '.'. \[ Other offences 185 9 151 4 Grand totals 1 ,823 1 ,848

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Table 3 —Children's Court Appearances (Classified according to decision of Court)

Table 4—Children Placed Under Supervision of Child Welfare Officers During Years Ended 31st March, 1948, 1949, and 1950 (Classified according to reasons for appearance)

Note. —The total of 741 for 1950 represents 725 children, as 16 children (15 boys and 1 girl) who were placed under supervision during the year appeared before the Courts again during the same year and their period of supervision was extended. In addition, 26 children (23 boys and 3 girls) placed under supervision during the year were subsequently committed to the care of the Superintendent.

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1948-49. 1949-50. Commited to the care of the Superintendent .. .. .. 440 431 Placed under supervision of a Child Welfare Officer .. .. 417 478 Placed under supervision and ordered to make restitution .. .. | 217 199 Period of supervision extended .. . . .. .. 34 38 Placed under supervision and ordered to spend a period in an institution .. 15 26 ■Committed to Borstal .. .. .. . • • • 14 10 Placed under adult probation .. .. .. .. 12 13 ■Convicted and fined . . . . . . .. • • 3 1 Convicted and discharged 1 1 Admonished and returned to the care of the Superintendent (i.e., State 69 wards appearing on charges) 73 Admonished and discharged .. .. .. .. 377 415 Admonished, discharged, and ordered to make restitution 130 93 Admonished and fined 61 56 Admonished and ordered to pay costs 11 5 Adjourned sine die 16 12 Ordered to come up for sentence 2 1 Totals 1,823 1,848

Boys. Girls. Totals. 1948. 1949. 1950. 1948. 1949. 1950. 1948. 1949. 1950. •Charged with an offence 411 399 561 41 42 50 452 441 - 611 Delinquent 139 134 45 10 19 7 149 153 52 Not under proper control 35 32 30 19 27 27 54 59 5f In detrimental environment 7 9 1 12 8 19 17 1 Indigent 2 2 2 1 4 1 3 6 3 Neglected 7 3 8 i 3 6 14 6 1 14 3 Breach of supervision order 1 3 601 580 650 90 103 91 691 683 741

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Table 5—Reasons for Committals and Admissions

Note.—Of the 431 children committed to the care of the Superintendent during 1949-50, 101 r or 23-4 per cent., were known to be illegitimate.

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Boys. Girls. Totals. 1948-49. 1949-50. 1948-49. 1949-50. 1948-49. 1949-50. Committed to the Care of the Superintendent (a) Complaints under the Child Welfare ActIndigent 42 61 46 65 88 126 Neglected 7 11 20 9 27 20 , Living in a detrimental environment 29 31 28 32 57 63 Not under proper control 84 44 64 59 148 103 Delinquent 21 4 8 9 29 13 Failing to comply with the terms of 6 2 3 9 2 a supervision order (b) Charged with an offence 67 89 15 15 82 104 256 242 184 189 440 431 Other Than Committed Control assumed by arrangement with 10 9 4 2 14 11 parents or guardians (section 12, Child Welfare Act, 1925) Control assumed under legal warrant (section 24 16 17 9 41 25 13, Child Welfare Act) and subsequently returned to parents or guardians Placed under supervision of a Child Welfare 8 13 4 6 12 19 Officer and ordered to spend a period in residence in an institution Admitted to special schools for deaf or 48 30 31 20 79 50 backward children as resident or day pupils (section 127, Education Act, 1914) Temporarily admitted to Child Welfare 17 7 6 9 23 16 institutions in emergency 107 75 62 46 169 121 363 317 246 235 609 552

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Appendix JSTote on Extent and Nature oe Changes in Tabulation oe Information Concerning Children Appearing Before Children's Courts The following changes have been made in the preparation of Children's Court figures commencing with this report:— (1) Appearances are not counted until decisions have been reached by the Courts. This has eliminated the item " adjourned " from Table 3in previous reports. The effect on the total figures is not important, as the number of cases adjourned from one statistical year to the next is small and relatively constant. (2) Appearances are not counted unless the Court finds the charge proved or upholds the complaint. Thus cases which are " dismissed " or " withdrawn " are ignored, and these items eliminated from Table 3. The effect of this change is to reduce the total figures somewhat. In 1948-49 the number of such cases was 63. (3) The classification of offences and complaints has been amended with a view to giving a clearer indication of the nature of offences committed, and reducing the size of the item " Miscellaneous." (4) As part of this reclassification, appearances are classified according to the offences which caused them, and not necessarily according to the complaint or charge on which the child appears before the Court. Thus, if a child commits theft, but for some reason is brought before the Court on a complaint that he is "a delinquent child " or is " not under proper control," the appearance is counted under the item " theft " and not under the legal complaint. The effect of this change is to reduce considerably the number of children listed as " delinquent " or " not under proper control " and increase the number of those included under specific offences. In general it may be assumed that those children counted under'"not under proper control" have not committed any specific offence against the law, while those classed as " delinquent " may be assumed to be guilty of a series of minor offences, no one of which is sufficiently important or serious to justify a specific charge.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (1,444 copies), £4O.

By Authority: E. E. Owen, Government Printer, Wellintrton.—1950.

Price 6d.]

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