E.—4

10

Particulars of Children admitted to and removed from Licensed Foster-homes during 1915.

Foster-homes. The 887 infants in foster-homes at the end of the year were distributed as follows: — In 545 homes each having one .. .. .. .. .. .. 545 In 103 „ two .. .. .. .. .. .. 206 In 26 „ three .. .. .. . . 78 In 9 „ four .. .. .. .. .. .. 36 In 3 „ five .. .. .. .. .. 15 In I „ seven .. .. .. .. .. 7 687 ' 887 Forty-one of the homes were those in which children under six were boarded out by Charitable Aid Boards. The total number of licensed homes was 941, so that at the end of the year there were 254 licensed homes in which for the time being no infants were boarded. Rates of Payments to Foster-parents by Parents or Guardians. An account of the rates paid is given in the following statement: — 1 at the rate of 3s. 6d. per week. 566 at the rate of 10s. per week. 15 „ ss. ~ 11 ~ lis. „ 6 „ 6s. „ 35 „ 12s. 19 „ 7s. „ 57 „ 12s. 6d. 59 „ 7s. 6d. ~ 5 „ 14s. 59 „- Bs. „ 22 „ 15s. 5 „ Bs. 6d. „ 1 „ 17s. 6d. 11 „ 9s. „ 6 „ 20s. Note. — Nine children were being maintained without payment, but for various reasons their names are retained on the books. Generally, the relatives of the infants provide clothing and medical attendance in addition. The following comparison of the rates paid dining the last four years shows that the usual payment is about 10s. a week:— 1912. 1913. 1914. 1915. Under 7s, .. .. .. .. ..23 24 29 22 7s. and under 10s. .. .. .. .. 195 ifil .163 153 10s. .. .. .. .. .. ..485 482 596 566 Over I.os. .. -.. .. .. ..71 91 120 137

M . % 53 so 1 J3 "g CM CO rd ■g -o ci -a © -3 oi oi a 60 cm d no £3c3 « "*1 cS <) I c8<| i tH .—I m-i N «H M >H co a ° a ° a ° £ p= ! pq m "SSb C5 <| rjH^ rt ° O cn <D *h "Six M CO ■a c S a 60 3 On-. f* 60 a ° <o< |* ° EH 'laced in licensed homes during 266 the year Vithdrawn from homes — Removed by parents or 46 guardians Deaths .. .. .. 8 Adoptions without premiums 4 In homes to which exemptions was granted Brought under the operation 1 of the Industrial Schools Act Written off the books for various causes 81 84 54 34 25 i 14 .. 558 ! , __ i I . 52 91 (il 47 21 23 10 351 10 1 4 I 7 15 7 2 1 2 3 2 5 2 M 40 LO 3 15 2 5 4 6 4 40 4 8 10 14 2 3 3 58 98 58 Totals .. .. 59 72 137 88 58 32 72 553 35 32 72 )n the books at 31st December, 91 1915 103 213 143 120 82 73 ! 62 887 73 62