11

E.—4

No. 4.—INFANT-LIFE PROTECTION STATISTICS.

Particulars of Children admitted to and removed from Licensed Foster-homes during 1916.

Foster-homes. The 844 infants in foster-homes at the end of the year were distributed as follows : — In 529 homes each having one . . .. .. .. .. 529 In 90 „ two . . . . . . .. . . 180 In 27 ~ three .. .. .. ..81 In 9 „ four . . .. . . .. 36 In 1 „ five .. .. .. .. .. 5 In 1 „ six .. .. .. .. 6 In 1 ~ seven . . . . . . . . 7 658 844 Forty of the homes were those in which children under six were boarded out by Charitable Aid Boards. The total number of licensed homes was 1,054, so that at the end of the year there were 396 licensed homes in which for the time being no infants were boarded. RiMES of Payments to Foster-pakents by Parents or Guardians. An account of the rates paid is given in the following statement: — 1 at the rate of 2s. 6d. per week. 3 at the rate of 10s. 6d. per week. 15 „ ss. „ 8 „ 11s. 5 „ 6s. „ 34 „ 12s. 10 ~ 7s. ~ 67 „ 12s. 6d. „ 58 „ 7s. 6d. „ 1 „ 13s. fid. 1 „ 7s. 7d. „ 2 „ 1.45. 47 „ Bs. „ 2] „ 15s. 4 „ Bs. 6d. ~ 1 „ 17s. 18 „ 9s. „ 2 „ 17s. 6d. 539 „ 10s. „ 4 „ 20s. Note. —Three 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 during the last four years shows that the usual payment is about 10s. a week : — 1913. 19L4. 1915. 1916. Under 7s. ... ... ... 24 29 22 31 7s. and under 10s. ... ... 161 163 153 128 10s. ... ... 482 590 566 539 Over 10s. ... ... 9"! 120 137 148

3__E.-4.

i P i> *J 111 m <M CO a to a eo a ° a ° pq , pq rH 1O 4D © T! 6 , T3 CD 2 0 60 CM c) 60 g t«<5 «<) ce«j 0)^ CQh-H TfHlM IC5t»H p^60 a° a ° a ° ffl*^ SB g≤ j gS UIMH ' is g fcS fe:g g° pq pq pq 5 I I I 'laced in licensed homes during the year Withdrawn from homes— Removed by parents or guardians Deaths Adoptions without premiums In homes to which exemption was granted Brought under the operation of the Industrial Schools Act Written off the books for various causes 217 91 I 78 45 [ 78 45 38 18 22 2 38 18 22 511 33 48 I 90 60 43 18 26 8 326 7 3 3 8 1 1 6 3 3 I 5 1 1 18 2G 5 1 2 4 3 21 6 18 11 8 8 8 55 114 Totals .. 45 127 79 \ 505 69 59 27 36 63 )n the books at 31st December, 1916 95 77 173 I 157 113 96 I 69 64 _i_ 844