E.—4.

Table 9 gives particulars of the character or state of the parents at the time of the admission of the children. From this table I have selected the following figures showing (1) the number of children of drunken parents, and (2) the number of children of feeble-minded parents : — Admission of Children on account of the Drinking Habits of one or both Parents. Drunken mother . . . . . . . . . . 7 Drunken father .. . . . . .. .. 25 Both parents drunkards .. . . .. .. 9 41 Admission of Children on account of the Mental Deficiency of one or both Parents. Mentally deficient mother .. .. . . . . 19 Mentally deficient father .. .. . . . . 1 Both parents defective mentally . . .. .. . . .. Nil 20 An analysis of the new admissions for last year, grouped according to the characters or state of the parents at the time of admission, is interesting, for the results seem to indicate that, generally speaking, the child who is admitted on account of destitution or orphanhood, or whose parents have deserted him, comes either from an undesirable home or from morally unwholesome surroundings ; while, on the other hand, the child who commits an offence against the law and is regarded as a delinquent comes almost invariably from a good home. On more than one occasion the Department has been criticized for permitting orphans and destitute children to remain even as a temporary measure in the various probation or adjustment homes where juvenile delinquents are also detained, but in view of the facts disclosed in the following tables it is evident that in some instances at least there is need rather to protect the young offender from the pernicious influence of the orphan or destitute child who may have been rescued from drunken or immoral home conditions. For purposes of comparison three tables have been prepared showing —(1) Children admitted on account of destitution ; (2) children found to be not under proper control, or reported as uncontrollable by the parents ; and (3) children charged with offences against the law. In each case the parents have been divided into the following groups : (1) Dead, deserter or unknown ; (2) good character ; (3) bad or questionable character, including drunkards, feeble-minded, or physically unfit. Particulars of Parentage : Admissions for Year ended 31st March, 1927. 238 destitute children, representing 157 families. Character of parents described as —

163 uncontrollable children, representing 108 families. Character of parents described as —

55 children accused or guilty of offences, representing 54 families. Characters of parent described as —

7

Bad, Questionable, Dead, Deserter, or „ , j Drunkards, FeebleTJnknown. "* ooc ' ' minded, and Physically Unfit. Father ........ 81 13 31 Mother ........ 9 51 65 Both parents ...... 10 13 9

Bad, Questionable, Dead, Deserter, or „ , Drunkards, FeebleUnknown. tOOC ' minded, and Pliysically Unfit. Father ........ 24 20 23 Mother ........ 16 26 25 Both parents .. 4 29 8

Bad, Questionable, Dead, Deserter, or „ , Drunkards, Feeble - Unknown. I 700 ' minded, and ! | Physically Unfit. Father .. .. .. .. 8 4 7 Mother ........ 5 11 5 Both parents ...... 3 27 4