13

E.-4.

Table 9. —Illegitimacy.

Children committed to the Care of the Superintendent during the Year. Preventive methods are applied as far as possible in dealing with the large number of children coming under notice throughout the year, but where there is no home, or the home conditions are irretrievably bad, or the child is incorrigible or has committed some serious offence against the law, it is usually necessary for the State to assume full responsibility for maintenance and guardianship. Last year the number of children so dealt with was 644, but the majority were placed out in suitable private homes in the community during the year. The following tables set out the ages of the children, the causes of admission, and particulars regarding the state or characters of the parents. The following shows the new admissions according to age : — Boys. Girls. Totals. Under six months .. . . .. . . 41 24 65 Over six months and under one year . . .. 15 18 33 One year to five years .. .. .. .. 66 57 123 Five years to ten years .. .. .. .. 85 61 146 Ten years to fourteen years .. .. .. .. 100 4-3 143 Over fourteen years .. .. .. .. 83 51 134 390 254 644 Table 10 attached to this report shows the new admissions classified according to the causes of admission. Of the total number (644) 241 were indigent, 120 not under proper control, and 81 had been charged with punishable offences. Of the children admitted under these headings, 348 were placed out in foster-homes before the 31st March.

Table 10.—Admissions during the Year ended 31st March, 1928, classified according to Causes of Admission.

Numbor of Illegiti- Illegitimate Children ,, , Illegitimate T raa , te C^ Ud f, el1 ag f ; under Six Year, in I- Deatlis amongst District. Births registered T ™ lvo °!> SS Licensed Foster- I Illegitimate Children during 1927. brought under the homeB at under the age of One 1927 g 31st December, 1927. Ycar " Nortli Auckland 32 2 2 2 Auckland .... 287 51 110 12 South Auckland .. 101 12 17 8 Hawke's Bay 62 7 17 2 Cisborne .... 3.3 12 27 3 Wanganui and Taranaki 85 16 33 7 Palmerston North .. 68 14 32 4 Wellington .. .. 278 65 145 12 Nelson .... 46 9 14 1 West Coast .... 14 1 6 3 North Canterbury .. 195 60 151 12 South Canterbury 18 12 27 2 Otago .. .. 125 10 30 7 Southland .... 43 7 21 2 Totals for 1927 .. 1,387 278 632 77 Totals for 1926 .. 1,473 285 559 78

Admitted as Boys. Girls. Totals. Indigent .. .. .. .. .. ' 144 97 241 Neglected .. .. .. .. .. 27 24 51 Delinquent .. .. .. .. 17 7 24 In detrimental environment .. .. .. 38 37 75 Not under proper control .. .. .. 73 47 120 Accused or guilty of punishable offence .. 62 19 81 Admission by private arrangement (section 12, 21 17 38 Child Welfare Act) Temporary admissions .. .. .. 8 6 14 Totals .. .. .. .. 390 254 644