E.—4

to the unselfish care given them by their foster-parents; in addition, their own response has been splendid. As one boy has left New Zealand, our total for this year stands at 20$. At the 31st March, 71 of these children had left school, 53 were attending primary schools, and 79 attending secondary schools. Of those attending secondary schools 8 were in Form VI; 16 in upper Form Y; 17 in lower Form V; 18 in Form IV; 20 in Form 111. Of this number (79), 56 are taking a professional or general course; 7 commercial; 9 engineering or trades; 3 agricultural; 3 home science; and 1 an art course. Of those attending primary schools, 14 are in Standard VI; 14 in Standard V; 8 in Standard IV; 11 in Standard 111, and 6in Standards I and 11. Of the 71 who have left school, 7 attend University full time, 6 are at Teachers' Training Colleges; 1 is nursing; 2 are working as nursing aides; 1 boy is studying accountancy; 1 is learning draughting; 4 are working in insurance offices; 9 are doing general office work; 5 are in the Public Service; 4 care in banks; 10 are farming; 5 are in engineering; 4 are working as shop assistants; 2 aire learning dressmaking; 1 is an assistant in a children's home; 1 is mining; 1 is working on munitions; 6 are doing various types of domestic work; and 1 boy is in the Air Force training to become a bomber pilot. Where possible those young people who are working are encouraged to continue their education by taking evening classes or University lectures. The reports from their employers show that they perform their work in a conscientious manner and give satisfaction generally. Last year 8 passed the University Entrance Examination, bringing the total to date to 25. Many others have passed the Public Service Entrance Examination and some the School Certificate Examination. On the whole, their educational attainment is very satisfactory, and there are a few who show exceptional ability. Among the older boys are some who, realizing that they would have been called up for military duties had they still been in the United Kingdom, felt it their duty to give their services in the same way as their contemporaries in Britain and expressed a desire to join one or other of the services. Already one boy has won his wings in the Air Force, one has left New Zealand to join the Merchant Service as an apprentice, and three are waiting to be called up for the Navy. Others have expressed a desire to join the Navy or the Air Force. The health of these young people has been very good on the whole during the, year. There have been the usual number of minor complaints, and, I am sorry to say, two cases of serious illness. In general, however, they have shown remarkable physical development. It was found necessary during the year to arrange the transfer to other homes of 16 children, 6 of whom were " nominated " cases. The reasons for transfer included the ill-health of the foster-parent, home conditions becoming such that the child could no longer be provided for, or other arrangements becoming necessary to provide for extended education or employment. During the year Miss K. Page, the local representative of the Children's Overseas Reception Board, paid a visit to several centres to see both foster-parents and the children in their homes. She expressed herself as well satisfied with conditions. The contact of the children with their parents in Great Britain, which is fostered in every way, is maintained by means of correspondence and the free monthly cable service kindly provided by Cable and Wireless, Ltd., Auckland. J. R. McClune, Superintendent. The Director of Education, Wellington, New Zealand.

Table 1. —Number of Children under Control and Supervision The total number of children under the supervision of the Child Welfare Branch as at the 31st March, 1944, was 8,724, classified under the following headings, the corresponding number for the previous year (ended 31st March, 1943) being also given

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1942-43,| 1943-44. j 1942-43. 1943-44. State Wards — Other than State Wards— In foster-homes and with friends .. 2,041 2,477 Young persons supervised by Child Wei- 1,301 1,375 In situations (includes 21 absent without 1,105 1,048 fare Officers in thoir own homes, with leave at the 31st March, 1943, and 9 at relatives or friends, pursuant to orders the 31st March, 1944) of Courts In Government institutions, receiving- 223 261 Infants supervised in foster-homes regis- 065 098 homes, &c. tered under the Infants Act In private institutions .. .. 98 121 Pupils at Schools for Doaf, Sumner and 126 175 In Roman Catholic institutions recognized 95 98 Titirangi under the Child Welfare Act Pupils at schools for mentally backward 45 38 In special schools for mentally backward 138 142 (Otekaike and Richmond) see also under children (see also pupils under " Other " State Wards " than State Wards ") Children supervised as preventive cases 1,978 I. ,954 In refuges or cognate institutions .. 59 63 Children in New Zealand Institute for 18 24 In hospitals, convalescent homes, &c. .. 30 47 Blind for whom the Department makes In residential colleges, &e. . . . . 15 10 payment 4,410 4,207 4,133 4,264 8,543 8,531 British children in New Zealand .. 204 203