E—4

specific measures taken in recent years to assist materially those families whose livingconditions could lead to lowered behaviour standards in their children, and, secondly, that such success has been reflected in other aspects of the work. Edward Costley Trust, Auckland During the year the trustees assisted 48 children in the Auckland District engaged in educational courses, apprenticeships, &c. This assistance took the form of grants for books, school uniforms, fees, travelling-expenses, and clothing, and was granted upon favourable recommendations being received from the District Child Welfare Officer, who made careful inquiry into each application. The majority of the children helped were fatherless or their parents were not in a position at the time to provide the necessary help. The assistance given was highly appreciated by the parents and children themselves. The work of the Trust is looked upon by this Department as a most valuable adjunct to child welfare services in the community. C. E. Peek, Superintend ent. The Acting Director of Education, Wellington, New Zealand.

Table 1.—Number of Children under Control and Supervision of the Child Welfare Branch at 31st March

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— 1946. 1947. 1948. State Wards — In foster-homes 1,924 1,858 1,747 With relatives or friends 520 464 455 In employment (includes 16 absent at 31st March, 1946, 15 at 31st March, 1..006 922 862 1947, and 9 at 31st March, 1948) In Government receiving homes 153 137 135 In Government hostels 31 26 14 In Government residential institutions 132 143 141 In private children's homes registered under the Child Welfare Act 105 95 63 In Roman Catholic institutions recognized under the Child Welfare Act .. 82 74 52 In special schools for mentally backward children (see also pupils under " Other than State Wards ") 129 127 116 In refuges 49 38 12 In hospitals, convalescent homes, &e. 40 32 37 In residential colleges 13 18 20 4,184 3,934 3,654 Other than State Wards — Young persons supervised by Child Welfare Officers in their own homes, 1,026 915 879 with relatives, or friends, pursuant to orders of Courts Infants supervised in foster-homes registered under the Infants Act .. 909 788 772 Pupils at Schools for the Deaf, Sumner and Titirangi 238 250 251 Pupils at schools for mentally backward children (Otekaike and Richmond) 45 45 44 (see also under " State wards ") Children supervised as preventive eases 1,629 1,569 1,645 Children in New Zealand Institute for the Blind for which the Department 17 24 22 makes payment 3,864 3,591 3,613 8,048 7,525 7,267