1955.

QUEENSLAND.

ANNUAL REPORT

O.B' THE

DIRECTOR

STATE CHILDREN DEPARTMENT

FOB THE

YEAR ENDING 30th JUNE. 1955.

PRESENTED TO PARLIAMENT BY COMMAND.

BRISBANE: BY AUTHORITY : A. H. TUCKER, GOVERNMENT PRINTER.

A. 37-1955.

AGD.0003.001.0018

ANNUAL REPORT.

THE UNDER SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HOME AFFAIRS, .BRIS.BANE.

State Children Department,

William Street,

Brisbane, lst August, 1955.

Srn,-I submit the Annual Report and Statis­tics of the State Children Department for the year ended 30th June, 1955.

The Acts administered by the Department are:-" The State Children Acts, 1911 to 1952," "The Infant Life Protection Acts, 19{)5 to 1935," "The Ad/Jption of Children Acts, 1935 to 1952." "The Children's Coilrt Acts, 1907 to 1930" also come into the picture as the Courts in the Metropolitan area are held in a room of the Department's offices and records of the proceedings are kept by the Department.

The Department deals with practically all phases of child welfare work, is responsible for the proper care, training, education, and place­ment of State wards, assists the needy mother in the maintenance of her children, helps parents in solving their problems with their difficult children, and acts as guardian, on behalf of the Commonwealth Migration Minister, to immigrant boys and girls who have come to Queensland apart from their parents. We deal with human beings whose problems must be solved with human dignity.

The number of children under control on 30th June, 1955, was 5,379, being an increase of 160 on the previous year's figures.

The following table shows the distribution of the children:-

,00~~~ NoriO~ $ To<» -Boys. Girls. , Total. Boys. , Girls. I Total. Boys. I Girls. , Total. Boys. I Girls. ,~

Inmates of Institutions .. 579 311 890 99 80 179 8 14 22 686 405 1,091 In hospitals . . .. .. 27 15 42 1 Boarded-out with foster

mothers .. .. . . 124 127 251 4 Boarded-out with female

realtives . . .. .. 1,299 1,242 2,541 294 In employment .. . . 174 75 249 14 Released on probation .. 123 10 133 11 In other homes .. .. 8 5 13 . .

>-----Totals .. .. 2,334 1,785 4,119 423

Of the total number under control 3,494, representing 1,617 families are with their own parents or relatives to whom a cash allowance of £1 5s. per week is paid for the maintenance of each child. There has been a greater call for this monetary assistance over the past year, many being cases where husbands have deserted wives and children. It is often difficult to trace the fathers, though every effort is made to do so. Appropriate action is taken when they are located.

The homes of those mothers or other relatives assisted are visited periodically by Inspectors of the Department and financial circumstances are reviewed. The Department has exercised a careful management of monetary policy and has shown a warm concern for human needs. Mothers show considerable courage in rearing their families, and do all the chores usually carried out by the husbands. I pay tribute to their depth of character in shouldering burdens in such an exemplary manner.

ADMISSIONS TO RECEIVING DEPOTS AND DENOMINATIONAL HOMES.

It was intended originally that the Depart­ment admit to its Receiving Depots cases of neglect or cases where the parents were unable

1 2 .. . . . . 28 16 44

3 7 12 12 24 140 142 282

298 592 190 171 361 1, 783 1,711 3,494 19 33 5 .. 5 193 94 287

1 12 22 1 23 156 12 168 . . .. . . . . .. 8 5 13

--402 825 237 198 435 2,994 2,385 5,379

to care properly for children. There was, in the majority. of cases, a disinclination to part with children, even temporarily, and a genuine desire for reunion as soon as such could be arranged. Of latter years it has been our experience that many young parents are only too ready to be relieved of their responsibility. Some have made the approach to the Department to admit their children as though it were a very natural thing to do so that father and mother may both go to work. In other cases we meet with the disrupted home where, owing to the incompatibility of temperament of parents or selfishness or for some other reason mother and father desire to part company. When dealing with applications to admit children it is a case of sorting out the genuine ones as it is not the intention of the Receiving Depots to function as boarding schools.

A brief report with regard to each Depot follows:-

Diamantina Receiving Depot and Infants' Home, Wooloowin.-Matron D. Knox, with three sub-matrons who are certificated nurses, is in charge of this Home. They are assisted by a staff of nursing assistants and other officers. A valuable addition to the staff during the year wa.s a trained kindergarten teacher for toddlers.

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During the year 339 children were admitted and 325 left, leaving 70 inmates on 30th June, 1955. Dr. H. C. Murphy, Director of Maternal and Child Welfare visits the Home regularly.

A new isolation room for infants has recently been added to the buildings. Children of school age attend the W ooloowin State School next door. It has been a difficult year for the staff as there is much to be done with children coming and going continuously. Many kind friends and organisations have provided entertainment and good things for the inmates during the year. To them we express our thanks.

Rockhampton Receiving Depot.-This Home receives children in the Central District, and is under the capable management of Matron E. Walsh. During the year 27 were admitted and 20 left, leaving 17 at 30th June, 1955. 'l'he Department tenders its thanks to those organ­isations and friends who assisted with entertain­ments, outings, and gifts to inmates throughout the year.

Townsville Receiving Depot.-This is the only home in North Queensland for the reception of State wards, as there are not any denomina­tional Homes licensed to receive them. The available accommodation has been overtaxed at times, but it is hoped this will be overcome with the erection of a new building in the not­far-distant future.

The Inspector in the Northern District, Mr. V. Linthwaite, has taken a keen interest in the Home and its surroundings. The grounds have been improved, and at an early date we should be able to draw on our own water supply.

The children attend the local State School. There were 20 inmates on 30th June, 1954, and 21 on 30th June, 1955.

FOSTER MOTHERS.

The Department approves the policy of boarding children in foster-homes from the severa,l Receiving Depots. Throughout the years many good women have helped in this field of our work and have had the satisfaction and gratification of seeing several of our wards grow into excellent citizens. It is not unusual for ex­wards to marry from their foster-homes and to keep in touch with the foster-parents during their married life. The Department thanks these mothers for the very good work they are doing on our behalf. On 30th June, 1955, there were 282 wards boarded in 151 foster-homes.

LICENSED INSTITUTIONS. Provision is made under section 15 of the

State Children Act for the Governor in Council to approve of homes or institutions, apart from State Homes, established by private benevo­lence, to be licensed to board State children.

At present there are 13 such homes licensed. They are conducted by various Church organisations.

On 30th June, 1955, there were 761 State wards in the following institutions:-

Conducted by the Roman Cathol!ic Church.-

Inmates.

St. Vincent's Home for Children, Nudgee 323

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St. Joseph's Home, Neerkoll, via Rockhampton 114

Holy Cross Retreat, W ooloowin 5 Conducted by the Ch1trch of England.-

Tufnell Home, Nundah 40 Boys' Home, Enoggera 55 St. George's Home, Parkhurst, via

Rockhampton 43

Cond1wted by the Presbyterian Church.­Blackheath Home for Boys, Oxley . . 27 W.R. Black Home for Girls, Chelmer 23

Cornducted by the Methodist Church.­Margaret Marr Home for Boys,

Wynnum 26 Queen Alexandra Home for Girls,

Coorparoo 28

Conducted by the Congregational Church.-

Marsden Home for Boys, Kallangur 5 Conducted by the Salvation Army.-

Boys' Home, Indooroopilly . . 36 James Horton School for Girls,

Toowoomba . . 36

Payment at the rate of 25s. per week is made by the Department for each State ward in tht:) institutions, whilst Child Endowment of 10s. per week is received for each child inmate. In addition the Department has paid a 50 per cent. subsidy towards the cost of buildings, extensions, repairs and other capital items.

Every attention is given to the recreation, health, and happiness of the children. Some of the homes have a film projector, which ensures that children have regular programmes of pictures, whilst many kind friends and organi­sations provide recreation and amusements for the inmates. One ward was selected to repre­sent Queensland in Interstate school cricket.

St. Vincent's and St. Joseph's Homes have primary schools on the premises, and the curri­culum embraces manual training for the boys and domestic science for the girls. Wards in the other institutions attend the local State Schools.

The Department supplies the children with all necessary school requisites and gives them every enc~uragement to proceed from primary to secondary education. At present there are 34 children from licensed institutions attending secondary schools.

Every effort is made to place the children in suitable positions, including apprenticeships, commensurate with their educational attain­ments. Visits are often made to the Department by ex-State wards who have be~n successful in life after being placed on a good footing by the State.

INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS.

These homes, which are conducted by various denominations, are licensed under the Act for the reception of children committed by Child­ren's Courts as delinquent or uncontrollable children.

It has also been found necessary at times to transfer, for disciplinary reasons, children from foster homes and other denominational insti­tutions to industrial schools.

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It is felt that spiritual influences must play an important part in the children's reformation and rehabilitation and the necessary teaching can best be given by the church authorities, especially in cases of moral delinquency. Stress is placed upon cultivating the aesthetic sense, particularly where the girls are concerned.

On 30th June, 1955, there were 103 children in the following industrial schools:-

Conducted by the Roman Catholic Church-

Industrial School for Girls, Wooloowin 19 Industrial School for Girls, Nudgee .. Home of the Good Shepherd,

Mitchel ton 19 Conducted by the Salvation Army­

Industrial School for Girls, Toowong 18 Industrial School for Boys, Riverview 26

Conducted by Department of Native Affairs-

Industrial School, Palm Island 1 Industrial School, Cherbourg . . 15 Industrial School, W oorabinda 5

Conditions in the Industrial Schools have become modernised and improved considerably in recent years. The Government, by monetary subsidies, has materially assisted the homes 1n this regard.

Most of the girls are engaged during part of the day in laundry and domestic work. They are taught sewing, drafting, knitting, lace­making, handsewing, and crochet work. Some have gained prizes in shows for their exhibits in handicrafts.

The Department supplied sewing machines to the schools for the benefit of the girls in their training. The frocking, designed and made by them, reflects credit upon their teacher~. It has been found that the cultivation of a dress sense in the girls has been a valuable aid in discipline.

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With a view to improving their future wel­fare some of the girls are now taking a corre­spondence course in primary or post primary education, whilst in one home a commercial class affords a wonderful opportunity for those girls interested in clerical work. Two girls since dis­charged from control have secured good positions as typists.

The girls show a keen interest in music (both vocal and instrumental), verse speaking, danc­ing, and gymnastics, and artistic performances given by them would do credit to any Secondary School. Pictures are regularly screened at the homes each of which has its own projector.

Boys over school age in the Riverview Home are given training in dairying and general £arm­ing. They remain at the institution until they are recommended for outside employment, when they are placed in rural work and receive wages in accordance with the Regulations under the .Act.

Some of the lads have joined the Salvation .Army Home Band at the home, and take an . active part in church services and entertain­ments. .A piano recently provided for the home has also given the children added enjoyment.

Physical culture and gymnastics are taught the lads, and every opportunity is taken to see that their health is well guarded and recreation well catered for.

Lads of school age attend the Dinmore State School and the elder ones the Ipswich Technical High School for manual training in wood and metal work. Those lads who qualify for a secondary school course are permitted to attend State High Schools. It is pleasing to note that the boys from this home have been prominent in school sports during the year.

Opportunity is taken during the midsummer school vacation for the boys to spend a holiday at Tallebudgera, where they enjoy themselves by the sea.

It is very pleasing to report that during the year the conduct of both boys and girls in the Industrial Schools has been very gratifying to all concerned.

To the societies and organisations and indi­vidual friends who have assisted the Homes and the inmates in any way throughout the year) I tender the thanks of the Department.

FARM HOl'rIE FOR BOYS, WESTBROOK.

In the superintendent of this home, Mr. I. R. Golledge, the Department has the services of a practical farmer who is a member of the Panel of Judges of the Jersey Society and who, with his years of experience, has a very deep under­standing and knowledge of the delinquent youth. He is assisted by a deputy-superintendent and staff of practical field men and night warders.

The home is for the reception of boys com­mitted by the Courts and for boys transferred there, with the approval of the Minister, from other homes. It is situated about 12 miles from Toowoomba and comprises an area of 800 acres, approximately half of which is under culti­vation. There ii; a stud Jersey herd and also stud Berkshire pigs on the property. Boys under 14 years of age and those over that age who will benefit from further schooling attend the school, which is under the control of a resident teacher. This school is subject to inspection by Inspectors of the Department of Public Instruction.

Boys who do not attend school are given practical farm training and are taught also the many phases of work including building, fencing, painting, concrete, and repair work, which t:!ie average farmer must master if he is to make a success of his vocation on the land.

The home is run on the ' 'honour'' system without any cell. The inmates include many interstate boys who were guilty of offences in their home States before they were dealt with in the Courts of Queensland.. Treatment of the boy inmates is firm and just, as it will readily be understood that if discipline be relaxed the home is doomed to failure. It has been our experience that the boys themselves appreciate a properly disciplined, well-ordered home, and it has been the aim of the superintendent to govern West­brook accordingly.

Interstate and overseas visitors have com­mented on the smooth-running atmosphere at the home, and find it difficult to understand how boys are held where the gates and fences are open.

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The average boy does not prove a problem, and usually settles down. In the process of settling he, of course, has to be taught that many of his former habits cannot be tolerated and that he must start afresh. It is not always easy for a lad who has never been subjected to any restraint to accept discipline. The aim of the home is to reform the offending boy and prepare him to take his place in the life of the com­munity. Despite some failures we have had encouraging results.

The report of the Superintendent reads as follows:-

Health.-The health of the boys has been good with the exception of a few cases of influenza. The Government Medical Officer, Dr. Hickey, Toowoomba, visits regularly. Any cases requiring hospitalisation are treated at the General Hospital, Toowoomba. Dr. Chapple of the Chest Clinic, Brisbane, visited during the year and submitted each inmate to a Mantoux Test.

Dental Services.-The dental requirements of the boys are attended to by a Dental Inspector from the School Health Services, who visits periodically. A new dental surgery has been built by the boys under the supervision of the officers and has been properly equipped. Boys who require dentures are referred to the Dental Clinic, Toowoomba.

Religious Instruction,-Religious instruction is given to their respective denominational followers by visiting Roman Catholic priests and Anglican and Presbyterian clergymen. The Rev. C. Trudgian, of the Brisbane City Mission, paid his customary visit prior to Christmas, and provided the boys with a ''big spread. '' The lads did justice to all the good things placed before them.

To all these Reverend gentlemen, our thanks are extended.

School . ..-There was a change of school teacher in January last, when Mr. J. D. Leeson was transferred and was replaced by Mr. D. J. Harman, who is fitting in well. One boy passed the Scholarship examination in December last.

Farm.-The general farm training for boys here consists of ploughing by tractors, sunder­cutting, scarifying, seed-sowing by combine drills, harvesting by header, sowing and harvesting maize, and the complete course of planting broom millet, bending, cutting and drying, heckling, baling, and despatching to market.

Horses are used only for harrowing and, as we are living in a mechanical world to-day, boys do not take• kindly to horse-power. They like the tractor, and many of them make good drivers.

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Our district experienced a very dry summer, the early summer crops being practically a com­plete failure. No rain of any use fell here until the end of February. About 30 acres of early maize had to be put in the silo and 16 acres of broom millet had to be ploughed-in owing to the dry conditions. During July a cyclone· un:roofed our stables and sheds and almost had a sheet of iron off the dormitories when it was noticed and wired down. After the cyclone had

passed we were visited by a terrific hail-storm during early October that knocked our crops about. Five hundred and four bushels of wheat were allowed by the Wheat Board for damages. Our barley and oats suffered, too, from this hail-storm. Nevertheless, after we had filled our hay shed with wheaten and oaten hay, we harvested 165 bags of wheat, 151 bags of barley, 26 bags of oats, and 100 bags of maize. We still have another 20 acres of good maize to harvest. One hundred bags of wheat were sent to the State Wheat Board and the remainder tanked for the requirements of the institution.

With good late autumn rain, sudan grass and sweet sorghum were planted for green feed for the cows. This has kept our cows going up to the present, and we still have plenty of sor­ghum on hand. Sixty acre& of wheat have been planted this year as well as 40 acres of barley and about 30 acres of oats. The approximate weight of broom millet was 2 tons 7 cwt. 3 qr. This was planted after Christmas and yielded us a net return of £498 18s. 2d.

As an experiment to avoid soil erosion the Department· of Agriculture and Stock in June delved out two waterways in readiness for the contours to follow later in the year.

Garden.-The garden yielded 66,977 lb. of assorted vegetables, exclusive of pumpkins which came from the farm for the kitchen. The surplus vegetables were sold with a return of £57 13s. lOd.

Live;stock.-Jersey cattle held at 30th June, 1955, numbering 125, were all Brucellosis and T.B. free.

Owing to so many farmers going out of dairying it has lulled the bull sale somewhat. Nevertheless, we still sell quite a few bulls, one bull and two young heifers going as far as Maxwelton.

We again exhibited at the Toowoomba Show and had a good team of Jerseys to face the Judge. They were all shown in splendid con­dition and looked really well on the day, but we had not the success with prizes we had last year.

We exhibited our pigs at both Pittsworth and Toowoomba, and gained several prizes. At Toowoomba, included among our prize winners was the reserve champion boar which was pur­chased at the Brisbane Exhibition last year. As will be observed in the annual collections, we had a good year with our pigs. The demand has been good for both sows and boars. We have sent them as far as Abergowrie, beyond Ingham, Bundaberg, Gympie, Charleville, Cunnamulla, and various other centres, includ­ing Boggabilla, New South Wales. A boar and sow bred at Westbrook won first and third prizes in pig classes at Brisbane last year. The Judge commented very favourably on their quality.

Recreation.-Football and cricket are the two main games played on the recreation field here, football being the most favoured by the lads. Their play is of a high standard. They recently visited Pittsworth and beat a team there by 14 points to 6. It is hoped that during the coming year other matches will be arranged outside our home ground. Our boys do well owing to their good condition because of

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their regularity of work, rest, training, and good plain meals. The discipline of the home reveals itself in their match-play on the field. I appreciate very much both the co-operation and assistance that Mr. Kolberg and Mr. Harman have given the boys.

Tennis is also played here on two well-kept courts.

Indoor games played during the evening are draughts, chess, table tennis, and billiards. A wireless receiving set and a well-stocked library add to the boys' enjoyment.

Talkie pictures are screened each Saturday evening from our own projector.

Boys' Gardens.-So far as the enterprising boy is concerned the gardens are considered one of the most important sections as well as being a profitable business. Many of the boys are very interested in gardening (both vegetable and flower). The lads dispose of their vegetables to the officers and visitors who call here, and some make quite a lot of money. Gardening is a good, clean, and profitable hobby for the boys and keeps their minds occupied the right way.

Work Carried out by Department of P1tblic W orks.-The following work was carried out during the year by the Department of Public Works:-

Completion of new toilet at northern end of the wards :

Interior painting of main wards, recreation hall, stores block, administrative offices, and new toilet, and the painting of the telephone room, kitchen, and back landing at the Superintendent's residence;

Installation of new tubs, basins, and a . chip heater at the residence of the school

teacher, and the provision of a new sink in the Superintendent's home;

Erection of a new hall for school, library, and recreation purposes, and the conver­sion of the old recreation hall into a dormitory.

W 01·k Carried out by the Institution.-During the year the boys, under the supervision of the warders, painted the roofs of all the cottages, houses, and sheds on the property.

They also enclosed with louvres the verandas of the cottages, and effected repairs to the school teacher's residence, and have altered and im­proved the piggeries, erected shelter sheds and new runs, and performed much necessary concrete work.

5

The approach at the main entrance to the grounds has been much improved by the culti­vation of garden plots with concrete brick borders. On both sides of the approach and in the park, where parents and visitors may see boys, pencil pines have been planted, and already the gardens have taken on a colourful appearance. A .new "K"-wire fence is being erected at the side approach. As soon as all materials have been received two more cottages for officers will be erected. All this work pro­vides practical experience for the boys, and they show a keen interest in it.

Livestock.-The total number of livestock held at Westbrook on 30th June, 1955, was as follows:-

Jersey Cattle

Horses Berkshire Pigs

125

13

67

Amounts received from sales of stock and produce during the year are shown in the statistics attached to this report.

EMPLOYMENT.

With the present state of the labour market it has been possible to place many wards in suitable positions in commercial houses and in apprenticeships where they receive award wages.

Of those not so placed girls are sent to domestic service and boys to rural employment where their wages, in accordance with the Regulations under the State Children Acts, are as follows:-

Boys. Girls.

£ 8. d. £ 8. d. From 14 to 15 years 3 0 0 2 12 0

From 15 to 16 years 3 8 0 2 17 0

From 16 to 17 years 3 18 0 3 5 0

From 17 t.o 18 years .• 5 10 6 3 13 0

The employers deduct £1 per week for the employees' board, lodging, and laundry.

Pocket money in the case of boys is 12s., 14s. 6d., 17s. 6d., and 22s. 6d., per week, and girls lls., 13s. 6d., 16s., and 19s. per week, respectively, from the above amounts. The balance of wage is sent to this Department to be banked in trust for the child .

When being sent to employment originally the children are provided by the Department with a complete outfit of clothing, and any clothing required thereafter becomes a charge against the child's trust account.

At times much difficulty is experienced in securing suitable private acommodation for the children placed in employment where they cannot ''live in.'' When the earnings of the children are insufficient to meet the cost of board, lodgings, transport to and from work, and pocket money, the Department subsidises them until the children are self-supporting.

Some foster-mothers who have had children in their homes from early years retain them after they attain service age. In many cases the children know no other mother other than their foster-mother.

On 30th June, 1955, there were 287 State wards in employment of which number 86 were employed in commercial work or trades under award wages.

The chi~dren, :from their eighteenth birthday until they are 21 years of age, are permitted to withdraw one-quarter of the money held in trust for them by the Department, the balance being paid to them on their attaining their majority.

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At present the Department holds 712 trust accounts for State or ex-State children, with an aggregate amount to credit of £77 ,985 ls. 7 d., an increase of £10,622 during the past twelve months, or an average of £108 3s. 3d. for each account. Thirty-seven children have over £300 to their credit and 88 have from £200 to £300. These amounts assure the children of a good start in life when they attain adulthood.

EDUCATION.

In Queensland children commence school in the year they attain the age of six years whilst the leaving age is 14 years.

The Department places much emphasis on secondary education, and every opportunity is given to any State child qualifying for same.

The monetary allowance from the Department is continued during the currency of the post­primary course provided that the child qualifies before 14 years of age or in the year in which it attains that age.

The necessary school requisites for use in primary and secondary schools are provided State children by this Department. During the past twelve months the cost of such requisites was £6,526.

In the examination held in December last 132 children of the Department qualified for a Secondary School course by passing the State Scholarship or the High School Entrance Examination from the Intermediate School, whilst, in the Senior Public Examination, three were successful and 55 succeeded in passing in five or more subjects in the Junior Public Examination. On 30th June, 1955, there were 229 State children attending Secondary Schools.

The Department has frequently had inquiries from commercial houses for staff who have pro­ceeded beyond the Primary School stage, and in this way many boys and girls have been satisfactorily placed in employment.

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STREET TRADING.

Children between the ages of 12 and 14 years who are engaged in street trading, the principal form of which is the selling of newspapers, are required to obtain licenses from this Depart­ment. Children under 12 years cannot be licensed.

A person employing a child without a license is liable to prosecution and the child may be dealt with in the Court as a neglected child.

An application must be signed by the child or parent, and the Head Teacher of the school where the lad is enrolled must certify that his attendance and punctuality during the past six months have been satisfactory before a license can be issued.

Licenses must be reviewed every six months so that a check on the boy's attendance during the preceding period may b'e made.

During the past twelve months 343 street trading licenses were issued.

PuBI'1C ENTERTAINMENT.

Children under the age of seven years are not permitted, under any circumstances, to perform at public entertainments, and those between that age and seventeen years must be licensed by this Department before they can do so.

If under 14 years of age, they must produce a certificate from the Head Teacher of the school at which they are enrolled to the effect that their attendance for the past six months had been regular and punctual, and the Depart­must satisfy itself that the performance is not dangerous or injurious to the child.

The children are permitted to perform only during school vacations.

MAINTENANCE.

When children are admitted as wards of the Department parents are required to enter into an Undertaking, unless there be already an Order of Court in existence against them for the purpose, to pay 25s. per week, or an amount reasonably commensurate with their earnings, for each child's support.

An Undertaking has the same effect as a Maintenance Order, and any action taken under an Order may also be taken against a person entering into an Undertaknig.

Some parents regularly meet their cummit­ments, but there are many who endeavour to evade doing so.

Court action is taken against defaulters where considered necessary.

The amount of £22,628, being an increase of over £3,000 was collected from parents during the year.

CHn,DREN 's CouRTs.

The Metropolitan Children's Court is held in camera in a room in the bu:ilding of this Depart­ment situated in William Street. It is presided over by a Stipendiary Magistrate (at the pre­sent time, Mr. J. A. B. Nolan), from the Bench of Magistrates, Brisbane. The law requires that children under 17 years of age be tried before this Court. Most cases may b'e dealt with sum­marily by the presiding Magistrate, but those of a more serious nature where the child is charged with an indictable offence (such as breaking, entering, and stealing) are committed for trial or sentence to the Supreme Court.

In Brisbane the Director or his representative attends the Court. Elsewhere in Queensland the Court is presided over by the resident Stipendiary Magistrate or, if he is not avail­able, by two Justices.

During the year ending 30th J u:ne, 1955, 349 children (291 boys and 58 girls) appeared before the Metropolitan Court as against 304 for the previous year, and 343 children (312 boys and 31 girls) as against 315 for last year in the Country Courts. The total number of children dealt with throughout the State was 692, compared with 619 for the past year, an increase of 73 or approximately 11 per cent.

The number sent to the Farm Home for Boys, West brook, through the Children's and Criminal Courts was 69, an increase of 11 over last year's figures.

The Courts committed 30 gids to Industrial Schools. Many of these were cases of moral delinquency .. The other cases were dealt with as shown in the summary elsewhere in this report.

It may be of interest to note it is rarely that a child appears before the Court charged with being an habitual truant from school. Social Service workers from other lands who

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have raised the question with me have been sur­prised to learn that truancy is not a problem here. I feel that this reflects credit on our education system and the work of our teachers in both State and denominational schools.

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Most offenders are in the age group 14-16 years. Young people are subject to many temp­tations to-day, as we live in a difficult age for youth, with its attendant urge for hustle and excitement.

As to the cause of child delinquency I would say that there is still a lack of parental control, over-indulgence and indifference of parents, the disrupted home, and the dissociation of the child from spiritual influences. There are, of course, times when a child from a well ordered and good class home appears before the Court, but such cases are in the minority and rarely is there a reappearance. It may be said that children brought up in Church and Sunday School are seldom brought up in Court. It wou:ld be advantageous to the community if children were moulded into the activties of Churches or into other helpful organisations. They could also be offered simple pleasures and entertainment in their own homes as an aid to combat delinquency.

One noticeable feature of the Children's Court is that, in the majority of cases which are heard, "father" allows "mother" to accompany the offending child to the Court. Perhaps a lesson may he learned here that it would be a good thing for "father" to take more interest in his boy's doings, hobbies, sport, reading, outings, accomplishments, and in his spiritual welfare. Companionship between father and son should be fostered.

PROBATION WORK.

Where a boy is brought before a Court, the presiding Magistrate or Trial Judge may feel that, though the case does not warrant the removal of the lad from the parental home, there should be some supervision, help and guidance given to him. In such a case the boy is released on probation to the care of his parents, which means that the home and the boy are subject to visitati9n by an Inspector of this Department. At the outset the boy is given to understand that the Inspector is there to help him. For the work to be successful there must be co-operation between the parents, boy, and Department, and regular visitation by the Inspector to the home. In most cases the parents co-operate, but there are times which call for plain speaking. Where the Director is not satisfied with the conduct of the boy whilst on probation, he may, without warrant, have the lad brought before the Court and dealt with again.

There were 168 children on probation on 30th June, 1955. In this phase of opr work many children have been saved from further lapses.

ADOPTION.

Under "The Adoption of Children Acts, 1936 to 1952, '' the Director is the sole authority in Queensland to issue Adoption Orders.

This section of our work is a very pleasing one as the adoptive parents feel they have security when an Order is issued and, from a

Departmental point of view, it is very gratifying to feel a child's future has been assured with the placement of an infant in a home which measures up to requirements.

All applications to adopt are carefully investi­gated. The necessary inquiries cover character, health, home set-up, ability to bring up, main­tain, and educate a child, and temperamental fitness of the applicants.

Applications are received from couples in all walks of life. Our great difficulty is to satisfy all these applications, as they are far in excess of the number of children offering, hence there is a waiting list of approved applicants. It is very gratifying to officers here to receive letters of thanks, often accompanied by snapshots of adopted infants, from parents expressing pleas­ure at the joy "the little stranger" has brought to the home. A typical letter recently received reads:-

'' On behalf of my husband and myself I should like to thank you and all the mem­bers of your staff who, in any way, handled our recent adoption case. We want you to know how much we appreciate the kindli­ness and tact we find in your staff and, at the same time, the efficiency with which they attend to these matters. If they only realise the happiness which they dispense, they must find theirs a most satisfying job.

"--is truly a very pretty little baby, and I think she '11 be as happy in her new home as her new parents are to have her here-big brother, too, of course."

Frequently parents call with their adopted <>hild to show the progress made. These visits, which are not solicited, are all the more welcome, as once the adoption is finalised the Department purposely retires from the picture so that there will be no interference with the family set-up.

The tables below set out the position in connection with applications and adoption of children during the past twelve months:-

ADOPTION.

Applications received . . 877 Adoption orders issued . . 662 Applications refused 37 Applications withdrawn 89 Adoptions cancelled 1 Adopted by spouse 196 Adopted by relatives 78 Adopted by non-relatives 388

Particulars as to ages of children adopted are as follows:-

- I Males. Females., Total. ---

Under one year .. . . 175 188 363 From one to three years. .. 26 48 74 From three to six years .. 43 31 74 From six to twelve years .. 51 54 105 From twelve to sixteen years 13 16 29 From sixteen to twenty-one

years . . .. . . 9 8 17

Totals .. .. 317 345 662

Legitimate children adopted 68 70 138 Illegitimate children adopted 249 275 524

Totals .. .. 317 345 662

AGD.0003.001.0025

Occupation of Adopters.

Farming I

Professional, Un· \ Pensioners, &c. and Managerial Skilled. skilled.

Grazing. and Clerical. -----

93 147 196 212 I 14

INFANT IJIFE PROTECTION ACTS.

Under these Acts any person receiving into her home for a period longer than 48 hours a child under six years of age, to whom she is not related, must have a Certificate of Regis­tration to do so. The intention of the legislation is to protect young life and to see that infants are not placed in undesirable surroundings and in the care and custody of persons considered not fit to undertake such a responsibility.

Homes are visited by Inspectors of the Department.

On 30th June, 1955, there were 165 children in 42 registered nursing homes.

The Act also requires the occupier of a house or place in which an illegitimate child is born to register the birth within 72 hours. The death of an illegitimate infant under six years must be registered within 24 hours.

For the year ending 30th June, 1955, there were 1,506 illegitimate births, an increase of 155 over the number for last year. Of the total number 563 were born to parents who were ·Jiving in the community as man and wife.

MIGRATION.

8

As the delegate in Queensland for the Com­monwealth Minister of Immigration in accord­ance with the Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Act the Director of this Department exercises control and supervision over immigrant children under 21 years of age coming to this State other than in the care of parents or relatives.

Nominations by non-relatives for such children to be admitted to Queensland are fully investi­gated by this Department before approval is given.

In such matters there is a liaison between Commonwealth and State Migration Offices, each working for the happy reception of the migrants and their future welfare.

Two denominational institutions, St. Joseph 's Home, NeerkolJ, via Rockhampton, and the Salvation Army Home for Boys, Riverview, have received British children from overseas.

Since 1951 11 boys and 37 girls have gone to St. Joseph 's Home. This Department has carried out the wishes of the United Kingdom authorities in seeing that the children are well educated and, where possible, they are able to proceed to. a post-primary course.

Of the children mentioned six have already gained State Scholarships and have attended Secondary Schools. One boy who gained an extension scholarship in the Junior Public

Examination is now studying to the Senior standard. Owing to the lack of suitable daily transport it was necessary to place these six children in boarding schools.

Six of the older children are in suitahle employment, one boy having over £300 to his credit in the bank.

Every care has been bestowed upon the migrant children by the Sisters at the home who have done their utmost to see that the children are happy and contented.

The Salvation Army Home at Riverview has been a training farm for the migrant lads over 15 years of age who have arrived in batches at various times. After approximately three months at the home, during which time the lads are trained in rural work, they are placed in positions so that they may earn their own living.

Since 1950 55 youths have come from Great Britain to this home and, with the exception of five, who only arrived on 23rd June, 1955, and who are at present undergoing training, all have been happily placed. So appreciativa are some of them of the kindness and atten­tion given to them at the home that they call periodically on the superintendent and staff to pay their respects.

For each migrant child in these homes the United Kingdom Government remits 10s. cur­rency (12s. 6d. Australian), the Commonwealth Government pays Child Endowment of 10s. per week and the State's allowance is 12s. 6d. per week, making a total of £1 15s. per week until 16 years of age.

The State provides the children who qualify for a secondary school course and who have to enter a boarding school to take out their scholar­ship, with an initial outfit of clothing and the necessary school requisites, but where such a child on attaining that age is still attending a secondary school the State increases its payment to 25s. per week, but payments from other Governments cease.

Staff .-The death occurred in March of Mr. A. W. l\forgan, who very ably filled the position of Inspector, State Children Depart­ment, Rockhampton. I extend the sympathy of the Department to the widow and family.

The tempo of the work is faster of latter years, as Social Services have figured more prominently in the public eye. The members of the staff have worked faithfully and well.

CONCLUSION.

The Department has a close and happy liaison with many Commonwealth Departments and Church and other organisations. To them, as well as to the Police Force, school teachers, the ChiJ.d Welfare Departments of other States, and to the hospitals and members of the medical and legal professions who have assisted in the smooth running of the adoption work, our thanks are extended.

I have the honour to be,

Your obedient servant,

H. HARRIS, Director.

AGD.0003.001.0026

9

The following tables show the number of children under State control on 30th June, 1955, the number dealt with during the year, and the work of the Department generally during the past twelve months:-

INMATES OF INSTITUTIONS.

Institution. Inmates, Admitted Left Inmates, 30-6-54. during Year. during Year. 3Q-6-55.

Diamantina Receiving Depot, Wooloowin 29 198 193 34 Infants' Home, Wooloowin 27 141 132 36 Farm Home for Boys, Westbrook 114 135 130 119 Rockhampton Receiving Dep6t .. 10 27 20 17 Townsville Receiving Dep6t 20 31 30 21 Industrial School, Palm Island Aboriginal Settlement 1 1 James Horton Industrial School for Girls, Toowoomba 30 18 12 36 Industrial School for Girls, Toowong 13 28 23 18 Industrial School for Girls, Rockhampton (Talford Street) 1 1 Boy's Home, lndooroopilly 38 21 23 36 Industrial School for Boys, Riverview .. 28 56 58 26 St. George's Orphanage, Parkhurst 45 27 29 43 St. Vincent's Home for Children, Nudgee 354 244 275 323 St. Joseph's Home, Neerkoll 97 66 49 114 Industrial School for Girls, Nudgee lndu8trial School for Girls, Wooloowin .. 21 19 21 19 Holy Cross Retreat, W ooloowin .. 7 30 32 5 Home of Good Shepherd, Mitchelton 17 21 19 19 Queen Alexandra Home, Coorparoo 24 10 6 28 Margaret Marr Memorial Home for Boys, Wynnum 36 4 14 26 Blackbeath Home for Children, Oxley .. 16 18 7 27 W. R. Black Home for Children, Chelmer 12 18 7 23 Marsden Home for Boys, Kallangur 8 2 5 5 Tufnell Home, Nundah 57 15 32 40 Church of England Boys' Home, Enoggera 41 34 20 55 Industrial School, Cherbourg 17 2 15 Industrial School, Wooroobinda 6 1 5

Totals 1,069 1,163 1,141 1,091

The above table shows the actual movements of children to and from the institutions. Those admitted include the children entering the homes by way of fresh admission or by transfer from a foster-home, employment, or from other institutions.

CAUSES FOR ADMISSION.

I. Both parents dead .. .. .. . . 2. Both parents deserted .. .. .. .. 3. Parents divorced .. .. .. .. 4. Parents unable to accommodate .. . . 5. Parents unable to control . . . . . . 6, Mother dead, father unable to look after . . 7. Mother insane, father unable to look after .. 8. Mother in hospital, father unable to look after 9. Mother deserted, father unable to look after

10. Mother invalid, father unable to look after . . 11. Father dead, mother unable to support .. 12. Father deserted, mother dead . . . . .. 3. Father deserted, mother unable to support .. 4. Father in gaol, mother unable to support .. 5. Father insane, mother unable to support ..

I 1 1 1 I I

6. Father an invalid, mother unable to support 7. Father in hospital, mother unable to support 8. Father dead, mother deserted . . . . . .

19. Ex-nuptial, mother unable to support . . 2 2 2 2 2 2

0. Ex-nuptial, child an encumbrance I. Ex-nuptial, mother deserted .. 2. Ex-nuptial, mother dead . . 3. Committed by Court .. .. 4. Released on probation by Court 5. Notice of Default .. ..

.. .. -· . . .. . . .. .. .. .. .. ..

.. . . . .

.. . . . .

.. .. . .

.. . . ..

.. .. . .

.. .. . .

.. . . . .

.. . . ..

.. .. . .

.. .. . .

.. .. . .

.. .. . .

. . .. . .

.. .. . . .. .. ..

. . .. ..

.. .. ..

.. .. . .

. . . . .. .. . . .. .. . . .. .. . . . . .. .. .. .. . . .. .. .. . .

Southern. I Central. J Northern. I Total.

8 3 2 13 8 4 . . 12

17 6 3 26 27 3 3 33

7 1 .. 8 6 2 .. 8 6 . . .. 6

44 . . 8 52 55 . . 8 63 8 5 .. 13

329 77 54 460 9 .. . . 9

288 29 13 330 73 1 14 88 18 .. 1 19

184 49 15 248 74 . . 1 75

.. . . . . .. 108 9 6 123 .. . . 1 I

1 3 1 5 2 .. . . 2

106 2 7 115 54 1 9 64

. . I .. 1

1,432 196 146 1,774

AGD.0003.001.0027

10

CHILDREN DEALT WITH DURING YEAR,

umber on 30-6-54 .. N A T

.. dmitted during year .. ransferred from other districts

Totals

ransferred to other districts T c eased to be under control ..

Totals

N umber on 30-6-55 .. ..

.. .. .. . . .. .. .. . . .. .. .. . .

.. .. .. ..

. . .. .. . . . . .. .. ..

.. .. .. ..

.. .. .. ..

. . . . 3,987 807 425

.. .. 1,432 196 146

. . . . 36 26 17

. . .. 5,455 1,029 588

.. . . 27 27 25

.. . . 1,309 177 128

.. . . 1,336 204 153

. . .. 4,119 825 I 435

RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURE.

Department of Health and Home Affairs Expenditure.

Salaries, Department Diamantina Receiving Depot and

Infants' Home, W ooloowin-Salaries Maintenance ..

Receiving Depot, Rockhampton­Salaries Maintenance ..

Townsville Receiving Depot­Salaries Maintenance ..

Farm Home for Boys, Westbrook­Salaries Cash equivalent long service leave Maintenance ..

Incidentals-Travelling Allowances, &c. Medical Officers Boarding-out-

Southern District Central District Northern District

Maintenance of Inmates-Queen Alexandra Home, Coorparoo St. Joseph's Home, Neerkoll Holy Cross Retreat, W ooloowin St. Vincent's Home for Children,

Nudgee

£ s. d. 22,934 18 0

21,543 17 4 16,656 9 7

2,267 17 4 2,224 0 6

2,670 3 2 2,815 14 5

10,501 9 4 552 8 5

9,807 6 2 7,430 3 11

260 0 0

176,615 16 3 35,696 14 9 23,652 14 4

1,536 19 7 6,589 2 4

356 8 5

22,110 13 3

W arks DepartrMnt Expenditure. £ 8, d.

Diamantina Receiving Depot and Infants' Home 7,642 18 1

Farm Home for Boys, Westbrook 9,584 13 8 Townsville Receiving Depot 2 2 6 Rockhampton Receiving Depot 290 9 6

Total, Works Department 17,520 3 9

Gross Expenditure £406,673 13 3

St. George's Orphanage, hampton

Margaret Marr Memorial Wynn um

Blackheath Oxley

Home for

Rook-

Home,

Children,

W. R. Black Home for Children, Chelmer.,

Marsden Home for Boys, Kallangur Tufnell Home, Nundah Church of England Boys' Home,

Enoggera Salvation Army Boys' Home, Indoo­

roopilly .. Industrial Schools for Girls­

Rookhampton Toowong Wooloowin Toowoomba .. Mitohelton

Industrial School for Boys­Riverview

Total, Department of Health and Home Affairs

Collections.

Southern District Maintenance .. Central District Maintenance Northern District Maintenance .. Farm Home for Boys, Westbrook-Sales­

Stock Milk and Cream Hides Wheat Garden Collections Prize Money Millet Other Sales .•

Miscellaneous Collections Adoption Fees

Gross Collections

£ 8, d. 2,017 12 5 1,338 16 0

10 12 5 132 10 5

57 13 10 28 0 0

306 5 0 211 13 0

I

~ 5,219 1,774

79

7,072

79 1,614

1,693

5,379

--

£ 8. rJ.

2,532 5 9

2,133 2 1

1,438 12 7

1,162 4 8 381 3 6

2,974 8 6

2,828 12 8

2,338 7 6

18 11 2 1,138 18 4 1,090 19 3 1,952 17 11 1,175 14 3

1,764 14 3

389,153 9 6

£ 8, d 17,737 4 10 3,297 0 5 1,593 12 8

4,103 3 1 1,860 16 2

734 10 6 29,326 7 8

Net Cost £377,347 5 7

AGD.0003.001.0028

11

TRUST MONEYS.

Southern District. ! £ 8. d.

Central Dlst~~1 Northern District.

£ 8. d. £ 8. d.

Totals. Particulars.

£ 8. d. Balance, 30th June, 1954 Wages deposited during year Interest added Sundry collections deposited

Totals

Withdrawals ..

Balance of wages held, 30th June, 1955

56,716 l l 21,162 8 11

1,284 0 5 2,034 0 6

81,196 10 11

14,849 14 7

66,346 16 4

9,030 6 11 2,986 17 8

218 2 5 164 1 10

12,399 8 10

2,503 2 0

9,896 6 10

1,618 13 10 67,365 l 10 446 3 8 24,595 10 3

39 4 3 1,541 7 l 26 7 6 2,224 9 10

2,130 9 3 95,726 9 0

388 10 10 17,741 7 5

1,741 18 5 77,985 1 7

SUMMARY OF STATE CHILDREN "\YORK FOR PAST FIVE YEARS.

Year.

Particulars. 1950-51. 1951-52. 1952-53. 1953·54. 1954·55.

In institutions on 30th June .. 1,037 1,029 1,022 1,069 1,091 In hospitals on 30th June 49 62 62 46 44 Boarded-out with foster-mothers on 30th June 325 312 287 287 282 Boarded-out with female relatives on 30th June 3,032 3,014 3,214 3,346 3,494 In employment on 30th June 283 281 262 296 287 Released on probation on 30th June .. 163 179 166 175 168 Total number under control on 30th June .. 4,905 4,877 5,013 5,219 5,379 Admitted during the year 1,338 1,414 1,535 1,644 1,774 Ceased to be under control during the year 1,484 1,442 1,391 1,448 1,616 Total died during the year . . . • . • 4 9 7 9 7 Infants under 1 year, died 1 1 1 Infants l year and under 2 years, died 1 l 2 1 Infants over 2 years, died 2 7 4 8 7 Number of institutions (total) 27 27 27 27 27 Number of institutions (State) 8 8 8 8 8 Number of institutions (licensed) 19 19 19 19 19 Children dealt with 6,448 6,363 6,466 6,728 7,072 Maintenance collections 12,900 15,844 16,039 19,437 22,628 Miscellaneous collections 980 1,189 1,433 529 1,861 Westbrook sales 2,649 3,377 3,545 2,938 4,103 Health and Home Department expenditure 206,307 267,687 321,399 334,489 389,153 Works Department expenditure 1,153 2,426 4,454 5,245 17,520 Total expenditure 207,460 270,ll3 325,853 316,061 406,673 Children's wages held on 30th June 43,551 49,126 57,935 67,365 77,985 Wages collected during the year 12,265 16,622 19,995 21,099 24,595 Private money deposited 1,140 1,581 1,662 2,621 2,224 Interest added .. 784 936 1,043 1,232 1,541 Paid to children during the year 10,465 13,564 13,891 15,523 17, 741 Number of Savings Bank accounts 737 701 673 697 721 Number of families assisted 1,445 1,438 1,491 1,557 1,617 Adoption fees .. 852 878 800 768 734 Child endowment 3,616 2,929 3,235 4,077 3,581

AGD.0003.001.0029

12

SUMMARY OF THE METROPOLITAN CnILDRE""'s COURTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 1955.

Under 10 Years.

10 to 14 Years.

14 to 16 Years.

16 and under 17 Years.

Males. Fe Total. Total.

mal;s, Males. l Fe- Males. I Fe- Males. I Fe- Ma.Jes. , Fe-males. males. males. males.

Offences against the Person­Aggravated assault on female Unlawful carnal knowledge Attempted unlawful carnal

8 2

. . --8---.-. -.-.-. - --1---.-. -i--4-.-.-. ---3---.-. - --~ 2 ........ 1 .. 1 .. 2

knowledge . . . . Murder . . . . . . Unlawful assault on male ..

Totals

1 1 1

13

1 1 1

13

1 1

1

2 7 4

1 1 1

13 -------------J----1----1------------------------------Offences against Property-

Stealing . . . . . . 166 Unlawful using property . . 19 Wilful destruction . . . . 8 Wilful damage . . . . 2 Breaking and entering . . 16 Possession of property . . 4 Receiving stolen property . . 4 Breaking and entering with

intent . . . . . . 4 Stealing (horse) . . . , 1 False pretences . . . . 3

Totals 227

13

1

14

179 19

8 2

16 4 4

4 1 4

241

43 1 1

45

1

1

86 5 3

7

2

1 1

105

6

1

7

37 13

4 2 9 4 2

4

2

77

6

6 -------------1----1------------------------------Offences against Good Order­

Gross indecency . . . . Using obscene language .. Disorderly conduct . . . . Indecent behaviour .. Wilful exposure . . . . Vagrancy . . . . . . Drunkenness . . . .

Totals

2 2 2 1 4 4 1

16

2 2 2 1 4 4 1

16

2

2

1

1 1

3

2 1 2 1 3 1 1

11 -------------1----1------------------------------Other Offences-

Neglected and uncontrollable Breaches-

Firearms Act . • . . Main Roads Regulations Liquor Act . . . . Post and Telegraph Act Traffic Act ..

Totals

27

1. 1 3 1 2

35

44

44

71

1 1 3 1 2

79

7

7

13 10 5 9

2 1

13 11 5 11

13

13

1

1 1 1

2

6

13

13 -------------1---------------------------------

Grand Totals .. 291 58 349 7 13 60 6 126 20 98 19 -------------!---------------------------------How Dealt with­

Admonished and discharged Committed-

Westbrook .• Industrial School Other Institutions

Released on probation Committed for trial Committed for sentence .. Discharged . . . . Dismissed . . . . Withdrawn . . . . Bail forfeited . . . . Remanded to other States

Both Parents living Father deceased Mother deceased Both Parents deceased­

(a) With relatives (b) With Non-relatives

Parents apart-(a) With father .. (b) With mother ..

Father in services Apart from parents Father away working .. Illegitimate-

177

30

10 27 10

6 25

4

2

159 23 13

2 1

5 47

35

16

14 11 4

8 5

193

30 14 21 31 10

6 33

5 4

2

3

5 7

2 3

36

3

5 8 1

7

METROPOLITAN CLASSIFICATIONS.

22 7 2

1

3 11

9

181 30 15

3 1

8 58

44

1 1

1

1 2

8 1

4

36 3 1

3 13

4

2 1

1 2

2 1

1

1

1

79

16

15 4 2 7

3

70 11 7

19

17

7

7 1 2

3

8 3 1

5

2

62

11

4 5 4 9

1

2

52 8 5

1 1

1 13

14

6

7 1 1

4

4 2 1

2 2

6

179 19

8 2 16 4 4

4 I 4

241

2 2 2 1 4 4 I

16

71

1 1 3 1 2

79

349

193

30 14 21 31 10

6 33

5 4

2

181 30 15

3 1

8 58

44

(a) With mother .. (b) Otherwise

4 2 6 1 3 2 6 2 1 3 1 1 1 3

Totals 291----SSM9\--1-1360--6-126209819349

AGD.0003.001.0030

13

APPEARANCES BEFORE METROPOLITAN CHILDREN'S COURT.

First Appearance. Second Appearance. Third Appearance. I Over Three Appearances.

Males. Females. Total.

Males. Females. Males. Females. Males. Females. Males. Females.

291 58 349 224 56 45 2 14 .. 8 ..

DAMAGES AND OTHER COSTS ORDERED IN THE METROPOLITAN CHILDREN'S COURT.

Restitution. Costs of Court. Professional Costs. Total.

£ 8. d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d.

1,154 18 7 14 0 0 .. 1,168 18 7

SUMMARY OB' COUNTRY CmLDREN'S COURTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 1955.

~ u.~ rnrou ~" 16 and nnder 17 10 Years. Years. Years. Years.

-- Males. Fe· ~ Total.

males. Males. Fe- Males. Fe· Males. Fe- Males. Fe-

males. males. males. males. ---------Offences against the Person-

Aggravated assault on female 7 . . 7 .. .. .. .. 4 .. 3 . . 7 Aggravated assault .. . . 2 . . 2 .. . . .. .. 2 .. . . . . 2 Unlawful carnal knowledge 3 . . 3 . . . . .. .. 2 .. 1 . . 3 Assault .. .. . . 1 . . 1 . . . . 1 . . .. . . . . . . 1

------------------------------------Totals .. . . 13 .. 13 . . .. 1 . . 8 . . 4 .. 13

------------------------------Offences against Property-

Stealing .. . . . . 205 9 214 9 .. 62 7 83 1 51 1 214 Possession of property .. 10 .. 10 .. .. .. . . 5 . . 5 .. 10 Wilful destruction . . .. 20 .. 20 1 .. 3 .. 11 . . 5 . . 20 Receiving . . . . .. 3 . . 3 .. . . 1 .. 2 . . . . .. 3 Unlawfully using motor

vehicles . . .. .. 18 .. 18 1 . . 4 .. 5 . . 8 . . 18 Unlawfully interfering with

bicycles .. .. .. 2 . . 2 .. . . . . .. . . . . 2 . . 2 Wilful damage .. ... 2 . . 2 .. . . .. .. 2 . . . . .. 2 False pretences .. . . 1 2 3 .. .. . . . . . . 1 1 1 3

------------------------------------Totals .. .. 261 11 272 11 .. 70 7 108 2 72 2 272

------------------------------

Offences against Good Order-Wilful exposure . . .. 2 .. 2 .. .. . . .. 1 . . 1 . . 2 Using obscene language .. 1 .. 1 .. . . . . .. .. . . 1 . . 1 Ship desertion . . .. 1 . . 1 .. . . . . . . .. . . 1 . . 1

---------------------------------Totals .. .. 4 . . 4 . . . . . . .. 1 . . 3 .. 4

---------------------------Other Offences-

Neglected and uncontrollable 20 20 40 3 5 12 3 3 9 2 3 40 ---------------------------------

Breaches-Firearms Act .. .. 2 .. 2 .. . . .. .. 2 . . . . . . 2 Liquor Act .. .. 2 . . 2 . . .. .. .. . . . . 2 . . 2 Traffic Act .. .. 7 . . 7 .. . . .. .. 2 . . 5 .. 7 Main Roads Regulations 3 .. 3 . . .. .. .. 1 . . 2 . . 3

---------------------------------Totals .. . . 14 .. 14 .. .. . . .. 5 . . 9 . . 14

---------------------------Grand Totals .. '. 312 31 343 14 5 83 10 125 11 90 5 343

------------------------------How Dealt with-

Admonished and discharged 223 10 233 8 .. 58 7 94 l 63 2 233 Committed-

Westbrook .. .. 23 .. 23 .. . . 4 .. 11 . . 8 . . 23 Industrial School .. l 5 6 .. .. l .. . . 4 . . l 6 Other Institutions .. 25 11 36 3 4 13 2 6 3 3 2 36

Released on probation .. 26 l 27 .. .. 3 .. 10 l 13 . . 27 Committed for trial . . .. .. .. .. .. . . .. .. . . . . . . . . Committed for sentence .. 3 .. 3 .. . . .. .. 2 . . l . . 3 Discharged .. .. . . 5 4 9 .. l 3 l .. 2 2 . . 9 Dismissed .. . . .. 4 .. 4 3 . . l .. .. . . . . . . 4 Withdrawn .. .. .. 2 . . 2 .. .. . . .. 2 .. . . . . 2 Bail forfeited .. ,. .. .. .. . . .. .. .. .. .. . . .. . . Remanded to other States

1~ .. .. .. .. .. .. . . .. . . .. . .

Totals .. .. 31 343)14 --5-183 10 125. 11 90 5 343

AGD.0003.001.0031

14

SUMMARY OF INFANT LIFE PROTECTION WORK AND ADOPTION WoRK FOR PAST FIVE YEARS.

~1950-51. ~I 1952-53. 11953-1954. , 1954-55.

Infants in Nursing Homes, 30th June 120 135 147 150 165 Infants admitted 508 548 393 448 383 Infants removed 530 533 381 445 368 Nursing Homes, 30th June 38 32 36 38 42 Applications to register received 11 7 11 13 5 Applications approved 9 7 9 13 5 Applications withdrawn 2 2 Homes cancelled 6 13 5 11 1 Ex-nuptial births registered 1,313 1,342 1,404 1,351 1,506 Total ex-nuptial infants died 43 51 78 58 26 Total ex-nuptial infants died in Nursing Homes I Total ex-nuptial infants died in Hospitals .. 38 49 69 52 25 Legitimate infants in Nursing Homes 84 102 75 86 Ex-nuptial infants born to parents living together 543 554 713 630 563 Ex-nuptial infants born to married women 371 375 384 368 389 Adoptions approved .. 851 860 819 756 662 State Children adopted 48 50 56 57 40

By Authority: A. H. TUCKER, Government Printer, Brisbane.

AGD.0003.001.0032