bed. They must, of course, conform to the Home's standard of discipline and routine.
94. It is noteworthy that since the opening of the Home in June 1955 only six boys have absconded, all of whom were re- apprehended and appropriately dealt with by the Court.
95. The Children's Centre, Kowloon, maintains its useful function of offering accommodation, food, elementary education and vocational training to juveniles who are accepted at the Centre upon the recommendation of the Court or the Probation Officers or other Welfare Agencies. Over 100 boys, some 40 of whom are boarders, attend the Centre daily. Films and talks are a regular feature, and widen the interest and educa- tion of the inmates. During the year a Boy Scout Group (23rd Kowloon Group) has been established and has shown keen enthusiasm.
96. Practical experience gained during the administration of this Centre has indicated the need to establish another Centre, which will provide similar opportunities to a rather older age group of from 14 years to 18 years, and enable boys who have reached 14 years of age to be transferred from the first Centre to the new Centre, where the intention in mind is to provide a more advanced form of training specifically designed to equip boys to become self-relient and responsible citizens, able to make their own way in the world.
97. The Castle Peak Boys' Home maintains its programme of primary education, tailoring, shoe-making and leatherwork, carpentry, rattan work, etc. This Home is an Approved School where 100 boys who are the subjects of Court Orders are sent for residential training for periods varying from 2 years to 5 years; in no case is a boy detained in residence beyond the age of 18 years. The Home is managed by the Salvation Army under an agreement with Government which terminates early next year, after which the Social Welfare Office will take over the direct administration of the Home.
98. Kwai Chung Girls' Home continues to give residential training which includes primary education, needlework, rattan work, housework, etc., but the Home is seldom full owing to the low crime figure amongst girls in Hong Kong.
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