51. Under a new system introduced during the year, the superin- tendent made a special report to the Courts on every juvenile remanded, particularly on physical condition and suitability for committal to the Castle Peak Boys' Home.
52. The Castle Peak Boys' Home, which is run on similar lines to an approved school in the United Kingdom, is also the responsibility of the Probation Section. It accepts boys under 16 who have been committed for periods varying between two and five years under the Industrial and Reformatory Schools Ordinance of 1933. A system of discharge on licence was started during the second quarter of the year for boys who have been at the Home for about two and a half years and has so far worked very satisfactorily. During the year there were 40 admissions and 39 discharges compared with 28 admissions and 50 dis- charges the previous year. Of those discharged, 24 were on licence and only two out of the 39 have failed to make good so far. The number of boys at the Home stood at 92 at the close of the year. The average daily muster was 89.
53. Apart from these two institutions, the Section also maintained close connexion with the Shanghai Street Children's Centre. The super- intendent is a seconded probation officer and the Principal Probation Officer is ex officio Chairman of the Management Committee. The Centre provides all-day club facilities and a character-training pro- gramme for about 100 boys of whom slightly less than half live at the Centre. During the year 77 boys were admitted and 67 discharged. All the boys were from poor families and a few are orphans. Some had distinct behaviour problems and so needed residential training.
54. Improved and increased contact was made with a number of welfare agencies. For example, closer liaison was established with the Committee and the warden of the Juvenile Care Centre which under- takes to help children who have never had a fair chance in life, on lines comparable with the Shanghai Street Children's Centre. During the year the Hong Kong Sea School increased from 300 to 350 the accom- modation for boys who otherwise would have had little prospect of making good, who are accepted for a four-year training course as seamen and stewards. There were ready avenues of employment for these boys, after training, with leading shipping and oil companies. At the same time the Hong Kong Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society gave increased assistance in the task of rehabilitating prisoners. The Society now employs four case workers under a welfare officer and is responsible
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