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It is anticipated that as the result of the publicity thus obtained there will be a great increase in the number of cases reported and that it will be necessary in the near future to engage the services of an additional Inspector.
Your Committee feels that it is desirable for the time being to engage only women as Inspectors as it is believed that they more readily gain access to the homes of those concerned and that they are more capable of advising in matters of child welfare than men.
Your Committee have given much consideration to the subject of the treatment of juvenile offenders.
In answer to questions asked by the Hon. Dr. Kotewall the Colonial Secretary stated that during the year 1929 the number of boys under sixteen years of age brought before the Magistrates was 985 and the number of girls of like age 137.
It was stated that such children under 16 years of age, while being detained at the Police Court or at the Gaol awaiting trail, were detained in company with adult offenders, and that (unless bail had been found) they were placed in the dock with adult offenders.
It was further stated that 131 of the boys and 5 of the girls were sent to prison.
Your Committee feel that it is in the highest degree undesirable for juvenile offenders to be brought into contact with adult offenders whether before, at or after their trial, and they welcome the Govern- ment's acceptance of the motion in favour of the establishment of Juvenile Courts which was proposed by the Hon. Dr. Kotewall at the meeting of the Legislative Council on the 2nd October and was seconded by the Hon. Mr. Owen Hughes and supported by the Hon. Dr. Tso.
Your Committee feel that, though the imprisonment of some few incorrigible juvenile offenders may be inevitable, the imprisonment of youthful offenders in general is wrong in principle. The individual's fear of prison is to a large extent a sentimental one and once a culprit has been in gaol that sentiment is destroyed for ever. Particularly must this be so in any place where the standards of living are low for a great bulk of the population.
Your Committee feel that there is great danger of the mind of the youthful offender being contaminated by contact with older delinquents.
Your Committee has had under consideration a Bill drafted by Mr. Hazlerigg making provision for the institution of Juvenile Courts, the segregation of youthful offenders before and during trial, the appointment of probation officers charged with the duty of supervising youthful offenders released on probation, and the sub- stitution of custody in a place of detention to be provided under the Bill for imprisonment as now inflicted.
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The Committee has forwarded this Bill to the Government for consideration.
Your Committee recognize the need for the provision of institutions wherein youthful offenders can receive industrial education and this matter will continue to receive careful consideration.
Your Committee desire to express their thanks to the Government and to the Chamber of Commerce for permitting the use of rooms for their meetings; to the District Watch Committee to the Auditors, Messrs. Percy Smith, Seth and Fleming; to Doctors and Hospitals for their valued help; and to the Press of the Colony for its interest in the Society's work and the gratuitous publication of lists of sub- scriptions and other matter.
Cases Investigated.
As mentioned elsewhere in this report the Society had no Inspector until the appointment of Misa Seto in August.
The total number of cases investigated between the 1st August and the 14th November was 27.
August and September produced only four cases in all, but in October 13 cases were investigated and the first 14 days of November produced a further 10 cases.
The 27 cases investigated affected the welfare of 27 children and involved 49 offenders or persons advised.
In 26 cases the parents were advised or warned, and in 11 of these the Inspector arranged for medical treatment, on several occasions accompanying the parents on their taking the children to hospital. No prosecutions were considered necessary.
The Inspector made 63 supervision visits.
Seven cases were reported by various hospital authorities and the remainder were found by the Inspector.
The cases may be classified as follows:-
Neglect, including improper feeding through ignorance or otherwise, or neglect to obtain medical treatment.. Suffering due to poverty..
19
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1
Advice sought on account of disease...
Homeless and without relatives.....
No cases of ill-treatment or assault and no cases in connection
with mui tsai have as yet been reported.
The ages of the children concerned were as follows:-
Under 1 year....
From 1 year and up to 7 years........ From 7 years and up to 14 years.....
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12
296
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