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associated with the higher birth-rate for the years 1920 and 1921. As, however,
the birth-rate has again fallen a further diminution in numbers may be anticipated.

The increase in 1930 is largely due to cases being brought to notice in the poor
law schools transferred to the Council under the provisions of the Local Government
Act, 1929.
It might also be questioned whether a material change has taken place in the
standards of certification. With a view to elucidating this point, the data of the
mental ages of the children have been classified in three yearly periods, the data for
four of these being now available. From this it would appear that there has been no
material change:—
Chronological age in years.
Mean Mental age in years.
1918-19-20. 1921-22-23. 1924-25-26. 1927-28-29.
7 4.9 4.8 4.6 4.6
8 5.7 5.7 5.6 5.6
9 6.3 6.5 6.4 6.3
10 6.8 7.0 7.0 6.9
11 7.1 7.4 7.4 7.5
12 7.7* 7.5 7.6 7.8
13 8.2* 7.8 7.7 8.0
14 8.4* 8.1 8.2 8.0
* Including re-examination cases.
Further details of the last triennium are as follows, the table dealing only with
children admitted to the special schools and excluding the re-examination of those
already in attendance:—