View report page

70
It will be seen that of the boys only 10 per cent, and of the girls 8 per cent, were up to their
age or above it for reading and arithmetic, whereas 23.5 per cent, of boys and 25 per cent, of
girls attained that level for general intelligence.
Taking boys and girls together, 90 per cent, showed more or less retardation on education
tests, while 76.4 per cent, were of more or less blunted intelligence. Again, 64.8 per cent, and
45.1 per cent, fell below a mental ratio of 85 on educational and mental tests respectively.
Some attempt has been made to gain an insight into the correlation of particular offences
to mental retardation, and, as a result of an analysis of the records of the boys over school age,
it is found that for cases of stealing and its associated offences the average number of years
retarded is 2.9, while in the case of charges involving sex offences the average retardation is 5
years. The numbers charged with the latter offence are too small to be of any real value.
Of 742 children admitted during the year and of whom there are full records, 38, or 5.1 per
cent., were defective mentally. Of these, 30 were boys and 8 girls. In addition to these, five youths
and five young women of 16 years of age were received for one night only as "place of safety"
cases pending the presentation of petitions on transfer to institutions under the Mental Deficiency
Act.
During the year 136 special reports on the physical and mental condition of the children were
submitted to the magistrates.
It is noteworthy that a very marked improvement takes place, not only in the physical condition,
but in the general bearing and behaviour of the children who have been for any length
of time in the place of detention. This improvement is due, no doubt, in large measure to improved
cultural conditions, including regular habits, clean linen and adequate sleep and good feeding.
The superintendent of the place of detention has rendered valuable assistance in keeping
the records of the cases and facilitating examinations, etc.
Mental
defectives.
Magistrates'
reports.