No. 36. EXTRACT FROM ANNUAL REPORT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (ENGLAND) 1891–92. "Since the issue of our last report we have received through the Colonial Office further reports made by immigration officers of the Canadian Department of Agriculture, respecting visits made by them to the homes of children who were sent out to Canada by Boards of Guardians with our approval., These reports related to 479 such children, seven of whom could not, however, be traced by the immigration officers. "We are glad to find that, with a few exceptions, the reports are of a satisfactory nature. The children are reported to be generally contented and well-cared for, and the greater number of their homes to be free from objection. Though in many cases reference is made to faults in the character, disposition or habits of the children, there appear to have been comparatively few instances where the foster-parents have expressed an intention to part with them in consequence. The reports shew that in some of the cases the children and their foster-parents have become greatly attached to each other; and that in others the foster-parents take an unselfish and parental interest in the present and future welfare of the children committed to their keeping. There are somewhat fewer cases than formerly in which children are said to have been adopted, but it is apparent, both from the present and former reports, that the system of adoption does not, in Canada, necessarily imply that the fosterparent accepts once for all the care of a child as his own. "With regard to five homes only the reports are not favourable, and in two of these the children are stated to have been "not well used" and "not well treated or sufficiently fed." The immigration officers have reported unfavourably upon the bodily or mental condition of eight of the children, and one of those children has been returned to England as insane. "These reports show incidentally that for the most part children are placed out on the understanding that they will be boarded, clothed, and educated until they attain the age of fifteen years, after which time they are paid wages at the rate of three or four dollars per month. They also show that the homes in Canada connected with the various emigration societies are of great assistance in connection with the welfare and supervision of the children. "Children who are dissatisfied, ill, or in unsatisfactory homes, appear to be frequently received back into these homes whence they are again placed out after having received further training or medical treatment as may be necessary. "We have caused copies of the reports to be sent to the several Boards of Guardians responsible for the emigration of the children, and have requested fuller information as regards such cases as appeared to us to require explanation. |