THE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2556, 27 April 1871, Page 2

THE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.

Although the whole educational system of Otago is truly valuable, it is open to question whether the provision made for training the humblest or that for teaching the highest class, is the most to be commended. N either would be perfect without the other. Our University is to be the means of supplying the highest possible education to those who have been fortunately placed in circumstances to enable them to pass through the necessary intellectual training. The comfortable surroundings in which their childhood and youth have been passed arc a guarantee for their moral and social training. But it is different with those less favorably situated. In every community there are children growing up amid gross immorality. Their p rents are degraded ; their associations vicious, and in most cases dishonest. Left to such care as they would receive instead of adding to the prosperity of society, they would be worse than a dead weight upon it : they would become units of the danger us class, and run a career of crime, misery, and ruin to themselves and others. To save them from this, and fit them for an honorable future, is the design of the Industrial School. It was truly said of his Honor the Superintpn4e.pt that, if lie l]q.d done nothing during his fate term pf office but found that school, he would have reason to feel he had accomplished a great work ; and those who have had opportunity, like ourselves, of witnessing poor, lost, neglected children, mercifully ordered by the magistrate to be cared for there, and then to see them while resident within the walls of the Institution, will cordially agree in that opinion. A visit of inspection will well repay the time devoted to it. Since last we were there the number of children increased, and so has the work they have done. Mr and Mrs Britten, the master and matron, evidentlv continue to feel the same warm interest they evinced when first they were placed in charge of the children. They have under their care ninety-three <1 both sexes. Already about thirteen have been placed in situations where they receive fair wages, and applications have been made for others. This is not to be wondered at, for the elder children are not only educated but trained tiie boys to outdoor occupations, the girls to domestic duties. The greater part of the household work is done by the elder girls. They wash and clean and mend. When we visited the School three girjs wpre employed looking over the clothes that ha 4 been

brought la from the laundry, .and were carefully examining them to sed that any damage, was made good, and that ro buttons Were wanting. We saw those girls some time ago under very different circumstances, looking far less happy and healthy. Their diligence and tidiness wore shown, not only by their dress, but by the little heaps of flannel underclothing, folded carefully and placed for inspection. On looking over the dormitories, the extreme care and cleanliness observable were most creditable. The floors were beautifully clean. Each child has a separate bed. The clothes were all turned down with almost mathematical precision, and each displaying the whitest sheets covered by the brightest of rugs. The master’s room separates the sleeping room of the elder boys from that of the girls, and the younger children are under the care of a nurse, who has them immediately under her charge in a separate part of the building. Besides learning household duties, the younger children are committed to the care of the elder, who thus learn something of nursery duty. Two children of two years of age were thus being attended to by the elder girls. The arrangement; for meals is worth notice. The dishes and plates are all of ironware enamelled, and kept in the best possible order. This department is at present under the immediate eye of Mrs Britten, who, in addition too: her duties, is compelled to act as cook. The cookery is done by means of a large American stove. The dining room has a long table with forms for seating those who can feed themselves, while round the room are ranged other seats for less advanced inmates. While the arrangements inside the house evince care and skilful organisation, it is evident the best is made of somewhat niggardly means outside. The play-ground, for instance, requires asphalting, so that the children may be able to enjoy out-door sports in Winter and showery weather without their cloths and hands and feet being draggled with mud. The Government might well afford this, for we venture to say that there is not a public institution in the Colony where so much is done at s > little public cost. For instance, there are about two acres of land under cultivation, and largo drum head cabbages, carrots, turnips, and potatoes for the use of the house are grown abundantly. The boys capable of labour are engaged in trenchingthe ground and preparing for more effectual cultivation next year. Work is made to alternate with school duties, so that industrial and intellectual training proceed together. Toe school is conducted by Mr. Colcc, on the same system as is followed in our district schools. Most of the children write well, and gave intelligent answers to questions put to them. Mr. Colee has evidently his heart in his work. We were amused at some of the ingenious plans he has been obliged to adopt to give infraction in physical geography. A few pounds laid out in proper apparatus would materially lighten his labour. Mr. Britten has strictly followed the magistrates’ instructions as to the religious instruction of the children, so that no complaint can be made on the part of any sect of Christians on that score. The Roman Catholic children are taught from the Douay version of the Bible, and every care is taken to respect the religious tenets of the parents. This has been effected without any apparent difference between the children, who all seem to regard Mr. and Mrs. Britten as if they were parents. We'have not thought it necessary to go into more minute f’etail of the school, as we have before described it; but on one point we observe our former suggestion has not been carried, out. There is between the high road and the house a roa l which requires either metal or gravel to render it serviceable in all weathers. The expense would not be much, while the saving would be great. If it is used in wet weather without protection it will be cut to pieces, and be a source of dirt and annoyance which will entail extra labour in keeping the house and its inmates clean ; and wc know nothing more discouraging than to have this additional trouble thrown upon the establishment when it might be avoided by a very trilling outlay. We hope on tur next visit to sse this remedied.