THE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL, CAVERSHAM.

Evening Star, Issue 3116, 13 February 1873, Page 2

THE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL, CAVERSHAM.

How very different the impression made on the mind by reading the descriptions of some of the Old World orphanages written by Charles Dickens and others, and that received by a personal visit to almost any one of our Colonial Orphanages or Industrial Schools. The one is gloomy and depressing ; the other, as a rule, is cheerful, refreshing, encouraging. The Industrial school at C 'Versham is not only a positive illustration of the latter assumption, but also au instance of the great amount of good that two or three b’nevolent, right-thinking people can do. The school was first opened with about fifty children—boys and girls—and was placed under the charge of Mr and Mrs Britton, with whom the management still rests. Most of those children were drawn from the very dregs of society. After undergoing a coarse of training, they were placed in situations, and it is pleasing to observe that few of them have returned to the bad habits first taught them by their parents. Thefe are at present in the Institution fifty-eight boys and forty girls, varying in ago from a few months to ten or eleven years.' The entire work of the establishment, including the cultivation of a large vegetable garden, is carried on by them, under the guidance of a gardener and two intelligentdomesticservaiits. f l be day is divided: one portion being devoted to work, another fa school duties, and a third to amusement. The children seem healthy, happy, and contented. The jpatron pjoves among them more as a companion, and seeing _to enjoy their confidence and affection. Iney gre taught by example the benefits to be derived from habits of truthfulness, industry, selfrespect and correct living j and the pleasing result is, as intimated, that most of the inmates, who und r other circumstances would probably have grown up as criminals, are prepared by proper training to take part jn t;he duties of life. Indeed, in such estimation jjU’e the labors of these excellent people held that the deipapd for children fit for situations is always in advapop of the supply. At present there are twenty-two children, boys and girls, in situations, all of whom are giving satisfaction, decently, an addition has been made to the building, providing another dormitory, and play-room for the use of the very young children in wet wea> her. It is pleasant to visit this room apd see young ones amusing themselves with all thp freedoip and comfort of a parental home. A large paddock hss been fenced in at the rear of the build jng, where a ppmher of cows are kept for the use of the Institution, Swine and poultry have been added to the stock, The current expenses of the establishment, therefore, have been considerably lessened. The schoolroom is still under the charge of Mr Collie, a careful and painstaking gentleman, and one well fitted for the post he holds. The pupils as a rule take pleasure in their studies, and manifest regret when the time arrives for their removal. The Institution, therefore, while proving a present blessing to the inmates themselves, is also a benefit to the community, in so far as it becomes a means of saving many from falling into the ranks of the criminal classes, and being ultimately food for our gaols and a consequent burden on society. It is only a matter of regret that (.here are not more such institutions existing in' the country.