THE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.

Evening Star, Issue 3822, 25 May 1875, Page 2

THE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.

At the end of March last there were domici'ed in the institution at Look-out Point sixty-five boys and fifty-nine girls, but during the succeeding month—in spite of remonstrances from the master and the medical attendant the magistrates in various parts of the Province kept on making committals until the building became so overcrowded that the Government had to cause additional accommodation to be at once provided. Tho-e additions are now nearly completed, the principal being a large and commodious schoolroom, which has been placed in a very commanding position, and at some distance from the main building. The average cost of maintenance has been 4s 6d per head per week, which is fivepence less than last year. The thrifty habits of the children who have been placed at service is evidenced by the fact that they have to thfir credit in the Post Office Savings’ Bank the very respectable sum of L 444, or nearly LlO a-piece. Of these children Mr Britton reports

During the year fourteen boys and six girls have been at service, where they still remain, and are giving reasonable satisfaction ; this information is obtained through personal visits of myself and the police stationed in various parts of the Province. Thirteen boys and four girls have also been licensed out to

their relation* and friends, This method of licensing to relation*! has boon adopted with the view of tttlll kanplng auporviition over the children, and it hj«» had very beneficial results; for the parents being liable to unexpected visits from cither myaelf or tbo police, take better care of the children, and in many instances those that wore formerly allowed to run about idle and wild, are now kept regularly at school, and belter looked after in every way. Six boys have been placed on board the training ship at Kohimarama, Auckland, [Since the report was written six more boys have been sent to the naval training school.] I have received two letters from the boys, who state that they are contented, and one from the captain, who says they are giving satisfaction.

The difficulty that is experienced in getting the children boarded out is referred to by the Inspector (MrHislop), who says I regret to find there is an indisposition to receive them to the extent that might be expected or desired. In very few cases have young children been taken from the Institution. It is only when the boys and girls are old enough and stronc enough for work that families are willing to receive them, and it is a small proportion of the inmates of whom this can be said. Besides, it is extremely undesirable that the children shoiud be sent out before they have received a fair amount of school instruction, for in most cases there is no chance of their having an opportunity of receiving it after leaving the Institution. I am well aware that in older communities than ours the children could be boarded with poor but respectable families for payment in money; but it must be evident to everyone sufficiently acquainted with the present social condition of this Colony that no satisfactory arrangement of this kind is as yet possible here. Except in very rare instances, we have never found persons willing to receive our Industrial School children, unless they had the prospect of “ taking it out of them ” in the shape of work. I am confident that very few, if any families in OtagOj with whom the children could be placed with safety, could be found willing to receive them for any mere money consideration, unless perhaps for an amount altogether out oi the question. I fear, therefore, that there is nothing for it but to make up our minds to pro vide sufficient accommodation for these children in the Industrial School until they are old enough and strong enough to render their services of value in the families of respectable settlers.

Since the Government have recognised the immediate necessity that exists for providing a more site, where, to use Mr Hislop’s words, “ suitable buildings could be erected, and farming and ether occupations carried on to a more satisfactory and profitable extent than is at present possible,” there is no need to allude to those portions of the report which call attention to that matter. We would, however, press upon the Government the desirability of granting Mr Britton more assistance. To properly look after 140 children is more than the master and matron, assisted by one nurse, can be fairly expected to do.