CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1729, 4 September 1879, Page 3

CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held yesterday afternoon.

Present—Mr Thomson (chairman), the Mayor of Ohristchurch, the Mayor of Sydenham, Mr Brown, and Dr. Turnbull. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman mentioned that he had been told by the chairman of the Domain Board that it was doubtful if they could in future keep the Charitable Aid Board's men going, as they had no funds. The following report from the hospital committee were read;—

The hospital committee report that the hard labor gang have been engaged in levelling the new drying ground and making a good road and approaches to the new morgue. They have also cleared the creek rutmiat? between the two fences behind the hospital, all the willow and poplar trees have bees topped, and a great many of the toppings split up for firewood.

The new morgue is nearly finished, and the public works department are now preparing tho fittings. At tho suggestion of the chairman of the hospital staff, a new operating table wag applied for, and will be granted. The garden is being prepared, and will be fully used for roaring the vegetables, &o„ that will be required by the hospital.

A small stove will be substituted for an open grate in one of the female wards, as a convenience for the nurses. . , A leakage in one of the male wards is being attended to. The room re;ommended for a library by the committee has been fitted up, and the books are in course of arrangement. The signboards have also been placed in the grounds. During the past been admitted into the hospital, and 30 have been discharged ; during the same period there have been 3 deaths.

The servants' sitting-room haa been covered with matting throughout, and made comfortable.

'I he hospital committee report that they have considered the question of granting passes to the nurses and servants, and given directions that in future leave of absence is only to be granted twice a week for two hours. Directions have also been given that not more than one-sixth of the nurses and servants are to absent at aDy one time.

The reports were adopted. A letter was read from H. H. Knowles, secretary of the Kaikoura County Council, accepting the terms of the Hospital Board for sending patients from that county to the Cbristchurch Hospital. The question of the difference in. the Hospital staff, on the charges against Mr Campbell of a breach of professional etiquette,: correspondence was read, being'letters from Dr Patrick and Dr. EHis, giving detailed reasons for their resignation as members of the medical staff. A letter was also read from Mr D. Campbell, inclosing a letter written by that gentleman on the Bubject to Dr. Brown, of Dunedin, whom he requested to .obtain the opinion of the medical faculty in that city on the merits of the case, stating the circumstances out of ; which the present difficulty had arisen. Correspondence was also read from Mr Campbell, in explanation and defence of the action he had taken in reference to the case of Shepherd, including letter from Dr. Brown in reply to Mr Campbell's letter of inquiry, arid one from Dr. Batchelor expressing the opinion obtained from members of the medical fraternity in Dunedin, that Mr Campbell had committed no breach of professional, etiquette. The Board then entered into consideration o£ the position. Resolved that the letters of Messrs Patrick and Campbell be acknowledged. Mr J. E. Brown moved—" That the resignations of Dr. Ellis and Mr Patrick, as members'of the Hospital staff, be accepted." Mr Ick seconded the motion, which was carried.

At this stage the Board decided to go into committee.

On resuming, the following resolution was reported : —" That applications be invited by advertisement to fill up the vacancies on the Hospital staff." Several accounts for the past fortnight wore passed .for payment. Mr March read a report of the inmates of the Orphanage as follows : That on July 31st there were in the institution, boys 62; admitted 2 ; leaving 64, there being no withdrawals; girls 37; admitted 1, leaving 38 girls. A report from Mr J. P. Restell, inspector of schools, as to the Orphanage schools, was submitted as follows :

Orphanage school, Lyttelton, examined July 15th, 1879. Present at examination, 85. Teachers, Mr J. C. Sopp, master: Mr Catterick, assistant; Miss Kissel, girla' mistress.

Presented in standards, 56 ; passed up, 54; percentage 96. All scholars who have passed from a given standard under the old regulations to one of the same grade under the new, are reckoned as passed up. Most of them have passed to a higher grade, a result which, without_ much leniency, the long interval since last examination has permitted with ease. The per aentago of success does not include all passed up, but only those who passed the standard attempted. Tho resultß are fair for the titxe since last examination. The schools are at present separated according to the sexes. The classes in the girlß* school consist of one, fonr, and fourteen girls respectively in Standards IV., 111., 11., and 1., the latter being the infants. These numbers are not sufficient for the formation of separate classes. There are enough boys and girls (infants), to form a good class, nnd they could be taught much more cheerfully and efficiently in an infant school than while compelled to be quiet for fear of interrupting the work of other classes. The Kindergarten is especially applicable to and desirable for schools of this kind, and the more so here because some of the children are of degenerate origin and feeble intellect. The system blends amusement with instruction, and develops the intelligence of little children. I stroDgly recommend its introduction here. .. The mixing of the classes above the infants would save mnch waste of teaching power, and. would conduce to the more efficient instruction of the older orphans of both sexes. Few of the boys are over twelve years of age, and the supervision is efficient, providing that its efficiency can be always maintained, and under proper organisation I cannot foresee_ any evils to counteract the advantages to be gained by conducting the school on the mixed system, but in that case all the assistant teachers should be females. I observe with much p!easure i the improved character and tone of the institution. The prison discipline and the cringing servility, formerly so noticeable, have given place to more frank, while sufficiently respectful, demeanour; and instead of the Orphanage being a phce for visiting the sins of the parents upon the children, it has become more like an orphans' home nnder kindly influence and the sympathy of parental control. I have no longer cause to complain of the " passive content " and the " absence of _ cheerfulness " among the orphans. In an institution which is to its inmateß their only home as well as their school, it is satisfactory to observe some relaxation of discipline out of sehoo hours, while perfect command and prompt obedience are the rule.

With regard to the progress made and the present proficiency of the orphans, iu former reports I had to complain that they were backward for their ago as compared with district school children.

I am glad to be able to state that this discrepancy is disappearing. The regular attendance and the constant control should, in fact, permit of something more than tho ordinary average of attainments. The school was at some disadvantage in the examination, owing to the lists showing the former classification having been for several months withheld from the master, and possibly also from the uncertainty when an examination would take place. The scholars having, however, been taught in accordance with their fitness, satisfactory progress has been made, and under all the circumstances the standard regime was not strictly applied. In the district schools, childron receive no instruction in the truths of religion, this duty devolving upon their parents; but as this is both the home and the school of the orphans, I felt it to be a duty to examine them in Bible history, and I find that proper attention is paid to it. The ordinary subjects are efficiently taught, also vocal music, chiefly by ear in each school. The performances were creditable ; some of the part singing and the sacred music were really very good. I think that the theory r«nd notation of music shouH be taught; and this could be done with much better effect by the master to both sexes than in separated schools. The singing for the infant classes should be chiefly by ear, and quite distinct in its kind (rom that given to the oiler scholars.

Since in many schools unsuitable songs are sung ; this fact leads me, without prejudice, to recommend school songs of the Kindergarten series, which are well adapted both to the minds and the voices of children. Linear and freehand drawing, now introduced as ordinary requirements into the colonial schools, might be taught here with advantage. A knowledge of at the least so much of elementary science as relates to such common things as food, clothing, health, cleanlines?, and of the lever, wedge, and other mechanical powers, is desitable. This subject might be commenced in the clashes which have passed the third standard; but easy exercises in drawing might be commenced in the first in such a way as to combine amusement with instruction.

(Signed) J. P. "Restei-l, Inspector of Schools. August, 1879. The Mayor of Christchnrch gave notice for next meeting of the following resolution : —" That this Board take into consideration tho appointment of a legaHy qualified resident Burgeon, at a salary of £ — per annum." The Board then adjourned.