BURNHAM INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2322, 13 September 1881, Page 4

BURNHAM INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.

I.—Mbmobandum by thk InspbotobGbhbbai, OS Sohooxs. The statistics of the school are shown with sufficient detail in the report of the Minister of Education (June 25th, 1881) in a Parliamentary paper (E.-l, 1881.) I visited the school for the first time on the 24th of January, 1880. My report dealt first with the question of drainage, which has since been very satisfactorily settled ; and next with the necessity for increased dormitory space, which has been amply provided for by the building of a new schoolroom and a house for the manager. Nothing worse than a little trouble and temporary inconvenienoe was endured, by having to make np beds in places not devote •! to dormitory purposes, until the space occupied by the school and the master's family was set free by the occupation of the new buildings. The health of the children has always been wonderfully good. In the early part of the year it became manifest that the manager was not quite equal to the duties he had to perform. His services were therefore dispensed with, and Mr Maddison was appointed, and began work in April, 1880. After visiting the institution in November (on the 2nd, 3rd, and 29fch), I reported as follows :—" Mr and Mrs Maddison appear to me to be well fitted for the work they have undertaken. They have been steadily making improvements ever sinoe thoy entered upon their duties." In the same report (of which a copy is attached) I Btrongly recommended a reorganisation of the day school, the results of its work at that time being very unsatisfactory, as evidenoed by Mr Edge's report and the state of the children when I examined them myself. A new schoolmaster has since been appointed. Mr Pope visited the school on the 10th and 11th of June, 1881, and his report affords reason for believing that a great improvement has been effected. The sohoolmaster's wife was to have been his assistant in the school. She, however, has found it necessary to resign, and her place has been filled by a new appointment made onlr a few weeks ago. The last ooeasion on which I spent a few hours at the institution was in April. I saw many signs of progress, and nothing to call for adverse criticism except a temporary want of a mistress for the junior classes in the sohool. Mr Titchener, the manager of the Caversham Industrial Sohool, rendered very good service by visiting BurHham School several times to advise Mr Maddison while he was new to his work. Wit. Jas. Habbhs. Wellington, July, 1881. 3—Rbpobt bt Medical Ofpiobb. Christchnrofa, 10th June, 1881. Sir, —I have the honor to inform you that I have recently made an inspection of the Indus trial Sohool at Burnham, and beg to report that I found the institution generally in a very orderly and clean condition. The inmates at present number 187—namely, 127 boys and 60 girls. I submit the following Statement of admissions since Ist May, 1880, to 31st Muv, 1881: Admissions from Ist Mar, 1880, to 31st October, 1880, 23 bojß. 10 girls; from Ist November, 1880, to 31st January, 1881, 7 boys, 1 girl; from Ist February, 1881, to 31st May, 1881, 19 boys, 8 girls ; total, 49 boys, 19 girls. Twelve boys and seven girls are licensed out to farmers, and seven boys and five girls are licensed out with parents and friends, while two have been discharged under the Aot. The newly-ereoted buildings have made the institution exceedingly oomfortable, and afforded sufficient room for the accommodation of about sixty more inmates. The sleeping compartment is divided into seven dormitories, including the infanta' department. The old schoolroom is now occupied as a dining-room. The new schoolroom is well-ventilated, and admirably adapted for the purpose. The drainage, as far as constructed, answers very well. As the most effectual mathod of getting rid of the solid refuse, &?., I have advised that it bo burnt to ashes in the open air. The liquid sewage is carted away and distributed over the land (which is of very poor quality) at some distance from the buildings ; and the oloset excreta is periodically buried in the soil. I have to remark that the closets in the girls' department are cot suitable, and more seats are required. (This has now been attended to, July, 1881.) The bath-rooms are now properly divided, and very complete in their appointments. The last allusion naturally leads me to call your particular attention to the question of an adequate water supply. Although there is a windmill to raise water from the well, also a large concrete tank on the premises in which the rain water is colleoted, the supply is frequently deficient, and recourse has to be mado to carting water from the river Selwyn, distant four miles from the institution. In an establishment of suoh size and importacc?, a good, ample, and unfailing water supply is a desideratum. I would therefore reoommend the Government to instruct their Engineer to furnish an early report on the feasibility of directing into the grounds of the institution a branch from the Malvern water-race. which, it is reported, may soon be brought within two or three miles of the school. I may further remark that, besides ; being desirable for fire extinction and other purposes, the water might be utilized in irrigating the land, which, as I have before intimated, ia poor and light. There are now 200 acres laid down in grass, 100 aores in turnips; the live stock consists of 550 sheep, thirteen cows, and five horses for farming purposes. It would undoubtedly be a move in the right direction for direotion for the Government to encourage

the laying down in grass of as muoh land as possible (while teaching the elder hoys), to render the institution more self-supporting. The ohildreu are making good progress in, their education. When an efficient schoolmistress is appointed, there would he little more te be desired ia this direction. Musis is taught; a bandmaster attends twice a week and is forming a brass band, with considerable success. Religious services are held on Thursdays and Sundays. The only addition to the teaching staff that might be deemed desirable would be the appointment of an efficient sewing mistress, so as to onable the institution to keep a proper supply of new clothing in stock, while tbe old clothes could be repaired ; and instructions might be given with advantage in knitting socks and etockingo, and articles of a tirnilar nature. The ohildren, excepting the younger ones, who are suffering from chilblains, are in good health, and s.'em to be happy and well cared for. Taking into consideration the_ period during whioh the institution has been in existence, and the oondition of the majority of the ohildren when admitted, there is reason for congratulation in the fact that two deaths only have occurred—namely, Sarah Way, aged three years, who died on the 27th October, 1877, and William Smith, aged six years, who died on the 3rd Deoember, 1879. The first was a very delicate child, suffering from curvature of the spino and rickets, and in a very poor condition. The latter died from croup, after one day s illness, and before I oould be summoned to attend him. I have invariably taken the precaution to remove at an early stage, into the Ohristohuroh Hospital, any oases indicating febrile or enteric symptoms, as a preventive against contagion, and also on tho ground of economy. The rations that I inipeoted I found to be of good quality. The master informed me that the only instance of any complaint was on one oooasion when tho bread was insufficiently baked, and this breach was very readily reotified by tho contractor. I trust I may not _be considered presumptuous in drawing the attention of the Government to the serious consequences that may arise from tbe inmates of both sexes being kept in the same institution to the advanced age of sixteen or seventeen years. Notwithstanding the utmost vigilance, care, and attention, any immorality occurring would be a stain on tho management of the institution, and seriously impair its usefulness. Taking iato consideration oharaoter, early education, and hereditary tendency, it appears to me a question that ought to be answered as to whether the two sexes ought not to be placed in separate establishments. The present place might be maintained for the boys, for teaching them farming, trades, &0., while one for the girls might be located nearer Ohristohuroh, a large area of land being unnecessary. While learning cooking, house and needlework, &s., the girls might frequently be visited by ladies, a praotioe that does not now obtain, but which would tend to impart a higher tone of feeling and character. Any girls wishing to be instructed in dairy work could be apprenticed out to farmers. In conclusion, I must pay a tribute of praise to the whole staff of servants, who appear to be particularly painstaking, and doing all in their power to make the management of the institution effective and creditable. G-enorally, I am happy to be able to inform you that I was very favorably impressed with the result of my inspection. I have, &c, H. H. Pbinß. The Hon. the Minister of Education.