INCORRIGIBLE GIRLS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3778, 26 November 1907, Page 2

INCORRIGIBLE GIRLS.

In reference to the statements made by the Rev. F. P, Fendall, of Rangiora, concerning the treatment of girls at the Te Oranga Home, the Hon. G. Fowlds says the position is this: ‘‘One of the most serious offences that these girls commit is absconding from the Home and their conduct when they got out. We have had cases previously where , girls have got away, and after several days’ search we have found them-. consorting with men promiscuously in isolated places or in houses fame. In this particular case there ~ was one very bad girl, who was the ringleader of an organised tempt to get ten girls to run She and another girl got through a manhole in the roof and secreted themselves in a position whence they could get away at night when everything was quiet. When the two girls were missed the usual search was instituted in the vicinity. While the search was going on two more girls cleared out, but fortunately were met by one of the attendants who was m searching for the other two, and 4 they were taken back to the Home, Rater on in the evening, while the two girls were still undiscovered, one of the girls who had consented to abscond made a full confession to the manager that the ringleader had asked about ten girls to go out with her, and they had arranged to live in a house of ill-fame in Christchurch. She also revealed to the manager and a constable who was helping in the search the place where the two girls had secreted themselves. This being considered one of the most seripus cases of misconduct, the two ringleaders were punished with a straps and in accordance with the usual Custom the whole case was reported to the Minister, with a recommendation that the extreme punishment of cutting the hair of the two ringleaders should be inflicted. Considering all the circumstances of the case, I felt justified in giving the necessary consent, and their hair was cut off accordingly. The punishment inflicted was in accordance with the regulations, and the cutting off of a girl’s hair is not only the strongest deterrent on misconduct that can be inflicted, but is a great help in detecting girls and getting them home. With the class of girls, that sometimes get into these institutions ordinary methods would be futile in order to prevent the possibility of a recurrence of circumstances justifying the course that has been taken in this case. The Department is proposing to put up an acMitional building in which the worst class of offenders can be isolated. The Department has no fear of the result of the fullest enquiry into the management of the institution, and the question*of holding such an enquiry will be considered by the Government, but it has to be borne in mind that quite serious charges were made against the management of the Burnham School a little over a y ear ago, and after an exhaustive enquiry costing over the finding of the Commission was wholly in commendation of the school.