INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 27, 29 July 1871, Page 8

INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS.

[lndependent, July 28.] A Hawke’s Bay contemporary —the “ Telegraph” to wit —in a recent issue laments that there is no provision for establishing industrial schools in New Zealand, and that the colony is without one single reformatory institution. It can scarcely be supposed that our contemporary — arrogant and egotistical as he is—-is ignorant beyond tho average of his readers, and it may, therefore, bo useful to make a few remarks on this important subject. The first proposal to pass a law for establishing a reformatory institution it is somewhat interesting at present to note, was made by the same person who first proposed the establishment of a University in New Zealand —we mean Mr Macandrew, Superintendent of Otago. It is also a very suggestive coincidence that both institutions have made a successful beginning in that province under his supervision, and in that province alone. Immediately after his election to the office of Superintendent for the second time, Mr Macandrew vigorously prosecuted enquiries with a view to meet what he felt to be the great want of a reformatory institution for neglected and criminal children. Mr Branigan, the then Commissioner of Police, rendered him much valuable assistance, and during his official career there, took a marked interest in the institution which was soon after established.

One of the very first paragraphs in the first speech of Mr Macandrew to his Council called attention to the subject, and promised that a bill would be laid before the Council for the establishment of a reformatory. Accordingly a bill was passed in the Council tor that purpose. This bill was disallowed by the Governor, but at next session of the Colonial Parliament, Mr Stafford (Premier) passed a measure almost identical with it, the chief difference being that where the words—the province of Otago (then a very hateful sound in

Mr Stafford’s ears) occurred, the words “ the colony of New Zealand” were substituted. Mr Stafford, in moving the second reading of the bill, remarked, as we learn from “ Hansard,” “that this bill sought to ameliorate the condition of children who had been absolutely neglected, or who had been guilty of crime. It was founded on a law which had been for some time in operation in Victoria, and was very nearly identical with a bill passed by the Provincial Council of Otago, which lie regretted that the Government had been obliged to disallow, as in some respects ultra vires.” Mr Stafford, therefore, has the honor of first legislating on the subject, and did not think then, nor does he now—the frantic assertions of his injudicious friends notwithstanding, that a Colonial Ministry should not pass a measure unless it is perfectly original, and has never been suggested or sketched by anyone before. On the contrary, he paid the highest compliment in his speech to the Provincial Solicitor of Otago for drawing up the bill lie was obliged to disallow, and proved his sincerity by adopting it, with scarcely any alteration, as a colonial measure. It is not our intention at present to dwell upon the provisions of ibis Act. We hasten to notice that last session Mr Macandrew got it amended in one important particular. The Amended Act provides that, notwithstanding anything in the twenty-third section of The Neglected and Criminal Children Act 1867 to the contrary, it shall be lawful for the Superintendent of any province to grant to any inmate in any industrial or reformatory school established within the province of which he is the Superintendent, such a license as in the said section is mentioned, for a longer term than three years, but not exceeding five years, and to place such inmate on trial before the expiration of one half of the term of detention originally allotted to such inmate if he shall think fit so to do” or as more shortly expressed in the margin. “ Inmates of industrial or reformatory schools may be put out to service for any period and at any time.” Our contemporary will see therefore that be is wrong in asserting that, no legal provision has been made for establishing reformatory schools throughout New Zealand. We proceed now to show that he is equally mistaken when be says that none exist. We cannot do this better than l>y appending the report on the industrial school of Otago, laid on the table by the Provincial Secretary, on May 81, 1871, reserving all comment for a future occasion. Police Office, Dunedin, April 261.1 i, 1871. To the Provincial Secretary, Dunedin. Sir, —I have the honor to forward herewith a report from the master of the industrial school, together with an estimate of expenses for the maintenance of the school for the ensuing year. I have to report that the institution is conducted most- satisfactorily; the utmost attention being paid to the health and education of the children. I fully endorse the master’s recommendation as to the necessity of a separate establishment for the female children, I think that such a course would be more advisable than making addition to the present buildings. I beg to recommend the matron’s salary be advanced to —say fifty pounds (50) per annum ; as at present she is paid at ten pound (£10) a-year less than the female servants under her. —I have, &c., T. X. Weldon, Commissioner of Polce. Industrial School, Look-out Point, Caversham, April, sth, 18 7 1. To T. K. Weldon, Esq, Inspector. Sir, —In furnishing you with my usual annual report of this institution, to the 31st ultimo, I have the honor to inform you that there are at present located here, 00 children, viz, 50 boys and 40 girls. 25 boys and 10 girls have been received into the school, 4 boys and girls licensed out to service, and 5 bays (including the two Maoris from Invercargill), and 5 girls discharged during the past twelve months, leaving as above stated, 00 children in the institution. During the last twelva months a considerable addition has been made by the erection of dormitories for both sexes, and also kitchen ; this was thought to be ample accommodation for some time to come, but at present the Institution is quite full, and still further accommodation will in all probability be required. The nature of out-door employment for the boys is, as heretofore, keeping the kitchen garden in full cultivation, in addition to which, they have removed the remainder of the growing flax from the ground, and thoroughly cleared it, and it is now ft for cultivation. The girls are occupied in making, mending, washing, &c, the various articles of apparel, bed-linen, &c, required for the institution.

The whole of the children, “ with the exception of those too young,” attend the school daily, under the direction of Mr Colee, the

teacher, and I am happy to say, they are progressing favorably. Those boys who are employed out of doors, and the girls who make, mend, &e, &c, attend school on alternate days, and the religious training of the whole is attended to by Protestant and Roman Catholic teachers on Sundays ; the Protestant portion of the children also attend Church in Caversham every Sunday, weather permitting, and the Roman Catholic portion are visited by ministers of their own denomination.

The general health of the children has been good, with the exception of an infant female child, who was in a weakly slate on its admission and still continues so ; the visiting surgeon attends weekly, but since the little child just mentioned did not improve in health, has visited oflener, as required. The conduct of the children during the past year has been uniformly good. During the past year 4.V acres of ground belonging to the institution have been ploughed twice and sown down in oats and grass, and the former sold at £4 5s per acre, and a good blade of grass is now shewing. During the financial year just ended, the total amount for salaries and supplies amounts to £ll7O 8s lid. Exclusive of this amount, £29 4s 4<d was expended in ploughing, sowing, purchase of seed, &c., Szo. The sum of £B3 19s Gd has been received for maintenance and sale of sand from the land which, if deducted from cost of supplies, will give 5s Gjd per week, for the maintenance of the average number 0f75 children, Including servants, school teacher, and surgeon’s salaries, and every other expense attached to the institution. I have much pleasure in bringing under your notice the very satisfactory way Mr Colee conducts his scholastic duties since his appointment;, and the beneficial effect the children derive from his instructions.

I would in conclusion, draw your attention to the probable increase in the number of inmates, especiulv since the annexation of Southland to this province, no less than six children have been received here from Invercargill during the past fortnight. Should such be the case, additional accommodation must of necessity be provided ; and I would further point out the advisability of an entirely separate building being erected for (lie girls on the west side of the road lending to Mornington. Although the number of children has largely increased of late, there has been no additional assistance: only a cook and nurse are employed in addition to the varied occupations of myself and wife.—l have, &c., Benjamin Briton, Master.