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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4998, 31 March 1877, Page 2

If common report be true, in none of the colonies is larrikiniem so rampant as in Victoria. The educational system' of that colony, so excellent generally Speaking, was defective in this particular, that it made no provision for bringing .under instruction'“ neglected" children, who, from misfortune or birth, or from apathy, dr worse, - on the part of their parents or guardians, have been suffered to grow up unoared for,-- without control, or the slightest attempt to instruct them in anything good dr useful. It is from children such as these that the so-called “larrikins” have sprung, and it was for such children that the Victorian Edu-cation-Act was in a great measure designed, one of its objects being to rescue these children from the miserable prospect of a useless and vicious existence : both now and in after life. The Argus says : Hitherto the efforts of the department have been cramped in this direction by the difficulty of obtaining suitable premises for a school of; any considerable dimensions for these unfortunates, the only building available having’ been found in the Gospelhall, in Little Bourke-streetj in which, however, some good results -have been achieved. The Minister of Public Instruction has now been able to purchase, at a cost of £3OO, a building ip every, way suitable for an educational experiment among children of this class, and it is intended to - bring the hew ‘ establishment into operation 'with the least possible delay. The biiilding;,which was erected' for a synagogue, is |situated in Stephemstreet; in the very centre of a population-teeming with children of all ages more or less neglected. It is a good substantial structure 'capable of accommodating aljout 200 pupils, and it is to be at once fitted with : all the proper furniture and appliances. A gymnasium is to be erected and the whole establishment (is - to be made as complete and attractive as possible. It is greatly to be hoped.that tliis-experiraent’will prove successful, and. shdtlldf such be the case, it is intended to follow up the good work by similar institutions in such localities as may seem-to be specially in need of them. • . 1