WALTHAM ORPHANAGE INQUIRY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8044, 3 February 1906, Page 2

WALTHAM ORPHANAGE INQUIRY

A LADY'S TESTIMONY. I'Elt I'HESS ASSOCIATION". CiiHisicHDiicir, February 2. Tlie Waltham Orphanage enquiry was resumed. Canon Ooates spoke strongly in favor of tkc matron. His experience had been that the children all respected and liked her. He thought the supplies for the Orphanage were cut rather fine, . Emily Black, a member of the Charitable Aid Board, said she had visited the Orphanage many times and everything seemed squalid and miserable, The arrangements for bathing were very bad. '1 lie Board did not look kindly on suggestions for reform from women members. Mrs Carpenter was not fit to be matron. She did not appreeinte her responsibilities. She was a fairly eflicient inspector, but was no matron. Her conversation was course, and her reports often ill advised. The homes in which the children were boarded out were not satisfactory. She believed the secretary dominated the Board more than he should do.

Evidence was given by Mrs Marguerite Williamson, formerly a member of the Wanganui Charitable Aid and Hospital Board, in support of the cottage home system for children.

.Lhotnas C. Norris, Secretary of the North Canterbury Charitable Aid Board, said there had always been a great deal of trouble in connection with the Orphanage, the master and matron having to be dismissed about 18' JO. l_I hen the Board decided to adopt the boarding-out system, for the children were best in homes. After the Board adopted the system, sonic of the Local Bodies undertook the work of inspection. That practise fell iuto disuse, and the Board obtained reports from reputable people in the various localities. The enquiry was adjourned till 10.30 oil Wednesday.